Kayla Bowe is announced as the next MainStage Director of Ridley Performing Arts Program

Today, Ridley Performing Arts Program announces that New Jersey theatre director and educator Kayla Bowe has been selected as the next MainStage Director!

In November of 2025, Ethan McKellar shared with the staff that he would be stepping away from the MainStage Director position to focus on his role as Artistic Director/Board Member of RPAP while also serving a new position as Executive Director at a performing arts center in Harrisburg, PA. At the start of 2026, the executive leadership team began its search for a new MainStage Director to lead the flagship production of RPAP.

After a lengthy selection process, it was clear that previous RPAP Junior Director (High School Musical 2 Jr, Summer 2025) Kayla Bowe was the perfect choice to step forward into the MainStage Director role. Kayla's focus on student education & growth, while also possessing the skills to mount a full-scale musical, are key reasons she was selected for the position.

Kayla Bowe is a high-school theatre & public speaking teacher in New Jersey and received her Master's in Education K-12 from Rowan University. Outside of teaching, Kayla is as a freelance director and actor in the tri-state area and volunteers on the NJ Thespians Adult Board. Some of her recent directing credits include: The Wolves (PCS), The Addams Family (OHS), Charlotte's Web (OHS), and The Little Mermaid (OHS). She is currently directing BIG FISH at the Players Club of Swarthmore! '

When asked what she was most excited for, Kayla said, "I’m most excited to build on the relationships I made with actors & the production team during HSM2 Jr. while also making news ones! Here’s to a great summer!"

The whole RPAP team is thrilled to continue collaborating with Kayla, and we eagerly anticipate how her directing skills will influence our students and the program overall.