Production Staff
Marketing
Maria Rella, Esq. is the marketing coordinator for Jersey Shore Light Opera. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Theatre Management at Florida State University and works as the Marketing Communications Coordinator for the FSU School of Theatre. Maria is also a lawyer licensed to practice in New Jersey and received her Juris Doctor from the Jacob D. Fuchsburg Law Center at Touro University in 2022. She performed in JSLO's premiere production of H.M.S. Pinafore and served as the Production Stage Manager. She is a true believer in the transformative power of theatre and loves being involved in all aspects of theatre, onstage and off. She is so grateful to get to work with her incredibly talented family and the great members of the JSLO Ensemble Company. Maria currently serves in the Air National Guard.
Scenic Design
Rose Rella works in public affairs as a videographer and photographer, although her main background is in painting and illustration. She graduated from Montclair State University with a BFA in Illustration and continued her education at The Kubert School for cartooning. Recently, she has worked as a production assistant, had her work exhibited at a Frasier-themed art show in Los Angeles, and performed at the Chain Theatre One-Act Festival in NYC. Rose also performed in the Ensemble of H.M.S. Pinafore and served as Prop Master and Scene Painter. She currently serves in the Air Force Reserve.
Musical Director
Tammy Rella taught vocal and instrumental music in both public and private schools at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels, and holds permanent teacher certification in Music in New York and New Jersey. She has performed in various symphonic and wind ensembles throughout New York and New Jersey and currently plays Saxophone in the Old Bridge Symphonic Band. She is proficient in all wind instruments and taught brass, percussion, and strings. She played in pit orchestras for productions of Anything Goes, Brigadoon, Will Rogers Follies, 42nd Street, Pirates of Penzance, New Moon, Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Company, Grease, Cats, and was musical director for a production of Pippin. Tammy earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of South Dakota and studied graduate music performance and education at Rutgers University. She was musical director and pit musician for JSLO's H.M.S. Pinafore. She served as nurse in the Air National Guard.
Executive Director
Francis Rella is Executive Director and Founder of the Jersey Shore Light Opera. His earliest professional theater experience was working as a chorister, comprimario, and eventually a leading character actor at the Light Opera of Manhattan in New York City. He sang in multiple productions of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, Ruddigore, and Patience. He also appeared in classic operettas such as The Red Mill, Babes in Toyland, The Desert Song, Mademoiselle Modiste, The Merry Widow, A Night in Venice, Naughty Marietta, Vagabond King, and The Student Prince. He produced, directed, and conducted musical theater productions for High Schools, Community, and professional theater companies throughout New York. He also performed with New York City Opera, Sacramento Broadway Series, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, and the Black Hills Playhouse. Francis received a Master of Music Degree from the University of South Dakota. He served as Stage Director and Conductor for H.M.S Pinafore. Francis is currently serving with the Air Force Reserve as a Chaplain.