Drama Club Faculty
Drama Club Officers
Tim Lynch
Director of Theatre Arts
This year, Mr. Lynch received the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award for Outstanding Educator, the Montclair Theatre Night Award for Outstanding Direction of a Play (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), and his production of Newsies received Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical from the Rising Star Awards. Prior to Ridge, Mr. Lynch was the Theatre Arts Director at Watchung Hills Regional, where he was awarded Best New Theatre Educator from the Montclair Theatre Nights Awards in 2022. Prior to that, Mr. Lynch worked in the Summit High School Theatre Department and Forensics Team, coaching students to the final rounds at national speech tournaments across the country. He believes the vital life skills and unforgettable experiences gained in the performing arts make being a theatre teacher the greatest job in the world!
Jason Stewart
Director of Stage Crew
Jason M. Stewart is an artist and art educator at Ridge High School where this is his 11th year leading the scenic design and stage crew. Stewart received his MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and has exhibited his artwork throughout the east coast, including the Newark Museum and the Monmouth Museum. Stewart and his crew have received many awards and nominations for their outstanding work with scenic design, including the 2017 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award. Stewart has worked with local and touring theatre companies in the roles of director, actor, designer, stage manager, painter, and builder. Stewart is extremely proud of the hard work the cast and crew have put into each production of their productions. He looks forward to working with this year's incoming members of Stage Crew!
Colin Berry
Director of Tech Crew
Colin Berry has experience within the Performing Arts Center industry for the past five years. He is a 2018 graduate of Rowan University where he served as Director of Technical Services putting on weekly events and shows. Mr. Berry worked on sold-out comedy events for Marlon Wayans, SNL cast member Michael Che and Mikey Day. He is a lighting technician for the New Jersey Devils hockey and Seton Hall University men’s basketball games at the Prudential Center. He has worked corporate, theatrical, and arena-size events for the past eight years as a freelance audio-visual engineer. He is very excited to extend the joy of theatre to all students who want to learn!
Jaidyn Riley
Drama Club President
Jaidyn is a Senior and is honored to take on the lovely role of this year's Drama Club President! She has been a member of the Drama Club since the beginning of her freshman year and feels so blessed to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of people. Her favorite roles include
NEWSIES (Mush), and NOISES OFF (Brooke Ashton). Blessedly, in 2023 for her role of “Mush” in Newsies, Jaidyn won a Paper Mill Rising Star Award for an Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble member. Additionally, in her junior year Jaidyn was a Nominee for A Montclair Theatre Night Foxy Award for her role of “Brooke Ashton” in Noises off.
She hopes to continue to build her own legacy within RDC and help others strengthen their love for theater as well! Jaidyn is also looking forward to majoring in Musical Theatre/Acting in college!
Kacy King
Drama Club Vice President
Kacy is a senior and is overjoyed to be the Vice President of Ridge Drama Club. She has been a member of drama club since freshman year and is so beyond grateful for this leadership opportunity. Some of her favorite RDC roles include Les (Newsies), Poppy-Norton Taylor (Noises Off), and Panicked Woman (Something Rotten). Kacy fell in love with theater at a young age and is thrilled to spread that joy of theater with others. She hopes to help foster a community within Ridge that values creativity, hard work, mental health, and self expression.
Deeksha Dilip
Drama Club Co-Treasurer
Deeksha is a junior and is elated to take on the role as Ridge Drama Club’s Co-Treasurer! Music and theater have been prominent aspects of her life and she is honored to share her love for the arts with her fellow peers. Some of Deeksha’s favorite productions from Ridge Drama Club include NOISES OFF(assistant stage manager) and SOMETHING ROTTEN(assistant stage manager) where she found her love for the Production Team. As an officer, Deeksha strives towards creating an inclusive, nurturing environment for current and future members of Ridge Drama Club.
Harrison Fischer
Drama Club Co-Treasurer
Harrison is a Junior, and is incredibly excited to be Ridge Drama Club’s co-treasurer! So far, Harrison has participated in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Newsies, and Something Rotten. He loves making all sorts of new friends and having a great time together as a drama club family in and out of show season. Outside of RDC, Harrison is a thrower on the track team. Harrison looks forward to another amazing year of successful shows and fun memories in the RDC family!
Harrison Fischer (Arthur Roeder
Faye Fletcher
International Thespian Society President
Faye is a rising junior, and a four show performer in Ridge Drama Club! Her credits include; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Newsies, Something Rotten, and her personal favorite, Noises Off. Faye loves singing, and has been receiving vocal lessons from Nadine Robinson since her freshman year. Along with this, Faye participates in competitive speech and debate, and is a nationally ranked competitor in Duo, Programmed, and Oral Interpretation! Faye loves all things regarding acting, singing, and dancing, and intends to pursue this professionally later in life. She is eternally grateful to have such inspiring coaches and directors like Mr. Lynch, Mrs. Beadle and Mrs. Miranda in her life. Ridge Drama Club gave her a community, and Faye intends to give back to the program as much as she has received as President of the International Thespian Honor Society!
