Creative Team
Raye Lynn Mercer
DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER
Raye Lynn Mercer founded the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) in 1985. A graduate of Middlebury College, she attended the Vienna International Music Center in Vienna, Austria. Pianist, director, producer and choreographer, Raye Lynn has presented 23 seasons of musicals, plays, concerts and dance with FSPA and the community-based Franklin Performing Arts Company. Her school’s student resumes include placement in top college and conservatory arts programs, six national Broadway tours, seven European concert tours, the American Idol finals and annual performances at Disney World. Combining profession and hobby, Raye Lynn has directed Symphony of Horses productions across the country. Locally, she is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, served on the local Cultural Council and was a 20-year volunteer to the America’s Junior Miss Scholarship Program. President and Executive Director of the New England Center for the Performing Arts (NECPA), Raye Lynn is the visionary behind the development of a regional performing arts education and presentation complex in her hometown of Franklin, Massachusetts.
Hallie Wetzell
VOCAL DIRECTOR
Hallie Wetzell holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater from Occidental College and Master of Music Degrees in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from New England Conservatory of Music. She serves as the Vocal Director for FSPA, overseeing the Voice Department as well as teaching voice classes, private students and serving as music director for all ensembles. Hallie was the Vocal Director for the FSPA Children’s Choirs for the professional touring companies of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2000 and 2005 and Evita in 2004. Hallie has performed in numerous productions and ensembles in genres ranging from musical theater, to cabaret, to opera, to oratorio, to straight plays. She has been on FSPA’s Faculty since 1998 and became Vocal Director for the Franklin Performing Arts Company in 1999. Recently, Hallie served on the Executive Board of the Boston Chapter of the National Association of the Teachers of Singing. Hallie’s students have been accepted to such prestigious musical theater and classical voice programs at colleges and universities including Carnegie Mellon, Syracuse, Oberlin, NYU, Eastman, Penn State, Hartt School of Music, Boston Conservatory, and New England Conservatory.
Nick Paone
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER
Nick Paone has a BA in Theater from Occidental College. An Equity performer, his performing credits include Cabaret, Oklahoma, Red Roses, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Little Shop of Horrors, and Romeo and Juliet. Nick has written and directed numerous shows and he also produced an evening of one-act plays in New York City. He has traveled all over the US performing with TheaterWorks, USA. Nick has been on the Faculty at FSPA since 2001.
Kellie Stamp
Choreographer
Kellie Stamp began her dance training at the age of five under the direction of Pat Smith. After receiving her Masters of Performing Arts Degree from Emerson College, she continued her tap and jazz training at the On Stage Academy for the Performing Arts, as well as with Rosemarie Boyden and at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Kellie has also studied Dance for Musical Theater with Broadway actress and choreographer, Leslie Woodies. In addition to teaching tap and jazz classes as FSPA, Kellie is one of the choreographers for Electric Youth, Broadway Light and Broadway Ladies. She serves as Director of FSPA Dance Ensembles and choreographer for many FSPA and FPAC productions. Kellie first joined FSPA in 2001. Her performing credits include lead roles in 42nd Street,West Side Story, Sweet Charity, and FPAC productions of Little Shop of Horrors, Cinderella, Into the Woods, Anything Goes, and Cabaret.
Tracy Lane
Coordinator/Customer
Tracy Lane has a BA in Theater Education from Emerson College, where she also studied voice. She has taught Drama at Hanover Public Schools, English and Drama and directed school musicals at Hingham Junior High School, choreographed at Hingham High School and Thayer Academy. Tracy’s additional directing experience includes Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, The Wiz, Bye Bye, Birdie, and FPAC’s production of You Can’t Take It With You. She has performed in many productions including South Pacific, West Side Story, Kiss Me Kate, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Candide. Tracy joined the FSPA Faculty in 1995. Tracy joined the FSPA Faculty in 1995 where in addition to being the Assistant Director she also teaches Pre School Music and Musical Theater, is the coordinator for the Musical Theater Troupes and Dance Companies, and is the Costumer for all productions.