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Impact Theater

of Longwood Hills Congregational Church

Impact Theater is an outreach program of Longwood Hills Congregational Church.

Impact Theater Logo

Impact Theater of Longwood Hills Congregational Church

Impact Theater is a community theater for youth grades k-12 located in Longwood, FL and is sponsored by Longwood Hills Congregational Church. We produce three seasons of drama productions each year for varying age groups.

Impact Theater provides instruction in theater, music, and dance and gives youth the opportunity to perform. Values taught include: teamwork, time management, mutual respect, self-confidence, inclusion, and healthy body awareness. We strive to have a cast and crew that mirror the community from which we draw. Our goal is for any child who desires to participate to have a place on our stage no matter their previous experience or financial status.
 

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! 

Fall Classes

Directed by: 

Mr. Chase Andreae & Mr. Grant Andreae

Unlock your potential and shine on stage!

Our fall classes are designed to help you develop your skills in musical theater dance and acting. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your talents, our experienced instructors will guide you every step of the way.

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Our Directors

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Grant Andreae

Director

Grant Andreae is a singer, dancer, actor and balloon artist living and working in Orlando, Florida. Grant received a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Missouri in 2019. After meeting his now husband in Australia, Grant has most recently worked 2 cruise ship contracts with Celebrity Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia. 

Grant began his theatre, choir, and band work in elementary school and continued faithfully until graduation. He also participated in multiple community theatre programs in his hometown, Kansas City. After fostering his love for theatre throughout his entire education as a child, he knew a life of theatre and performance was the path for him. 

Grant is also an entrepreneur. He began a balloon decoration and event entertainment company, Andreae Balloon Studio, in 2023. He enjoys bringing color and joy to spaces that need it. You can check out all the fun at www.andreaeballoonstudio.com or @andreaeballoonstudio on Instagram and TikTok.

In his free time, Grant loves to take walks, spend time with family and friends, and hangout with Mickey Mouse. He is thrilled to join the Impact Theatre team and begin bringing stories to life with students just like you.

Chase Andreae

Director

Chase Andreae is an experienced performer who recently relocated to Florida with his husband, Grant, in 2023 after working for 2 years performing on cruise ships. Chase has cultivated his passion for the arts in his home state, Indiana, obtaining a BFA in Musical Theatre from Ball State University. There he had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed talents and directors including Broadway star, Sutton Foster.

His career has taken him to various stages, including performing at 5 theme parks and various professional theatres. Growing up, he has been a part of a children’s touring theatre for seven summers. In 2018 and 2019, he was a counselor for theatre workshops with Pickleville Playhouse in Utah. 

When he’s not immersed in the world of theatre, he enjoys indulging in reality TV, exploring the enchantment of Disney, and cherishing quality time with his nephews. 

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Erin Woods

Director 

Erin Woods is thrilled to be joining the Impact team this season! Theater has been a huge part of her life since childhood–she has worn every hat from performer to tech to choreographer to director to teacher. Highlights of her theater career include working with various community theaters in Florida, training at SAK Comedy Lab and creating the Improv program at Lake Mary High School, sponsoring Troupe 3506 at LMHS for 12 years, receiving the English Speaking Union fellowship for Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance at the Globe Theatre in London, directing productions of Romeo & Juliet, 12th Night, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing through Summer Shakespeare at LMHS, and for the past 3 years, directing the middle school musical productions at Annunciation Catholic Academy. Erin is married to her college sweetheart, Justin, and has two sons, Barrett (14) and Lawson (12). Her other interests include volunteering, singing at church, reading, writing and working out. She is thrilled to share her love and passion for the stage with your children!

 

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Elaine Ashely

Music Director

Elaine Ashley has been the Music Director for Impact Theater for five shows and loves coaching the students. While teaching in both public and private schools for 35 years, she has directed countless productions with youth in grades K-8. She accompanies students at Solo and Ensemble competitions and works as an accompanist at Annunciation Catholic Church, serving as Interim Music Director when needed. She has taught private flute, guitar and piano lessons and sings professionally in many styles of music. Elaine earned her BA in Music Education K-12 from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and
continued her education in Seattle, Washington where she was Assistant Director for the Columbia Boys’ Choir. She is delighted to have this opportunity to share her love of music and see the growth of musicianship within each cast!

Impact Support Staff

Reagan Arnold

Reagan Arnold

Stage Manager

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Laura Salinas

Impact Administrator

Cheryl Dearing -- Costuming 

Stephen Salinas -- Sound 

Jim Dearing -- Set 

Impact Board

Stephanie Salinas -- Pastor at LHCC

Shelly Rose -- LHCC President

Yvonne Rose -- LHCC Outreach

Margaret Gross -- LHCC Treasurer

Laura Salinas -- Impact Administrator

Rachelle Lehner -- Impact Parent Liaison

Reagan Arnold -- Impact  Stage Manager and Student Liaison

Finding Nemo Jr.

Kids Grade K-6  March 2024

Little Mermaid Jr.

Kids grade 6 - 12 March 2024

History of Impact Theater

Impact Theater began in 2017 under the leadership of Gail Bartell, a member of Longwood Hills Congregational Church. Mrs. Bartell had recently 'retired' from teaching and saw a desire among some members as well as former students to 'put on a show' utilizing LHCC's spacious stage in the Sanctuary. Our first production, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" had a cast of 31 adults and children from our congregation and the community. From there, we offered summer camps without full productions and fall and spring full productions. Our numbers grew and after our production of "The Lion King Jr." with 46 children in the cast, we started offering productions for two age groups each season. Erika Cuevas and Amy Sink joined our team to direct and choreograph the younger age group. Impact has been privileged to have several wonderful music directors such as Linda Wagoner, Elaine Ashley, Scott Kinkead and Craig Willson. We have always been open and inclusive to the community, providing any child who wants to participate, the opportunity to do so. Our auditions are informal and are specifically to assign roles. We also have produced several adult productions and musical reviews.
Year Show 
2017 "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"
2018

"Seussical Jr."

"Moana & Maui High Seas Adventure" Summer Camp

"Beauty & the Beast: The Enchanted Castle" Summer Camp

"Descendants Disney Villain Drama" Summer Camp
2019
"Shrek Jr.,"
"Frozen Jr.,"
"Lion King Jr."
"Almost, Maine" (Adult)
"Lead With Love" (Adult)
2020
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (Adult)
*Covid 19
2021
"Willy Wonka Kids"
"Hairspray Jr."
2022
"Jungle Book KIDS"
"Into the Woods Jr."
"Dr. Newheart's Neck-Up Check-Up"
"Annie KIDS"
"Newsies Jr."
First Annual Broadway Night Scholarship Fundraiser
2023
"101 Dalmatians KIDS"
"Matilda Jr.," "Moana Jr."
"Frozen KIDS"
"Anastasia: Youth Edition"
Second Annual Broadway Night Scholarship Fundraiser
2024
"Finding Nemo Jr."
"The Little Mermaid Jr."
"High School Musical Jr."
"Aladdin Jr."
"The Drowsy Chaperone Jr."

 

Contact Us

Follow Impact Theater on Social Media

For more information about Impact Theater or to learn how to donate to Impact Theater's Scholarship fund, please use the link below to contact Gail Bartell.