WHO WE ARE
Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops, held annually on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College, is one of the longest-running and most successful multi-disciplinary summer arts programs in central New Jersey. Since 1973, over 7,300 junior and senior high school students have spent several weeks of their summer exploring the visual arts, dance, theater, and vocal music under the guidance of a highly qualified staff of teaching professional artists.
A FEW WEEKS CAN LAST A LIFETIME
Graduates of Tomato Patch programs have proven the value of their experience in many ways over the years. Many Tomato Patchers are now professional artists, have appeared on Broadway, or have decided to teach the arts as they were taught in Tomato Patch. Others have gone on to fulfill different life ambitions, yet many maintain lasting friendships formed in Tomato Patch.
Meet the Tomato Patch Staff
Zachary Abbruscato
Master Class Instructor
Zach is a camper turned councilor turned instructor of both Tomato Patch and Masters Class. He studied filmmaking at Montclair State University and while there directed and wrote a number of short films. Including “All Stuffed Up” and “Groovy Rudy Meets her Match.” He also was the director of the Montclair Improv Leauge and Friends throughout his college career. He hopes to continue writing and directing in the future and enjoys working with the Masters Class students”
Tim Cianfano
Director of Video Arts
Tim Cianfano is a former camper who is approaching his 6th year as an instructor at Tomato Patch! A graduate of Pace University with a focus in Filmmaking and Photography, he has specialized skillset that ranges from years as a performer and working in video production which allows him to help foster young campers passion to express themselves and foster their creativity on the stage or either side of the camera! Tim has been able to utilize the skills he learned throughout his years at Tomato Patch in the Film and Television industry, recently working on shows such as Netflix’s “Patriot Act with Hasan Minaj”, as well as a position as a Teacher’s Assistant at the New York Film Academy.
Jane Coult
Choreographer, Dance Instructor
Jane is a veteran Tomato Patch teacher, starting with the program in 2008. In addition to teaching dance, she helps with acting and music classes, including choreographing for some of those classes. She also manages the Tomato Patch office. She has taken dance classes for most of her life and has taught in area dance schools. She has also choreographed for theater groups in the area and in Northeast Philadelphia. She served on the New Jersey Association of Community Theaters Board for several years and has been nominated by the organization several times for her choreographic work at Kelsey Theatre. She is currently the resident choreographer and a board member for Maurer Productions OnStage, who perform here at Kelsey Theatre. She has a BA from Thomas Edison State College and a CPM certification.
Madelyn Curtin
Vocal Instructor
Former camper turned counselor turned instructor, Madelyn recently received her Bachelors Degree from The College of New Jersey in Music Education with a concentration in voice. Throughout her time at TCNJ, Madelyn was heavily involved in theater, directing, performing, and tech-ing. She also became an award winning a cappella arranger and music director. She prides herself in her passion and drive to fuse musicianship, pedagogy, and fun into the choral classroom. She is currently the interim choral director at the high school and middle school in Springfield, NJ.
Melissa Jackson
Director of Acting
Missy Jackson studied acting and directing at MCCC and Montclair State. After working in the entertainment field for several years, she returned to college at Rider University to pursue a double major in English Literature and Secondary Education. She has been teaching in public school for 20 years as a literacy and theater teacher. She has continued her studies with 15 master credits in curriculum and educational leadership. She loves directing her school shows, and spending her summers with her crazy TP crew!
Sean McGrath
Executive Director of Tomato Patch
Sean McGrath is a writer and teacher who lives in Bucks County. He has been the Tomato Patch director for about 20 years. He writes a good portion of the show and looks forward to seeing students perform. He has the greatest staff in the world.
Tim Moran
Acting Instructor
Tim is a member of SAG-AFTRA and holds a B.A. in Theater with a double-concentration in Acting and Directing/Stage Management from Ramapo College of New Jersey. He has been teaching acting to ages varying from 6 to 18 for over a decade. Most recently, he has been teaching Acting and Improvisation classes at ArtsForm in East Windsor.
