NANCY RINGHAM SMITH
Nancy is one of the most talented and versatile Singing Actors working in the theater today.
Her Broadway Credits include:
THE THREE PENNY OPERA (Polly) opposite STING; MY FAIR LADY (Eliza) opposite REX HARRISON. Roundabout’s FOLLIES (Christine) with Judith Ivey, Blythe Danner, Treat Williams, Kelli O’Hara and Gregory Harrison; THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES (Betty Blake) opposite Mac Davis, Larry Gatlin, and Mickey Rooney. Nancy toured nationally in CABARET (Sally Bowles) opposite JOEL GREY; OKLAHOMA (Ado Annie); GUYS AND DOLLS (Adelaide); SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (Lina Lamont), which she also recorded with the London Philharmonic; and MY FAIR LADY.
Her Off-Broadway credits include:
SECRETS OF A SOCCER MOM, directed by Judith Ivey; FUDDY MEERS (MTC) by David Lindsay Abaire; ESTHER (by Liz Swados, which also toured Italy); LENNY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS (NYSF) directed by Joe Papp; TROUBLE IN TAHITI (Dinah); and NOT SO NEW FACES, by Stuart Ross.
Her Regional credits are extensive, having performed in over 25 productions at The Berkshire Theater Festival (with Kristin Chenoweth), Williamstown Theater Festival (with Christopher Reeve and Allison Janney), The Guthrie, Hartford Stage, The Papermill Playhouse (Best Actress in a Musical for COMFORTABLE SHOES), Actor’s Theater of Louisville, Ford’s Theater, Alliance Theater, Sacramento CLO and MUNI CLO to name a few.
Nancy can be seen in Disney’s HEAVYWEIGHTS; ELEMENTARY (CBS); TIME TRUMPETS AND THE DAVE CHAPPELL SHOW (Comedy Central); ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ANOTHER WORLD; LOVING; CITY KIDS; and several appearances on THE DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW as Dave’s wife.
She has been the soloist for Peter Nero both with the Philly Pops and the Florida Philharmonic, as well as many Concert performances and recordings, and is a contributing member of The LARK THEATER, working with renowned playwright, Arthur Kopit. Nancy can be seen on dozens of T.V. commercials, and is busy raising her daughters, Cady and Maddie, with her husband, Broadway Production Supervisor Chris Smith.
Nancy is also an in-demand teacher, having a degree in Music Education, and teaches acting and voice out of her own Studio: Professional Instruction for the Singing Actor. She has done workshops all over the country, been an Artist in Residence at the acclaimed Bergen Academies, and taught and directed the Musical Theater Program for 6 years at The Actor’s Camp in Mountainside, NJ, where Producer Paul O’Connor wrote,” There are very few in the world of theatre who are not only extremely talented, but have the ability and passion to pass it on to the next generation. Nancy Ringham is one of those few.”
SUSAN VARDY
Susan’s professional theatrical experience spans from performing center stage, to directing, and producing.
As a performer, Susan has worked extensively in musical theater with principal roles in international, regional, NYC, shows such as Hello, Dolly! (Minnie Fay, dir. Lee Roy Reams), Fiddler on the Roof (Chava, w/ Theodore Bikel), Slay it with Music (w/Barry Williams), Gypsy (Dainty June, w/Beth Fowler), Into the Woods (Little Red; Milwaukee), Baby (Lizzie; St. Louis), 1776 (Abigail), and more. Here in Tenafly, Susan has directed, produced, & performed at the Kaplen JCC as part of the Palisades Players.
Susan has been seen on TV in shows including The Cosby Show and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, as well as on stage at NYC cabaret venues, where (pre-covid) she was often found belting out show tunes.
Susan’s current professional focus is working with youth and teen actors to help them develop their potential onstage. She has directed and choreographed numerous youth productions, including her work locally as the director/choreographer at Tenafly Middle School and with Acting Out in Westfield, NJ, where she teaches musical theatre.
A Carnegie Mellon musical theatre and acting grad, Susan is well-versed in all genres of theatre from classical texts to musicals, and in all aspects of theatre production. She is also well-versed in psychological science, with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, a background she finds invaluable in interpreting, portraying, and directing what happens on stage. Susan believes strongly in the transformative power of the theatrical experience, both for the performer and the audience, and encourages everyone to engage in the arts for personal discovery and growth.