George Warren

Artistic Director

Mr. Warren’s union affiliations are Actors Equity, Screen Actors Guild, Dance Educators of America, and the International Tap Association. He is a noted New York Teacher and performer whose students have appeared on over 50 Broadway Shows, National and International tours, National Ballet & Modern Companies, Regional Theatres across the USA, Dance & Cheer Squads for Professional Sports Teams, and in many movies and television shows. His last professional Musical Theatre appearances was the national tour of the Broadway musical, “Whoopee,” with Imogene Coca and Mamie Van Doren and still works with Brenda Bufalino and The American Tap Dance Foundation in NYC. George has been teaching in Central Jersey for 42 years and is very proud of his Center Stage family.

Amanda Chiarello

Ballet, Jazz/Hip-Hop, Lyrical/Contemporary, Company Director

Amanda received her Masters degree in Dance Education from the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. She also received her B.F.A from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.  Amanda trained at Center Stage Dance and Theatre School in East Brunswick, New Jersey.  She was a C.A.T.S dancer for many years at Center Stage. In 2009 Amanda competed at the Youth American Grand Prix where she placed in the competitions top 12.  Amanda has performed in various concerts. She has worked with choreographers such as Doug Elkins, John Evans, and Randy James. She recently was awarded an assistantship from Mason Gross School of the Arts to participate in American Ballet Theaters National Training Curriculum where she received training to teach pre-primary to level 3 students. She assisted instruction to students in pre-primary to level 1 at American Ballet Theaters satellite school at Mason Gross School of the Arts. During the fall of 2014, Amanda interned at Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts in East Orange, New Jersey. During her time at Tyson, Amanda had the privilege of working with middle and high school students.

Mickey DeFranco

Jazz, CATS Company Director-Choreographer

Mickey served as choreographer for “Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego”, as well as the opening dance montage, for PBS television; Metropolis Studios, New York City. She is an active member of Dance Educators of America, and is the director of the national award winning Pre-Professional Center Stage CATS Jazz Company. CATS Alumni have appeared on Broadway in “Elf”, “Memphis”, “CATS”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Tommy”, “Guys and Dolls”, “Les Miserables”, “Bring it On”, “Mamma Mia”, “In the Heights”, “West Side Story”, “Catch Me if You Can”, “Star Light Express”, “Showboat”, “Carousel”, “A Chorus Line”, “Gypsy”, “Urban Cowboy”; Nationals Tours of: “Fame”, “Footloose”; Euro-tours: “Best of Broadway”, and the Liss Fain Dance Company in San Francisco. Her students have appeared on television and theatres around the country (including “Saturday Night Live”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, “The Today Show”),as well as commercials and industrials.  She has done choreography for Resorts International Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, and was a Master Choreographer/Teacher for Dance Troupe, Inc.. A guest choreographer with Broadway Dance Center featuring Frank Hatchett, Finis Jhung, and Savion Glover (Bring in Da Noise) in American Heritage (NYC).

Alora Eisen

Musical Theatre, Acting, Voice

Alora is a singer, actor, dancer, and teacher based in NYC and NJ. Alora has dedicated her life to theater by training at an early age at Center Stage Dance and Theatre School in East Brunswick, NJ. Alora graduated from Marymount Manhattan College earning a BA in Theater Arts with a Concentration in Theatre Performance and a Minor in Musical Theatre. She has used the training she has received to hone her craft and will continue to strive to grow and learn. Alora recognized how theater was an important factor of becoming the person she is today. Because of this she began teaching young students the magic of theater. Alora prides herself on her good work ethic and ability to work well with others. Alora believes firmly in kindness and continues to bring that into all the work that she does. When not performing, you will find Alora watching movies, playing with her dog Georgie and trying to learn how to rollerblade without breaking her legs.

