Christa Piper Takes the Spotlight

By Catarina Cruz

College Hill Writer

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! is to be directed by the talented Sussex County native Christa Piper!

Photo by J. Jeffreys

Sussex County Community College’s spring musical “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown!” is directed by Sussex County resident and guest director Christa Piper!

The play is set to take place on April 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12 in the Performing Arts Center at SCCC in Newton. Piper is a resident of Hamburg and the artistic director of the North Star Theater Company located in Sussex County. Her artistic journey has spanned more than 16 years of theater experience and, as she explains, it was not a simple endeavor. 

With a father in the military, Piper grew up across a variety of locales that gave her a “beautiful, wonderful childhood of learning different cultures and traveling the world,” she describes. She most remembers Germany and North Carolina, where she completed high school and fell in love with the theater. 

While her family stayed in North Carolina, she went to Montclair State University from 1981 to 1985, earning a bachelor’s in acting and directing. It was there when she found her niche in directing, envisioning a show, and helping actors bring their characters to life. Unfortunately, passion alone was not enough. 

“I kind of went away from theater for several years,” Piper says, “I didn’t pursue it. I was one of those people who got scared, which is very typical of a lot of people who go into the performing arts. You have this passion, you have this drive, and then you get to the reality of life.” 

For seven years, she would work in the corporate world before starting a family with her husband. A family was arguably more hectic than her previous job, with all its responsibilities and invested time. It had its upsides, however—in being so involved, she got to know the communities of Sussex County much better. 

By the time she had three kids, Piper found another full-time job that left little time for herself or the arts. It was finally through her husband, who is also involved in the arts and has a degree in voice from Ithaca College, that she discovered Salt & Light Theater, a Sparta-based company. She worked there from 2009 to 2019 to produce shows such as “Godspell,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and “Children of Eden.”

Returning to the theater after 24 years, Piper says she felt intimidated. 

“It was scary at the same time because I had gotten away from that world for so long, and the first time directing back was very scary for me,” she said. “I was like, can I really do this? Is this going to work? And it did. I again fell in love with the whole process of bringing a show to life, seeing these characters come to life, seeing these actors portray them and find a voice, seeing them get excited about what they’re doing.”

Sadly, Salt & Light Theater stopped producing shows and went defunct shortly after her final show with them, “The Music Man.” The lack of a creative outlet was sorely felt, and it took a couple of years of searching before a friend from Salt & Light reached out. They were involved with a new group in Sussex County, North Star Theater Company, and they needed a director for the current production after the previous one stepped down.

“It was almost like the universe saying here’s your opportunity, here’s your open door,” Piper says. “Grab it, go through it! So, I did, and that was a great introduction back into this theater world.”

In 2021, she joined North Star as the director for “Fuddy Meers.” With an interesting situation at hand—an already surreal show, now with a pre-existing cast who had different expectations and another director’s vision—this was her first introduction to Allison Ognibene, SCCC’s very own theater adjunct and director for many of the college’s productions.

The groundwork for their friendship was set through this production, and the two called on each other to help with separate productions throughout the years. Ognibene asked for Piper’s help to work on “She Kills Monsters” as the costume designer, where she ran into Dr. Deborah Gianuzzi, music adjunct and coordinator. Between the three, they shared decades of theatrical experience both on- and off-stage. 

As for how they came to work together for the 2025 spring semester, Piper explained how she and Gianuzzi were talking one day about their bucket lists and what they would love to be part of. 

“That’s kind of how 'You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!” is coming to life here,” Piper says. “Through Doc G and me having a passion and wanting to do it, and Allison helping to make it happen.”

Since rehearsals began in February, Piper says she has also enjoyed getting to know the students at SCCC. 

“I have enjoyed getting to know the ones I didn’t know and getting to know the ones I did know a little bit better, and they’re such a great group,” she said. “I’m excited for them because I think that for some of them, it’s going to be a challenge, this role. When we get to the performance and it gets pulled off, I’m going to be like the proudest mom.”

Under her guidance, actors are provided close guidance, encouraged to expand their skills both on and off the stage, and promised that they will have an enjoyable show.

When it comes to auditions, Piper advises keeping an open mind for both directors and actors. Being willing to do something different or repetitive when asked demonstrates both adaptability and an openness to change on the actor’s side, especially when the director is trying to determine the potential for growth. 

As for conflicting perspectives when the rehearsal process is underway, Piper is adamant that conversations can and must be held between the actor and director. Whether during the notes process or in private, an actor must be respectful and flexible to work with the director and reach a compromise.

“If you have a point of view that is different, have a conversation,” she says. “It should never be, I don’t want to, I can’t, or I won’t. It should be, can we talk about this. Because the moment you say I can’t or I won’t, you’re telling the director you’re closing your mind to whatever possibility that director might want to go in the direction of. And now you’re limiting what you are going to be doing and you’re limiting the director’s vision. It’s not fair to both of you.”

Piper provides great insight to the role of director and actor alike, emphasizing respect, adaptability, an open mind and above all, perseverance. 

“If you truly want this to make this your profession,” she says, “you cannot be defeated every time you hear the word no. A lot of times in this world, the professional performing arts world, you don’t hear back. You go for an audition, and in the professional world, they don’t call you and say you didn’t get it. You just never hear. You just have to keep going.”