Wilton Theater Pros Lend the Kids a Hand

You may see them at your child’s school, or leading your church choir, or shopping in town, but did you know the extent of the talent and experience that Wilton Children’s Theater’s professional team brings to our community?

WCT professionals are amazing and talented individuals. In addition to their “day jobs,” they dedicate many hours per week over a period of 10 weeks to the town’s stage-bound children. Wilton’s talented children, many of whom start out as shy and reserved, transform into confident singers and dancers thanks to the experience of these dedicated pros.

WCT’s director, musical director and choreographer not only work with the children, they also design sets, plan the choreography (endless in the case of WCT’s upcoming show, Disney’s Camp Rock!), coordinate the musicians, and spend countless hours independently planning the show.

Skip Ploss – Director

If your children have attended Miller-Driscoll School, you know “Mr. Skip!” In addition to his theater credits, he works as a special education paraprofessional at Miller-Driscoll. What you may not know is that Skip Ploss has been working in community theater for more than 20 years in Wilton.

He first appeared as an actor in Witness for the Prosecution at The Wilton Playshop in 1991, and eventually took on roles as as producer, director, designer, board member and president of the Playshop. Skip has also directed, written and/or appeared in more than 20 plays and play readings in lower Fairfield County.

He’s been a prolific partner with WCT, having directed Disney’s High School Musical, Grease, Willy Wonka, Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid and Shrek for the organization.

Skip and his wife, Laura, have raised their daughter in Wilton, and he credits the theater community for making Wilton such a special place for them.

“The main reason I love to do this is to watch a child who is shy and unable to speak in front of people, over a period of time come out and be a star. Theater builds self-confidence in the kids, gives them a better sense of self, and it builds a community — friendships that the kids carry through high school and on.   There is such a wide variety of kids in the theater community, from artists to athletes; theater brings them together and gives them a wider friend base as they go through middle and high school. I also love to see our WCT ‘graduates’ in the high school shows and see where they go after graduation – it’s a real family,” he says.

Al Galletly – Musical Director

Al Galletly is well known in Wilton as the beloved director of music at Wilton Presbyterian Church. Although Al and his wife, Jan, live in Ridgefield, they are clearly very involved in the Wilton Community. Al is now in his 12th year with WCT. His previous show credits have included Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, Anything Goes, Annie Jr., Mulan and Beauty and the Beast.

He says he loves to work with the dedicated WCT alums and with the parents involved in the productions.

“What excites me about WCT is that 55 kids can come together–most don’t know each other, only some have experience, and a good number have none–and in a space of 10 weeks they can take 80 pages of music and 60 pages of script and pull that off as an almost professional–or professional for their age–show! I see it every year – amazing results come from a collaborative, company effort. It’s thrilling to work with the kids and see the final production,” Al says.

Judy Abbatiello – Choreographer

WCT’s upcoming show, Disney’s Camp Rock, is a high-energy, dance-filled production that relies on the amazing choreographic talent of Judy Abbatiello. Camp Rock is Judy’s ninth show with WCT (her first was Anything Goes).

Judy is no stranger to Wilton as she has also choreographed shows for Wilton Playshop.

A graduate of the High School of the Performing Arts, NYC, Judy has danced professionally throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Far East with numerous tours. She is owner and director of the Monroe Dance Academy, which is celebrating its 33rd year in business.

“This is a passion for me. I love sharing it with the children, and seeing how they learn and grow is amazing. I really love watching the high school kids who have already ‘graduated’ from WCT come back and learn the other side of putting on a show, the production end. It is a great growth experience for me – I love watching where kids start and where they end. If I can make a child love dancing, that’s my mission in life, that’s what I love,” she says.

Come see the end result of Skip, Judy and Al’s hard work at Disney’s Camp Rock! November 21, 22 and 23 at Middlebrook Auditorium. Tickets are now available online on the Wilton Children’s Theater website!