Dr. Penna is a Theater Teacher in the Arts Academy at Toms River High School North and the Troupe Director for Troupe #7455. Dr. Penna has a Ph.D. in Education from Walden University, MPhil in Education from Walden University, MA in Theater Studies from Montclair State University and a BFA in Musical Theater from Syracuse University. Dr. Penna has over 25 years of experience in the Theatrical Arts. Dr. Penna has worked professionally on Broadway, National Tours, and Regional Theaters. Dr. Penna is a proud member of the Actors Equity Association (AEA),and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Dr. Penna is a Council  Member on the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a State Board Member for The New Jersey Thespian Society, a Board Member for the National English Honor Society and a School Board Member on the Asbury Park School Board. Dr. Penna was the recipient of the 2022 NJ State Teen Arts: Educator of the Year Award, the 2022 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award: for Outstanding Educator, the 2022 Monmouth Arts: Arts Education Award, the 2022 International Thespian Society: Inspirational Theatre Educator Award, the 2019 Montclair State University Foxy Award for Excellence in Theater Education and the 2018 Basie Award for Best Lighting Design of a Drama.

George Powers is a 2025 retiree from music
education, with over 38 years of experience. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Music) degree from Glassboro State College. He taught for 16 years at Toms River HS North, teaching Music Theory, AP Music Theory, Piano, Music Computing and Band, and was 2022-2023 Toms River HS North Teacher of the Year. Prior to arriving at Toms River North, he spent 22 years as Musical Director at Red Bank Catholic High School.
Professionally, George was Musical Director of the Monmouth County Parks System Summer Theatre for 16 years. He also Musical Directed a number of shows for Phoenix Productions at the Count Basie Theatre. As a musician, he has also performed in many pit orchestras throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties as a keyboardist and a woodwind specialist.

Away from school and theatre, he can be found at establishments as the saxophonist and horn arranger for the local band “We’ll Be Fine.”