About Next Scene NY

A teen-led nonprofit theatRE company

Who We Are

A Teen-Led TheatRE Nonprofit

Next Scene NY is the first teen-founded and entirely teen-led theatre company in Rockland County. Founded in 2025 by Roy Pan as a high school freshman, the company enables young artists to create, direct, and perform professional-quality productions while leading all aspects of the organization, including direction, choreography, music, production, and board leadership.

Our Mission

“A THEATRE WHERE EVERY YOUNG ARTIST CAN FIND THEIR ROLE ONSTAGE, BACKSTAGE, OR AS PART OF A CREATIVE TEAM.”

Inclusive
Accessible
Powered by Teens

Our mission is to expand access to theatre by placing teen artists at the center of creation, leadership, and performance. We create opportunities for teen artists of all experience levels to take on roles onstage, backstage, and across the creative team, fostering skill, discipline, and collaboration while supporting the next generation of theatre artists.

All participation is offered at no cost. In partnership with the YMCA of Rockland County’s Teens in Action program, we broaden access to meaningful artistic opportunities for young people in our community.

In partnership with Rockland County YMCA

Roy Pan

Founder & Artistic Director

Leadership

About Our Founder

Roy Pan is the Founder and Artistic Director of Next Scene NY. He founded the company as a freshman in high school, creating a teen-led theatre organization in Rockland County.

Roy serves as both director and musical director for all teen-directed and performed productions. He has trained with industry professionals for over three years and has been performing since age four in local community theatres as well as in multiple Off-Broadway productions. Roy has developed skills in singing, dancing, acting, and songwriting, and has studied classical piano for over twelve years, building a strong musical foundation.

Roy founded Next Scene NY to provide a platform where leadership roles including directors, choreographers, music directors, stage crew, production teams, and the board are held by teens. Through Next Scene, he empowers young artists to lead, create, and perform at a high standard.

Team

Youth Team

Ashley is a sophomore in high school and is the director and choreographer for Next Scene NY. She has been dancing and acting since the age of three and loved being on the stage.

Ashley trains in numerous dance styles at Steeltoes Dance Studio in Nanuet NY. She is on a competitive dance team and is also a part of her high school’s dance team. As she has starred in many shows, her favorite roles include Ariel in The Little Mermaid and Sherrie Christian in Rock of Ages.

Charleigh Taylor

Assistant Director & Choreographer

Ashley Kaluzna

Director & Choreographer

Emma is a sophomore in high school and is the Creative Director at Next Scene NY. She has been performing since the age of three and has always had a strong love for theatre.

Emma has worked with many professionals over the years and continues to actively participate in theatre productions. She works to shape the vision of each show while creating a positive and supportive environment for performers.

Emma Gusler

Creative Director

Lia is a passionate student and performer with a love for theatre arts. She has 4 years of theatre experience and some favorite roles include Number Nine from Complaint Department and Lemonade, Caitlyn from Mean Girls and a Mission Band Member from Guys and Dolls.

Behind the scenes, she manages logistics, phone calls, and emails while making sure that every performer has what they need to succeed.

Lia Fasano

Operations Coordinator