Meet the Theatre Arts Team
Theatre Arts Staff
Mrs. Jessica Strazisar - advisor, director, set designer, and program coordinator
This is Mrs. Strazisar's 26th stage production as part of the team of the musical theatre program at Blacklick Valley. Mrs. Strazisar is a co-founder of the program and has been with the productions since the first show in 2002.
She has been an English Language Arts teacher at Blacklick Valley since 1999. She is currently the chair of the English department, an adjunct faculty member through the ACE program at Penn Highlands Community College, the high school Instructional Coach and reading specialist, coach of the forensics team and the newsletter moderator.
Mrs. Strazisar has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with secondary teaching certification from Seton Hill University. She also has a Masters in Education in Literacy from Indiana University of Pennsylvania as well as certification as a Reading Specialist. She is also trained as a literacy and instructional coach.
Mrs. Linda Smeed - music advisor and pianist
This is Mrs. Smeed's 26nd stage production as part of the team of the musical theatre program at Blacklick Valley. Mrs. Smeed is a co-founder of the program and has been with the productions since the first show in 2002.
Mrs. Smeed is a 1974 graduate of Central Cambria High School and has been involved in music most of her life. She was the director of the Blacklick Valley Marching Band from 2002-2013. Additionally, Linda is the music director at an area church and gives private music lessons.
Ms. Ashley Lieb- Associate director and Choreographer
Mrs. Lieb is in her 5th year teaching Biology and Anatomy at Blacklick Valley. She is a 2017 Blacklick Valley graduate. In high school, Ms. Frank participated in 8 musical theatre performances.
Ms. Breanna McGhee - Associate director of music and orchestra instrumentalist
Ms. McGhee is the Guidance Counselor at Blacklick Valley. She is a 2017 Blacklick Valley graduate and participated in six musical theatre productions as a student. This year marks her 15th show at BV.
Ms. Mallorie Bishop - Technical director and crew supervisor
Ms. Bishop is 2015 graduate of Blacklick Valley High School. She began working with the musical theatre program in high school and has taken over the role of technical director and crew supervisor for the past 6 years.
Ms. Bishop is 911 operator.