Shannon Garahan

Tap, Jazz/Hip Hop, Ballet, Musical Theatre

Shannon is an alumnus of CATS, Tap CATS, and Hoofers Club at Center Stage along with many years in the pre-professional acting class and countless leads in Center Stage shows and summer shows.  She has assisted Mickey and George in CATS, Tap CAT, and Jr. CAT classes and has choreographed the summer shows since graduating.  She continues her training at Broadway Dance Center taking weekly classes and summer intensives with Ricky Hinds.  She is currently a member of USA Gymnastics and a wonderful part of our Starz Gymnastics Program.  Immediately after graduating Center Stage, she got her first professional show at Surflight Theatre in “A Chorus Line” under the direction/choreography of Mitzi Hamilton and Jessica Lee Goldyn.  Other favorite show credits include “Anything Goes”,  “CATS”, “Oklahoma!”, “Spamalot”, and “Junie B. Jones: The Musical”.

Sue Garahan

Jazz/Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre, Company Director

Sue has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rowan University and is a member of both Dance Educators of America and USA Gymnastics.  She has trained extensively as a dancer and musical theater performer in New Jersey, New York City and London, England. She was a member of her high school gymnastics team as well as a cheerleader in both high school and in college.  Her theater credits include Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Val in A Chorus  Line, Nancy in Oliver!, The Witch in Into the Woods, Gladys in The Pajama Game, Mona Kent in Dames at Sea, Nelly Forbush in South Pacific and Tiger Lily in Peter Pan.   She has been a teacher and the director of the young children’s and older children’s jazz and tap companies at Center Stage Dance for many years.  She has enjoyed developing our young dancers and preparing them for our pre-professional companies throughout the years and has won many choreographic awards for her work with them.  Many of her students have gone on to appear on Broadway, movies and television.

Anne Krug

Ballet, Director of Ballet Department

Anne is a Center Stage graduate, having worked her way up through the Jr. CATS and CATS companies. As a member of CATS, she competed for national titles and at the Youth of America Grand Prix ballet competition. At the age of 14, she was awarded the New York City Dance Alliance Ballet Scholarship by Daniel Catanach. In her senior year at Center Stage, she performed the lead role of Sugar Plum in our bi-annual production of “The Nutcracker.” She has trained additionally at the Briansky Saratoga Ballet summer intensive, and at The School at Steps under the instruction of Leslie Browne. Anne performed with the Urban Ballet Theater and the Abrons Arts Center Dance Ensemble in Daniel Catanach’s production of “Nutcracker in the Lower,” and is a member of the Ensemble, and an apprentice with the Urban Ballet Theater.

Grace McCann

Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical/Contemporary

Born and raised in central New Jersey, Grace has danced since the age of 3. Her early training began under Graham Lustig’s LustigDanceTheatre working with Lustig, Nancy Dow, Peggy Petteway, Bat Abbit, Lees Hummel, and Jen Cavanaugh. Grace was very fortunate to perform alongside the professional company and gain valuable artistic experience from such a young age. In high school, she began working with Risa Kaplowitz in Princeton, NJ. Grace had the honor of having multiple principal and soloist roles created on her by Kaplowitz including Marie in The Nutcracker and The Autumn Fairy in Cinderella. Following graduation, Grace spent a year with American Repertory Ballet as an apprentice and performed with the professional company under former Artistic Director, Douglas Martin. There she was able to work with Mary Barton, Maria Yousekevitch, and Kirk Peterson. She had the privilege of being chosen to perform in Peterson’s premiere of Beauty and the Beast for the company and having a demi-soloist role created on her. Following her time with ARB, Grace was fortunate to be coached by Peterson at Martin Center for Dance in the following principal roles: Etudes, Flower Festival in Genzano, Giselle, Glazunov Variations, Les Sylphides, Lombardi Variations, and Swan Lake. Despite restrictions on performances as a result of the pandemic, Grace was able to share these variations with intimate audiences.

Grace is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. 

Grace is passionate about providing students a nurturing environment to learn the essentials of ballet technique while expanding their artistry as dancers. She is so honored to be part of the faculty at Center Stage and to continue to share her love of ballet with the next generation of dancers. 

