Into the Woods

Director: Joel Murphy

Joel Murphy was assistant director of HAIR in 2021. Prior to that he directed And Then There Were None (Artistic Award) and was assistant director for Little Shop of Horrors in 2016. On-stage credits with Aurora Players include The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, Barefoot In The Park, The Glass Menagerie, and Grease.

Musical Director: Paul Blackwell

Paul Blackwell is a music teacher at the East Aurora School District, where he teaches three choruses, general music, music theory, and beginning guitar. He is the music director of Hope Lutheran Church in Arcade. He is also the cofounder and composer of Moonrise Musicals, a new company specializing in musicals that are more accessible to developing school music programs and community theatre. He lives in Delevan with his wife and two daughters.

Musical Director: Dr. Madeline Harts

Dr. Madeline Harts is an arts administrator, music educator, vocal coach and singer originally from East Aurora, NY. Madeline is the Executive Director of the Grammy® Award winning Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and head of music at the Buffalo Seminary. An alumnus of the Resident Artist Program for the Toledo Opera Company, both as a soprano and pianist, she performs domestically and internationally, most recently at the Salzburgfestspiele in Austria. Madeline is a doctoral graduate of the University of Miami in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance (DMA).

Choreographer: Gina Schuster

Gina Schuster’s first introduction to Aurora Players was as assistant Choreographer for HAIR. She’s also assisted for dance workshops with Unique Theatre and is a
former Zumba instructor. Gina was a music therapist at Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo for nine years before transitioning to work with the organization’s wellness program for employees this past fall.