About Bright Star Productions & Our Amazing Board of Directors!

Bright Star is a non-profit community musical theater group for youth. We provide opportunities for youth to experience the joy and richness that come from participating in uplifting musical theater as they develop friendships and create memories. Bright Star seeks to help these youth develop theatrical skills in a nurturing environment, which fosters self-esteem through achievement. Additionally, the kids learn dedication, self-discipline, and teamwork as they prepare and share their production with the community. Our hope is to give youth a platform to brightly shine as actors and in character.

We formed in December 2022. Our long-term objective is to offer youth ages 8-18 of Idaho Falls and its surrounding area an opportunity to experience the joys of theater and singing and give the community quality, family-oriented theater productions every year. Our first season we started by working with youth in grades 7-9. In our second season, we expanded our program to add a younger group, so we were able to work with kids in grades 4-9! We also added a show choir and offered acting master classes in the summer. For our third season, we have been able to expand the age range even further, so we now offer theatrical experiences for kids in grades 4-12!

Taneil Serr: President & Executive Director

Bright Star Productions' President & Executive Director—since 2022 Executive Director, Rimrock Elementary Drama Club—7 years Executive Director, Alturas Drama Club—4 years IFYAC Summer Theater Camps (Director, Stage Manager, & Costume Technician)—13 years Volunteer, Thunder Ridge Productions—1 year Board Member, IFYAC—1 year Costume Technician, AACT—1 year Music Teacher, Rimrock Elementary School—1 year

Stacy Aughney: Creative Director & Leads Specialist
	Bright Star Productions' Creative Director & Leads Specialist—since 2022 ISU Theater Classes: Stage Craft; Introduction to Acting; Debate, Theater and Speech Practicum Bachelor’s Degree, Secondary Education (emphasis in Speech Communication) Teacher (High School and Middle School)—4 years Speech and Debate Coach—2 years Rimrock Elementary Drama Club Volunteer—3 years

Maren McLeod: Financial Officer & Producer
	Bright Star Productions' Financial Officer & Producer—since 2022 Private Piano Teacher—25+ years Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering Bright Star Productions—2+ years

Cindy Bahr: Advertising Director & Operations Officer
	Master's Degree from BYU in English: Rhetoric & Communication Bachelor's Degree from Utah State in English: Technical Communication & Rhetoric Technical Writer—7 years Teacher at BYU (English)—2 years Teacher at BYU-I (English)—8 years

Kim Jerde: Public Relations Manager & Director
	Rising Star Theatre Founder & President—2 years Rising Star Theatre Producer & Publicist—1 year IFYAC Youth Volunteer (Backstage, Costumes, Props, & Set up)—5 years IFYAC Props Master—1 year IFYAC Summer Theatre Camp Costumes—1 year

Katie Staker: Head Choreographer, Show Choir Liaison, & Director
	Head Choreographer for the ShowBiz Entertainers Show Choir Assistant Choreographer for Bright Star Productions’ 2025 Newsies Jr. Majored in Communication & Minored in Performance Arts at BYU-Idaho Coached a Dance Team at BYU-Idaho