Tori Moots

Lyrical/Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Acting, Company Director

Tori is a Center Stage Alumnus, where she was a member of CATS, Tap CATS, and three years in the Pre-Professional Acting Class.  She starred in the Center Stage mainstage show for all four years of her high-school, and also appeared in productions of “The Bald Soprano,” “The Laramie Project,” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.”  She appeared for many years in Cabaret for Life, an AIDS benefit.  Since graduating from Center Stage, she studied for two years at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, taking classes in dance and acting, while simultaneously studying at Broadway Dance Center and Steps.  She recently choreographed a school production of “Beauty and the Beast,” and continued as assistant director the following year.  Upon completion of her Bachelor’s degree in education at Rider University, Tori joined our Center Stage family again, this time as a full time teacher and director of our JAZZ CATS Program.

Krystle Russell

Intro to Dance, Curtain Up, Jazz/Hip-Hop

Krystle Russel has run our Ocean Studio from its inception in 2010.  Combining her background in early childhood development with a love for teaching,  Krystle is truly the resident Child Whisperer of Center Stage bringing such excitement and joy  to each of her classes and such warmth and care to each of our families. She has been responsible for the choreography for numerous talent shows and camp productions. Our youngest students couldn’t be in better hands  as they become a part of our Center Stage family.

Jonathan Skolnik

Set/Prop Master, Technical Advisor

Jonathan, our proverbial “man behind the curtain” began working with us over 20 years ago, managing our Marlboro Studio.  After completing his degree at Montclair State   University, Jonathan began pursuing a career in Concert and Event Production.  During these years, he gained vast experience producing many exciting corporate and social events, and high profile productions such as the Dalai Lama’s visit to NYC at Central Park.   The experience and skills he gained throughout the years has allowed Jonathan to be an important fixture at Center Stage, elevating our overall theatrical production value.  When he returned to Center Stage he began setting up our Technical Department – a unique asset for a Dance School to possess.  Utilizing his skills in both general construction and design, Jonathan has been able to produce the various sets and prop pieces that our choreographers require to bring their vision to life.  In addition, Jonathan’s musicality and years of experience using Computer Music Programs, has allowed him to seamlessly cut the music needed for each of the dance numbers you see on stage.   Known for his witty sense of humor, Jonathan is always available for our comic relief.

Marjorie Toron

Jazz/Hip-Hop, Tap, Lyrical/Contemporary

Marjorie is a Center Stage Alumnus, where she was not only a part of many company teams throughout her years here, but has also been an assistant to numerous teachers since the age of 11. Marjorie attended Howell High School’s FPAC program where she majored in dance and continued dancing throughout college on her University’s dance team. Marjorie even had an opportunity to choreograph many routines for her dance team including their National’s dance that was performed on the ESPN Wide World of Sports stage in Orlando, Florida. Marjorie has received her Master’s Degree from the University of Scranton and is currently working as an Occupational Therapist. Her dream is to incorporate her passion of dance to assist those with neurological conditions and help them regain function. 

Stephen Waldrup

Acting, Managing Director

Stephen has been directing the acting program at Center Stage for over 30 years.  He has taught at the T. Schreiber Studio in Manhattan and does private coaching for NY & LA Actors.  As a performer, he appeared at the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival in “A Man for All Seasons, ” “The Sunshine Boys”, and Shakespeare’s “Henry VIII”, “Othello”, “The Merry Wives of Windsor”, and “The Merchant of Venice”.  In New York, he appeared in “An Ideal Husband”, “Once in a Lifetime”, “Ambrosio” and “I Am A Camera” at the T. Schreiber Studio, “On the Road to Holeness” at Theatre for the New City, “Dogg’s Hamlet/Cahoot’s Macbeth” with the 1010 Players, “The Bald Soprano” and “The Wailing Wall” with the Farrington Company and at the American Theatre of Actors.  Stephen’s directing credits include “Four Dogs and a Bone” and “Birdbath” in Manhattan and “Zoo Story” for Black Box in Asbury Park.  Stephen is a talented writer, creating the amazing characters and stories you see in our yearly performances at the State Theatre.