Theatre Arts Lab x Theatre on Main
Whether you're an absolute beginner, have had a dance hiatus, looking for a creative outlet, or hone your skills, our classes provide fitness and self expression for our local community members who are looking to have performing arts as a part of their lives.
Our Story
Our pioneering small theatre company has rapidly evolved into a comprehensive performing arts center, serving as a studio of artistic excellence and education in our suburban community. Recognizing the need for diverse artistic experiences, we've expanded our offerings to include a rich tapestry of classes and workshops that bring professional instruction in the performing arts to local adults and teens in our Theatre Arts Lab.
Through the Theatre Arts Lab, we are committed to bringing quality performing arts classes taught by trained educators and professionals in the performing arts. Many of the students in these classes have appeared in our MainStage productions, as we are driven to provide performance opportunities for students wishing to take their craft to live theatre audiences. Through creating strong educational foundations in the performing arts, an important mission of our theatre is to nurture and develop local talent, and employ those who strive to take their artistic journey outside the studio.
Meet Your Instructors
Jessica Jaber
DIRECTOR
Ballet, Pointe, PBT, Stretch
During the course of her two year study for her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies from the Royal Academy of Dance, Jessica knew she aspired to create a studio for other adults to begin to dance, or continue to have dance be a part of their health and fitness routines. Jessica wanted to create a space similar to the large studios in NYC where adults with hectic and sometimes uncertain schedules could drop in and take a class when their schedules would allow. A true believer in both the joy of self expression and the proven health benefits of dance for physical and emotional well-being, she enjoys bringing her love of this fitness and art form to adults of all ages.
Jessica has trained in classical ballet for 20 years under master teachers from both the English and Russian disciplines of ballet. She has studied the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus and passed many of her graded and vocational examinations. She studied under the mentorship of Paul Lau, co-founder of the Hong Kong Ballet Company and school for her Certificate of Ballet Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance. She is a licensed Silver Swans and Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) teacher, and previously performed with Kozlov Dance International in NY, NJ and Aruba. Jessica was the Director of a Royal Academy of Dance youth ballet program in White Plains prior to opening the adult only studio. Her arts training spans over three decades of dance in modern, jazz, tap, musical theatre, ballroom, and ballet. She holds an Associate in Arts in Performing Arts and a Bachelor's of Business in Accounting from Pace University. Jessica is a member of Actor's Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.
Mara Davi Gaines
INSTRUCTOR
Musical Theatre & Open Tap
Mara is an actor/singer/dancer who has worked in New York and regionally since 2004 Her Broadway credits including A Chorus Line, The Drowsy Chaperone, White Christmas, Dames at Sea, and The Play that Goes Wrong.
Mara has taught master classes in Broadway repertoire and tap dance across the country while touring with various shows. She has always been drawn to the song and dance of classic musical comedies and golden age movie musicals and she she aims to bring style, storytelling, sweat, and smiles to each dance class.
Montana Nogrady
INSTRUCTOR & BOARD MEMEBER
Adv Beg/Beg Tap
Montana graduated from The University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in May 2018 with a BFA with Honors in Dance. She performed in works by Douglas Becker, Meredith Rainey, Tania Isaacs, Thaddeus and Tanya Davis, Milton Myers, Nora Gibson, Sidra Bell, Jesse Zaritt and Anne White, and Robert Burden. She was trained locally at Step by Step, in Cornwall, and the Darlene Wilson Institute of Dance, in Newburgh. She was a part of Orange County Ballet Theatre and performed annually in The Nutcracker and their spring performances, with repertoire including Swan Lake, Pas De Quatre, Le Corsaire and La Bayadére. With Step by Step, Montana has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and several international festivals in England, Scotland, Spain and Italy. She has been a choreographer for Step It Up’s Summer Stage, for productions of Hairspray, Shrek The Musical, School of Rock, The Addams Family, Guys and Dolls, and Chicago- High School Edition, in which she performed as Kitty and a featured dancer.
Veronica Nogrady
INSTRUCTOR
Ballet
Veronica is a Cornwall on Hudson native & began her dance training at Powers Dance Arts Centre. She has performed with numerous companies in the Hudson Valley area, including The Orange County Ballet, The Pougkeepsie Ballet Theatre, The Ulster County Ballet Theatre, & Ballet Arts Company. She is a graduate of The Hartford Ballet Teacher's Certification Program, has danced with Hartford Ballet's Studio Company, was a Guest Artist at The Simsbury Light Opera Company, a Principal Dancer & Faculty member of the Atlantic Contemporary Ballet Theatre, & performed with Capital City Opera & Ballet Orlando. She currently teaches at Step by Step, Hudson Valley Conservatory & Seven Star School of the Perf. Arts. She has choreographed the Goshen High School musicals since 2007, and her choreography has appeared at The American Alliance of Performing Arts Educators, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and abroad in London, Scotland, Barcelona, Italy and Greece.
Christina Hegdal
INSTRUCTOR
Contemporary/Modern
Christina Hegdal has her B.A. degree in dance from Dean College. She studied at Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and danced professionally with modern company Libertina Dance from 2007-2018. She is influenced by Horton technique , Martha Graham and Katherine Dunham but over the years has found resonance with release technique and finding harmony with the natural state of the body moving through space . She enjoys incorporating lighting that evokes relaxation and mental benefit in her class and encourages her students to find the natural state in which their bodies enjoy moving .
Justin Sherwood
INSTRUCTOR
Adv Beg/Int Ballet & Pointe
(Special Session Guest Teacher)
International dancer and choreographer, Justin Sherwood, trained at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in London England, which encourages individuality and innovation in its curriculum, shaping Justin’s extremely versatile and eclectic career. He is a recipient of the Choreographic Award of Prominence by the Central St. Marten’s School of Art and Design and Cochrane Theatre in London and has choreographed critically acclaimed productions across the U.S., Hong Kong, and Albania.
As a performer, he is in his 16th season with the Metropolitan Opera, having appeared in numerous productions on their stage, including working with some of today’s best Film and Broadway directors like Julie Taymor, Robert LePage, Anthony Minghella, and Mary Zimmerman. In addition to his ballet and contemporary experience, Mr. Sherwood is also a gifted gymnast, having performed with crossover companies, incorporating elements of acrobatics and dance.
As an educator, Justin is an ABT® Certified Teacher, completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum, and teaches at many recognized dance schools and resident companies.