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YOUTH LEADERS
THE CORE TEAM
MELANIE CORDOVA
DANCER, ACTOR, SINGER
Melanie is 20 years old and graduated from Bassick High School. Melanie has grown up in the CYP program for 10 years. She started in elementary school, through middle school and now high school. She entered the program as a dancer, but now is an actor and singer. She appeared in “From Shades to Hollywood Lights”, “Rainy Blu,” Chasing Freedom”, “Holiday Show”, “Annie the Remix”, “Lights Out”, and snagged the lead part in “Behind Closed Doors”, Melanie also choreographed a main dance number in the show, “Behind Closed Doors”.CYP has been my home away from home. I was such a shy little girl always wanting to be in the back and everyone that I have met in the program has helped shape me into the person I am today. We are not just a program, we are a family.
MARIAH K. COTTO
DANCER, ACTOR
Mariah is 18 years old in the 12th grade at Bridgeport Military Academy and she is also in the Regional Center for the Arts. Mariah has also grown up in the program going on 10 years. Mariah entered the program in elementary school as a dancer and was in shows such as “Chasing Freedom”, Rainy Blu”, “Annie the Remix, “ “Holiday Show”, “Oscar Night” and landed the lead acting part in ,” Behind Closed Doors. She played the Mom for the theatrical version for 2 years at Housatonic Community Performing Arts Center and the same part for the film version, Episode 1, 2 and 3. CYP she claims has made her a better dancer and allowed her to make goals and achieve them every year.
NORRIS TATE
MUSICIAN, PRODUCER
Norris is 21 years old who is a musician under the direction of Mr. Matthew Detroy for 3 years and played bass for all rehearsals and shows for “Behind Closed Doors”. During Covid he worked with the music department in playing and producing 7 original songs and an overture for “Behind Closed Doors.”
JUNIOR YOUTH LEADERS
DAYRA CAMPOVERDE LEMA
ACTOR, DANCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER
Dayra is 12 years old and is in the 7th grade at Black Rock School. She has been in CYP for 5 years. Dayre in her first year snagged a lead role, “Maddog” in the show “Behind Closed Doors”. She performed this role for two years at Housatonic Performing Arts Center. She has acted in smaller parts and danced in the film version of Episode 1, 2 and 3. Most recently she submitted her story on film with seven other contestants and won. She is currently working with the whole company in developing her story for film.
JERMAINE RICHARDS
ACTOR, DANCER, SINGER
Jermaine is 13 years old and is in the 6th grade. He has been in the CYP program for 5 years. Jermaine is a triple threat capable of acting, singing and dancing. He played supporting actor in the theatrical performances of “Behind Closed Doors” at Housatonic Performing Arts Center for two years. This past year he continues to use all his talents in the film version of Episode 1, 2 and 3. Jermaine is thrilled that he has been included in all the dances and likes being in a group.
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