Shoreline Theatre Company (STC) started in the Spring of 2018 as a discussion with The Branford Parks and Recreation Department to try and fill a void in our community as we felt more performing arts opportunities should be available for people of all ages. Our first show, Hairspray, had a cast of 60 from 10 different towns ranging in age from 13-70. We also offered a summer theatre camp experience for 2nd through 8th graders that concluded with performances of Aladdin Jr. Due to the success of the summer theatre camp, we then offered a Winter camp opportunity with the production of Elf Jr. From the summer of 2018 to the year our number of campers doubled, which allowed us to have two completely separate casts for our productions of Alice in Wonderland Jr.
Well, as they say, “The rest is history.” The CoVid-19 Pandemic made us slow down and readjust. However, we celebrated our 5th Year Anniversary in January of 2023 with ‘You Can’t Stop The Beat’, a lookback at the past 14 shows we produced through songs and stories.
The community has been very supportive of us and we look forward to offering a wide array of shows with different sizes of cast members and immersive experiences for audiences in the future. We hope that STC continues to influence and inspire everyone that experiences a production with us whether it be onstage, behind the scenes or as a spectator.
Thank YOU for supporting THE ARTS!
- Mike Martone Jr. & Colin Sheehan
Meet The Team
Mike Martone Jr.
Branford (Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director) graduated from Branford High School in 2001 where he was fortunate to play in Crazy for You!, Lil’ Abner, and especially the role as Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls. He attended Western Connecticut State University where he obtained his B.S. in Music Education. Mike performed in several operas as a member of the WCSU Opera Ensemble. Credits include; Tamino in The Magic Flute, Don Basilio in The Marriage of Figaro, King Kasper in Amahl and the Night Visitors, as well as several others. Mr. Martone graduated with high honors and was awarded the Ruth P. DeVillafranca Certificate which is given to the most promising music educator as deemed by the music faculty. He also has his M.S. in Music Education from WCSU again graduating Magna Cum Laude. Mike also created and directed a summer music camp for young performers for the last several years as well as performed in a couple plays with a theater company himself.
Colin Sheehan
Colin Sheehan is a local arts enthusiast and serves as the Arts, Culture & Special Events Coordinator for the Town of Branford, Director of The Branford High School Performing Arts’ Spring Musical, Producer of The Broadway Spotlight Series and Community Arts Coordinator at Legacy Theatre, and Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director of Branford Parks and Recreation Shoreline Theatre Company. Prior to his current roles, Colin worked as an Associate Producer for the Tony and Olivier Award winning Seaview Productions. He graduated from Branford High School (2003) and continued his studies at Wagner College (2007) with a B.A. in Theatre and Speech Performance. In 2003, he made his Broadway debut in the closing night production of Les Misérables. In 1999, Colin appeared numerous times on “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” and remained in contact with the actress/comedian in college (and for a few years after graduating) before taking a position at “The Wendy Williams Show” for three seasons. Colin has produced, directed, hosted, and performed in the tristate area and abroad with Broadway Cruises, Nickelodeon Cruises, and R Family Vacations Cruises. Colin is a philanthropist and has hosted, produced and raised funds and awareness for many organizations in Branford and beyond. Colin is a proud Branford Community Foundation Board Member, Lions Club Member, Beacon Award Winner, BroadwayWorld nominated Director and Godfather to Claire Bear! For more information, visit: ColinSheehanEvents.com.
Paola Rarick
Branford (Choreographer) is thrilled to be a part of the creative team at Shoreline Theatre Company. Paola has been co-owner of StudioOne Dance Center in Branford for the past 10 years. Aside from teaching and operating her studio, Paola has choreographed numerous musical theatre productions such as James and the Giant Peach and
The Little Mermaid at Walsh. She also serves as choreographer for Artful Living Productions in Killingworth where she choreographed productions of Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, and The Music Man. She is also currently working on Beauty and the Beast. Paola received a B.S. in Corporate Communications at SCSU. She resides in Branford with her husband Bill and her daughter Bella
Ariel Kathryn Cobden
Chris Lemieux
(Student Director/Digital Content Producer: LOVES being a part of Shoreline Theatre Company. She also enjoys working with BHS Performing Arts, Branford Parks and Rec.; Shoreline Theatre Company and Branford Parks and Rec. Past credits include, Elf Jr(Co-director), HSM 1 & 2 (Producer), Little Shop Of Horrors(Student Director), Sweeney Todd(Student Director), Christmas Short Film(Producer), Frozen Jr(Assistant Director), Annie Jr(stage manager), Peter and The Starcatcher(assistant director and stage manager) and many more! Also helps to create and produce publicity projects for Branford Parks and Rec.
Chris Lemieux (Guest Director & Summer Camp Director) is an actor, director, writer, and avid DnD player/game master. He graduated from BHS in 2009 and from Pace University in 2013 as a BFA Actor. He is a proud member of the Actor's Equity Association. As an actor, Chris toured with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. He has been seen in world-premieres in NYC and LA. Locally, Chris appeared as Bottom in Legacy Theatre's production of Midsummer Night's Dream and STC's production of The Producers as Leo Bloom. He has assisted or directed the summer camp productions for STC since Aladdin Jr. and directed the production of Peter and the Starcatcher and a digital production of a Star Wars/Christmas Carol mash-up called Space Wars: Christmas Carol in which he co-wrote. Chris is currently a Theatre teacher at Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School in New Haven. He also runs multiple Dungeons and Dragons programs at Branford Parks and Recreation.
