We are a team of talented professionals with a wide range of skills and experience. We love to create and we create with passion. We are artists.
Maryann Irizarry
President
Maryann has been working in local theater for over 12 years starting with the Clifton High School Fall Play in 2007 when her son was cast in the show. She had always been a sewer, since Mom taught her how to make Barbie Doll clothes way back when, and found creating costumes was quite enjoyable. In 2009, she joined the Theater League of Clifton, costuming shows, moving into producing shows and becoming their Vice President. After a 10 year run with the Theater League, she is anxiously looking ahead to the new theater endeavor in North Jersey – Kismet. At Kismet, she will have a chance to Produce and Costume shows and have a greater role in defining and developing the business of theatre.
Kathleen Kellaigh
Vice President
Formerly of the CBS soap opera, GUIDING LIGHT, Ms. Kellaigh is an “all-around” theatre professional, equally at home on stage, in front of the camera, directing, producing, writing and teaching. Graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois, with a BFA in Theatre/Acting, her on-stage performances have been commended as “stellar,” “right on the mark,” “delightful,” and “stand-out,” and the shows she has directed have received similar accolades. Ms. Kellaigh co-founded Action Theatre Conservatory (ATC Studios) with her husband Joel Robertson in 1990 and has served as the Artistic Director since its inception. She has directed NYC/world premieres, as well as such shows as Cabaret , Rent, Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific, Mousetrap, Chicago, Pippin, California Suite, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Our Town, and Narnia. Her musical Journey, for which she wrote the book and lyrics, received its premiere production in 2005. Her bio appears in several editions of Marquis’ Who’s Who, including Who’s Who in Entertainment, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and Who’s Who in American Women– Millennium Edition, and she is proud to be featured in Who’s Who in American Teachers.
Judi Layne Niebuhr
Vice President
Judi started dancing at age 3 and acting at age 6. After years of taking on the role of dance captain, she was offered the chance to choreograph her first full show, “All Shook Up” and never looked back. Favorite roles include Ella in “Bells Are Ringing”, Nancy in “Oliver!” and Hodel in “Fiddler on the Roof”. Choreography credits include Godspell, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Iolanthe and A Christmas Carol. Judi holds a BA in Speech and Theater from Montclair State University, and studied dance at Dance World Academy in Clifton.
Tara Freifeld
Secretary
Tara found her love of theatre at a young age, thanks Mom & Dad! Tara was first cast in a HS production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, it was at that point that she decided she is happier working off stage. Tara spent the rest of her HS years stage managing the Fall and Spring shows. In 2010 Tara joined the board of the Theater League of Clifton, she stage managed for them from the Fall of 2011 until the Fall of 2018 , before deciding it was time to move on to another theatre endeavor. She is very excited to see Kismet get off the ground and grow into something very special.
Rebecca Shuster
Treasurer
Rebecca is an actor/director based in New Jersey, but has also performed in NYC. While acting and directing have been her main focus, she has theatre experience in costuming, running house, event planning, stage managing, and the running of both the light and sound boards. Rebecca believes that art can bring such a wonderful combination of expression, entertainment, and education to the world and we need more of it. With that in mind, she is beyond thrilled to be partaking in this new theatrical artistry that is Kismet and can’t wait to see what the Kismet family evolves into. Her favorite acting credits include Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, Evie in In Love and Warcraft, Roz in Moon Over Buffalo, Miss Amabel Pryce in Appointment with Death, Cleopatra in The Glass Slipper, and Ensign Dinah Murphy in South Pacific. Her favorite directing credit is Freckleface Strawberry.
Stephanie Mangioglu
Board Member at Large
Stephanie is a Music Director who holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, from where she has gone on to music direct countless shows and educational programs with various theatre companies throughout New Jersey. She was nominated for a 2019 NJACT Perry Award in Outstanding Musical Direction for her work with Cranford Dramatic Club’s May 2019 production of Newsies . Stephanie most recently music directed a developmental workshop for UK based writing team, Wigmore and Green. She is currently based in London, England, studying at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Stephanie loves making new connections, and looks forward to working with you on future projects! www.stephmangioglu.com
Start a dialogue with us!
Email us at: kismetperformingartiststheatre@gmail.com
Kismet Performing Artists Theatre 