Local teen to appear in ‘New Voices’ at Paper Mill

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — Glen Ridge High School senior Stephen Hoebee-Elardo will be performing in his seventh consecutive “New Voices,” at the Paper Mill Playhouse later this month.

“I love musical theater,” Stephen said in a recent interview. “I love the ability and the chance to get up in front of people and sing and dance.”

Stephen, 17, comes from a musical-theater background. His father is Mark Hoebee, the producing artistic director of the Paper Mill Playhouse.

“I grew up watching the shows at the Paper Mill,” he said. “I just loved it and thought this is what I want to do.”

As a performer, he started young; younger even than he was for his first “New Voices,” in 2010.

“Since pre-school, I was always finding myself in front of an audience of a few people or on a stage,” he said.

“New Voices,” an annual midsummer show, is the culmination of the summer musical theater conservatory program at the Paper Mill Playhouse. This year, it features the singing and dancing ability of 120 performers, ages 10 to 18.

The show always has a theme and “Everything Old is New Again” is the theme for this year. Stephen will be part of a group singing, “The Song of Purple Summer,” from the musical “Spring Awakening.”

Songs from Broadway productions having a biographical background are part of the “New Voices 2016” theme. Having history playing an integral part of the show resonates with Stephen.

“I have a strong passion toward theater history,” he said. “In theater, there is a biographical source in most shows — a person, an event, or a time. That helps me draw into musical theater more of a reality and makes it more enjoyable to perform and watch.”

He has not performed in GRHS productions, but the last four years has appeared with the Gas Lamp Players, a community theater located in Glen Ridge.

But Stephen is not the only theater guy in the house.
“My dad is very supportive of me and loves that I share his interest in theater,” he said. “He loves the ability that

we can relate in what we both find so passionate. We’re both passionate about the arts. That’s been a big influence in my life.”

His favorite role so far has been that of “Trekkie Monster,” in “Avenue Q.”
“Avenue Q” is a musical that combines human characters with puppets and puppeteers. The original Broadway production won the the 2004 Tony award for best musical, book and score. Stephen played Trekkie Monster with the Gas Lamp Players this past December.

“It was a very comedic role,” he said. “It forced me to go outside my comfort zone. I had to use a puppet and a different voice than my ordinary voice. It was different than what I would do on a normal basis. It was challenging but it taught me more of what I can do as a performer.”

With college ahead, Stephen said he would like to major in education and become a history teacher but stay close to the stage. He said he would love to do local theater and direct plays at different schools.

“Acting has helped me connect with my emotions and speaking ability,” he said. “On a day-to-day basis, it’s helped me with my social skills. It also has given me great experiences, what I’ve seen on the stage.”

But before college, over the next year, he would like to perform several more times with the Gas Lamp Players, or at the high school.

“And hopefully, at the Paper Mill conservatory next season,” Stephen said.
“New Voice 2016” will be performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, on Friday, July 29, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, July 30, at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. An admission fee will be charged.

  Broadway, Paper Mill Playhouse