countered at CHS made her think they were capable of producing ex cellent theater programs. Friend and neighbor Joanna Young Shubart saw the program’s quality firsthand when Pettigrew co-choreographed The Drowsy Chaperone. Shubart had per formed in the Broadway production and persuaded about 10 cast mem bers to attend the CHS version. “We were blown away,” Shubart remembers. “We could not believe the talent of the kids and the incred ible production values.” A typical CHS musical includes 40 to 60 performers, approximately 50 stage-crew members and a 15-per son orchestra. Choosing a show re quires balancing available talent, educational goals and the limitations of the auditorium. Pettigrew and her team, including Britt Keshner and Jake Ezzo, consider the students’ strengths and the styles of musical theater they have not yet experienced. Current co-director and co-cho reographer Britt Shubow Keshner has seen Pettigrew solve problems in the rehearsal room. Sometimes the two will be working on chore ography that neither believes is quite right. After a brief discussion, Petti grew will suddenly see another way. “She listens, she creates, she goes back to the drawing board and doesn’t stop until the right idea comes along,” Keshner says. That commitment to quality ex tends to the students, who are expect ed to approach rehearsals and perfor mances professionally. Parent Lynne Daly watched her children participate in the musical’s elementary work shops before her daughter Marianna joined the CHS productions. “The team expects students to behave professionally,” Daly says. “CHS shows have challenging mate rial and advanced staging and chore ography. But more importantly, the team works to establish a real com munity within the cast.” the school helped Pettigrew meet people in her new community. Her high school had a strong theater pro gram. She remembered how much those productions meant to her. She wanted to offer another generation the same experience. “Each year we set the bar a little higher,” Pettigrew says. “And each year we were making magic happen.” Benn, who worked alongside Pet tigrew for 24 years, remembers the effort behind those productions. “The long hours and attention to de tail that was needed was never lost on Bethany, who was always willing to go the extra mile.” One early show helped establish the musical as something the wider community would anticipate. For Peter Pan in 2003-04, the produc tion expanded to two weekends and brought in a professional flying rig. With a strong cast, elaborate cos tumes and an impressive set, the show sold out by its second weekend. The musical began visiting el ementary schools to preview its pro ductions, introducing younger chil dren to the program and encouraging families to attend. Pettigrew remem bers a time when some residents had reservations about Columbia High School. “It was exciting to notice perceptions changing and give younger families confidence in our amazing high school,” Pettigrew says. The talented, hardworking and enthusiastic students she en feature story / 17 Columbia High School's production of Beauty and the Beast. Pettigrew was Associate Director of Death Becomes Her along with (L to R) Lou Castro (Associate Choreographer), Christopher Gattelli (Director/Chore ographer) and Mark Myars (Resident Director/Choreographer). Strategies for weathering volatile markets The only constant in the markets is change, and volatility is a fact of every investor's life. I can help with strategies for managing it. The first rule: Remember that emotions can lead to poor investment decisions. Contact me today to discuss ways of staying steady in unsteady markets. Margo Hill, CDFA®, CRPC™ Senior Financial Advisor Managing Director 19 Center Street Chatham, NJ 07928 Direct: 917-846-3682 margo.hill@wfafinet.com Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. ©2026 Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. PM-06112027-8662549.l.l follow us on instagram @truesalvagekitchen visit truesalvagecafenj.com or call 973-327-9939 Holiday catering (Thanksgiving, Christmas) Private events (birthdays, holiday gatherings, engagement parties) taPas dates & more THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING Let us cook for you!
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