About
Pivot Theatre Company
Who We Are
Pivot is professional-level training with the attention of a private lesson and the warmth of a family. We are a personalized training ground, offering a comprehensive musical theatre experience for kids, teens and young adults ages 8–21, from first-time performers to students preparing for college and professional careers.
What We Do
Every Pivot performer trains in the three foundations of musical theatre (vocals, dance and acting) with our professional staff. Students learn by rehearsing and performing in fully staged musicals at the magical Duncan Smith Theater in Holmdel, NJ, and performers are welcome to ask our staff for individual feedback after auditions, during rehearsals and after shows.
Why Families Choose Pivot
We’re serious about the craft and just as serious about fun. Passion, hard work, and community are at our core. We intend for our young artists to gain the tools to support and develop their talents and leave with skills and confidence that carry into school, auditions, professional performance careers and life beyond the stage.
Our Story
Pivot launched in 2021, during the pandemic, to give young performers a creative outlet when they needed it most. Since then we've staged full productions, including Into the Woods, Anything Goes, Fiddler on the Roof, Once Upon a Mattress, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Frozen, Shrek, Matilda, and most recently, The Addams Family. Our performances at the Duncan Smith Theater in Holmdel allow us to connect students with professional actors, designers, technicians, producers and directors all working together to bring our high-quality productions to life.
Production Fee
Pivot is a tuition-based program. The fee for each production is $595 and includes:
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All rehearsals led by theatre professionals: producer, director, music directors, choreographer, and professional and college mentors
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A fully staged production with professional set design and professional costumes from our costumer
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A production crew and live accompanist for all performances
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Private rehearsal space and use of a professional theater, including theatrical sound and lighting design
We never want cost to stand in the way. Payment plans and a limited number of scholarships are available. Please reach out to learn more.
Our Team
Alison Schultz (Executive Producer/Co-Founder/Owner)
Alison spent many years as Director of Rights and Clearances at MTV Networks, Nickelodeon, and VH1. She has also worked for Bernard Telsey Casting (now Telsey + Company) and Michele Ortlip Casting in New York City, as well as EMI Music Publishing. She holds a BA from Muhlenberg College and an MS from the University of Pennsylvania. With a background in both entertainment and psychology, Alison saw firsthand how much young performers were struggling during the Covid lockdowns, and keeping theatre alive for them became a mission. That mission became Pivot. Today, she oversees Pivot's productions, making sure each student has a safe, supportive, and joyful place to grow as a performer and as a person.
Lisa Goldfarb (Director/Co-Founder)
5 years ago, Lisa joined in the conception of Pivot Theatre Company, where she has
directed fully-staged musical productions, Summer Collectives, and Pivot's inaugural music video Free To Be. Prior to Pivot, Lisa's extensive theater career began in 2005, in both artistic and administrative capacities. For 15 years, she grew and directed a performing arts program into a tremendously successful and highly-respected regional theatre program, producing and directing fully-staged musicals and showcase productions, including numerous nominations by the NJACT Perry Awards. Her programs have been highly acclaimed, received invitations to participate in high-profile events and performance opportunities. She recently created a unique preschool musical theatre program, now going into its 5th year. Creating magical theatrical worlds, for performers and audiences of all ages, is a passion for her - helping to ignite creativity, enthusiasm and joy for all!
Randy Hurst (Music Director)
Randy received a BA in Music Education, and has been consistently working in various theaters and schools across Central NJ with children of all ages, as well as adults, since 2010. Randy has a passion for musical theater and loves helping others in pursuing a passion for the Arts. He has Musical Directed more than 25 productions over the past 10 years. Randy also has a passion for performing! Most recently, he appeared in The Little Mermaid (King Triton), A Man of No Importance (Baldy/Carson), Legally Blonde (Professor Callahan/Elle’s Dad), The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play (Tom Buchanan) and in Holmdel Theatre Company’s production of Peter and the Starcatcher (Fighting Prawn/Grempkin).
Ashley Clack (Choreographer)
Ashley has choreographed Pivot’s Matilda, Shrek the Musical, Frozen Jr., Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Once Upon a Mattress, Fiddler on the Roof and Anything Goes! She graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University with a BA in Dance and a minor in Education. Performance credits include, dancing at The Cotton Club in Harlem, Good Morning America LIVE on ABC with rap artist Silento, Dancing With The Stars, 'Evolution of Dance Man', and Mickey Mouse. Other appearances include: So You Think You Can Dance, NJPAC, Symphony Hall, Wells Fargo Center, The Manhattan Center, opening for Jabbawockeez, and promotions with Paramount Pictures and Chicago: The Musical (Broadway). Ashley has choreographed/danced for national and international commercials. Ashley has over 20 years of teaching experience and is the proud owner of Colts Neck Dance & Performing Arts Academy in Colts Neck, NJ!
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Evan Isabella (Assistant Director)
At Pivot, Evan brings her professional experience to coaching and assistant directing our young performers. She is a graduate of Muhlenberg College, where she majored in Theatre, and she directs professionally in New York City, most recently for the 52nd Street Project at the Five Angels Theater. As a performer, Evan has shared the stage with Edie Falco and Stephen Wallem in a 52nd Street Project production, sang “Let It Go” in a duet with Idina Menzel, and appeared in a professional production of Fiddler on the Roof. Her on-camera work includes a Vince Camuto promo with Gia Giudice, B-roll for the Broadway musical Here Lies Love, and the short film SIS, screened at the 2024 Whitney Biennial. Other favorite credits include Sharpay in High School Musical (dir. Lane Napper), a Basie Award–nominated performance as Julie Jordan in Carousel, and many productions directed by Pivot’s own Lisa Goldfarb.
Mackenzie Schultz (Assistant Choreographer)
Mackenzie is currently pursuing her Masters in Education, with a certification in Dance Education, from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. She received her BA from Muhlenberg College in both Dance and Psychology, where she performed in numerous mainstage dance productions, was on two dance teams, and was the Recruitment and PR Chair of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority. Mackenzie was Assistant Choreographer for Pivot’s productions of Matilda, SHREK The Musical, Frozen Jr, Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins, choreographed Pivot’s Broadway Summer Collective and stage managed Anything Goes. She was an Apprentice member of a professional Ballet Theatre in NJ, where she performed in Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Carmen. Mackenzie recently worked at the Fort Athletic Club as the Community Partners Coordinator and Assistant to the Founding Partner, was an Assistant Event Planner for the YPO Big Apple Chapter in NYC, and is currently an Instructor and Choreographer for Colts Neck Dance and Performing Arts Academy.