At Tomato Patch, he is one of the Acting Major Instructors, where he also serves as one of the writers/directors for the Acting Major and Children's Theater plays. Tim also teaches classes in Advanced Acting, Improvisation, Comedy and Creative Theater.
Tim has performed on camera and on stage throughout the tri-state area. He has worked in comedy, drama, musical theater, Shakespeare, and sketch comedy. Credits include Arsenic and Old Lace (Mortimer), 12 Angry Jurors (Juror #8), Moon Over Buffalo (Paul), Romeo and Juliet (Capulet), You Can't Take It With You (Tony), The Last Place on Earth (Curtis), and It's a Wonderful Life (George Bailey).
Samantha Phillips
Director of Dance
Samantha is a former Tomato Patch camper and Kelsey Theatre performer who is now a teacher in the Hamilton School District. She has been dancing and performing since the age of 2 years, and recently graduated from The College of New Jersey with a BA in Elementary Education and Psychology. She joined the Tomato Patch team as a dance instructor in 2021 and is also the upcoming choreographer for Steinert High School musicals. She loves spending her summers with performing arts people like her!
Ken Krupa
Visual Arts Instructor
Meet the Kelsey Theatre Staff
M. Kitty Getlik
Artistic Director
It's my job to put together an exciting season each year for Kelsey, seek out good companies and individuals to bring it to life, market it, coordinate it, and greet the folks when they come to see it. Of course there's a lot more to it and I couldn't do it without a lot of help from my friends - my assistant Amy Bessellieu, my coworkers and volunteers. I get a thrill out of live theatre and want to share that thrill with everyone. That is why I strive to produce good shows at a reasonable price here at Kelsey. In my spare time - I teach Introduction to Theater (TA 101) and do theatre. I have also been a director, actress, lighting designer, and the general manager of The Open Air Theatre at Washington Crossing State Park.. In most circles, nowadays though, I am known as "Jessica's mom" - which is as it should be!
Amy Bessellieu
Administrative Specialist
My longstanding relationship with Kelsey Theatre began when I joined the Tomato Patch Program in 1980. After high school, I went on to take classes here at Mercer County Community College. I then spent several years volunteering at the Theatre before taking on a part-time job there. There were a few years when I worked elsewhere, but I just couldn't stay away! It has been my joy to be a part of Kelsey Theatre's full-time staff since 2001. When I am not handling the numerous phone calls and paperwork, you might spot me backstage, creating scenic art, making properties, or even acting! I have an associate degree in advertising design through MCCC and a bachelor’s degree in art through Thomas Edison State College. When I am not at the Theatre, I can be found cruising, watercolor painting, collecting iron on patches from my adventures, and collecting mouse figurines. Please contact me if you would like to get involved as a volunteer!
Susan Galli
Director, Tomato Patch Jr.
Susan Galli has her undergraduate degree in Theater and her Master's in Education. After college she moved overseas and acted in several New Zealand regional theater productions. She has been in several shows at Kelsey and has acted and directed at other community theaters in the region. She is also a trained gymnastics instructor and former competitive elite coach and choreographer. Susan is currently the owner and director of a private preschool in Mercer County. Susan is also the founder of Broken Leg Production Company.
Jane Coult
Chaos Coordinator
Jane is a veteran Tomato Patch teacher, starting with the program in 2008. In addition to teaching dance, she helps with acting and music classes, including choreographing for some of those classes. She also manages the Tomato Patch office. She has taken dance classes for most of her life and has taught in area dance schools. She has also choreographed for theater groups in the area and in Northeast Philadelphia. She served on the New Jersey Association of Community Theaters Board for several years and has been nominated by the organization several times for her choreographic work at Kelsey Theatre. She is currently the resident choreographer and a board member for Maurer Productions OnStage, who perform here at Kelsey Theatre. She has a BA from Thomas Edison State College and a CPM certification.
Michael Almstedt
Production Assistant
Diana Maurer
Box Office Manager
Martha DiBartolo
Box Office Swing
Sheron Williams
House Manager