Boyertown Alum Returns to Co-Direct "Once Upon a Mattress"

by Lesley Misko

The last time Julia Kershetsky glided across the Boyertown Area Senior High (BASH) stage she was in the arms of a beast courting her love.  Portraying Belle in a production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Kershetsky at one point turned to the audience and belted out the song lyric, “There must be more than this provincial life!” 

Now, in a return to her “provincial roots,” the class of 2007 graduate, who studied musical theatre at New York University and appeared on many stages, has returned to BASH as drama director for this year’s musical production, Once Upon a Mattress. The show runs March 13 – 16, 2025 and tickets can be purchased online.  

It’s a “tale as old as time” – an adult returning home to where it all began. Kershetsky admits the unexpected opportunity to co-direct a BASH show has brought back “lots of memories,” adding that “it’s nice to be welcomed and feel at home.”

Kershetsky and BASH music director Jeffrey K. Brunner jointly selected this year’s production, which just had a successful revival run on Broadway.  “It is wonderful for a school group because it has so many roles, enabling a high level of participation,” explains Kershetsky.  “The music is fun to sing and doesn’t force young voices to exceed their capability and risk injury.” 

Based on the fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea, the show’s plot revolves around Prince Dauntless, who is seeking a wife. However, each of the beautiful young ladies competing for the honor is rejected by the prince’s mother, who tests each candidate and finds them not to be good enough for her son.  Finally, an unlikely and chaotic woman named Winnifred attempts to pass the test, and she astonishingly succeeds. 

Kershetsky says that she and Brunner like the central theme of the show, explaining it imparts the wisdom that “you can be yourself and be successful.  That’s a great lesson for young people.”

Learning, Teaching, and Acting 

Kershetsky’s own journey since graduating from BASH offers the current high school students additional inspiration and insight into what it takes to earn a living as a musical theatre professional.  Learning, teaching, and acting keep her beyond busy.  

Her first stop after graduating from Boyertown was Penn State.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and Vocal Performance, and performed in several operas, including The Marriage of Figaro.  Next came 18 months back in Boyertown, giving private voice lessons.

A stop in Philadelphia, with acting roles in area productions of shows including The Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof followed, along with meeting her future husband, Greg.  

Then, an admission to New York University (NYU) took Julia to the Big Apple, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Musical Theater and an Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy. It was while working as an adjunct faculty member during her graduate studies that Kershetsky discovered she also enjoyed classroom teaching. 

A New Role on a Familiar Stage

All of her experiences – on the stage and in the classroom – uniquely equipped Kershetsky for her latest role: directing BASH musical theater students.  

About her decision to return, Kershetsky says, “It’s nice to come back. It brings back lots of memories I haven’t thought about in a long while. I’m reminded of being a high school kid and that makes me eager to be helpful to these students and provide whatever guidance I can. I like the idea of helping to mentor them.” 

The new job has required a great deal of commuting and juggling her own busy performance schedule.   Since joining Actor’s Equity last year, Kershetsky was cast in several shows at locations ranging from a Delaware dinner theater to the Arden and Walnut Street Theaters. 

Kershetsky has also taken her acting in a different direction by appearing in television commercials, including one for Ocean City, MD and another for Gerber baby foods.  She also continues to teach at Molloy University, located on New York’s Long Island.  Now in her eighth year, she describes it as “a conservatory program for musical theater kids.”  Finally, Kershetsky gives voice lessons to students who range from amateurs singing as a hobby to those with professional aspirations. 

Despite this busy schedule, as well as thoughts of pursuing a PhD in music education that would enable her to run a musical theater program, Kershetsky feels her varied experiences and resulting organizational skills have been helpful in directing the show.   

“It is important for students and directors to respect each other’s time,” she explains.   One change she implemented is not having the entire cast attend each rehearsal, and instead, having small groups concentrate on their scenes. 

While she believes the students in the cast are mostly the same as she and her friends were “back in the day,” she is finding the kids to be “more open” and “more able to be themselves.”  

“As a college freshman, I was still figuring it out. I didn’t have my act together and I found myself during college. These kids are ahead of me,” Kershetsky notes.

Asked whether she would consider directing another BASH show, Kershetsky acknowledges that the commute from Philadelphia and her busy schedule have been quite challenging.  However, she says, “I would consider doing this again. I’m having a good time working with these students and I feel as though they are enjoying working with me.” 

Despite all the places she has been and things she has achieved, Julia Kershetsky feels that her BASH years were a significant contributor to her success. 

“Playing Belle in the 2007 BASH production of Beauty and the Beast is one of my most special high school memories.  Having that solo moment of singing Belle’s song, “A Change in Me.” Of course, everyone knows and loves the show. Little kids ran up to me and wanted to talk to me and know me because I became a princess in the story,” Kershetsky recalls.

Now, she and a new cast of BASH students hope to recreate that same experience for the community members of all ages as they are transported to a different enchanted land of make believe.

“At BASH we were lucky. The fact that we were able to do the big musicals instilled in me a desire to perform. It helped me to find my own footing as I went on. It gave me experience,” She adds, “The arts continue to be very important. They help kids discover themselves, define themselves, and give back to the community while doing so.” 

And that is exactly what Julia Kershetsky is doing as she works with the students and with Brunner, also a BASH alum, class of 2001.  Together, they and their students carry on the tradition of bringing the best to the BASH stage and learning in the process.

If you want to attend the show:

The curtain goes up on BASH’s production of Once Upon A Mattress on Thursday, March 13 at 7pm, with additional performances running through Sunday, March 16. For additional information on performance times, as well as to purchase tickets online in advance, visit BoyertownMusic.com .

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