THE COMPANY
A Saturday’s Child is the premiere special event company. With a pioneer spirit and signature style, this arts and entertainment company presents clever and innovative productions in a surprising variety of venues. Whether addressing a theme, celebrating an occasion or delivering a message, we can tailor a property to satisfy a need or suit a moment.
A Saturday’s Child creates and produces original properties for stage. We offer a catalogue of polished, packaged, professional shows designed for the long run or as a special event. These shows are individually fashioned to be appropriate for targeted ages, groups and organizations. They are easily mounted, easily adaptable, well-paced and affordable. Road-tested and built to travel, this company’s original works bear proven audience appeal and production marketability.
A Saturday’s Child has remarkable prowess in creating, developing and producing promotional and commercial film work for private parties, public services and corporate markets.
In the wide spectrum of arts and entertainment, we have carved out a select piece of the pie and have become focused, proficient, experienced and recognized. A Saturday’s Child does special events.
A Saturday’s Child creates and produces original properties for stage. We offer a catalogue of polished, packaged, professional shows designed for the long run or as a special event. These shows are individually fashioned to be appropriate for targeted ages, groups and organizations. They are easily mounted, easily adaptable, well-paced and affordable. Road-tested and built to travel, this company’s original works bear proven audience appeal and production marketability.
A Saturday’s Child has remarkable prowess in creating, developing and producing promotional and commercial film work for private parties, public services and corporate markets.
In the wide spectrum of arts and entertainment, we have carved out a select piece of the pie and have become focused, proficient, experienced and recognized. A Saturday’s Child does special events.
Dambra Sabato, Founder & Artistic Director
Dambra Sabato works in the arts as a writer, director, producer, performer, film maker, consultant and teacher. Born in Philadelphia, he appeared in many of the East coast’s most notable entertainment venues. Following a successful tour with the Santa Fe improvisational troupe ‘Rimshot’, he returned as a featured Atlantic City entertainer from 1981 to 1994. Since then, his creative dexterity has included stand-up comedy, radio, film and television collaborations, storytelling, motivational speaking, cultural and educational programming, production consulting, another improvisational outing with the performance ensemble ‘Twist-Id’ and the CD release of ‘Calm Before the Storm’ (original music and lyrics).
As a partner and Artistic Director for Left Field, unLtd., he wrote and directed shows and special events for Atlantic City casino properties. ‘SHABOOM’, their critical and box office success, is the only Atlantic City casino show ever to be presented by three different properties. In 2003, Dambra wrote and directed the final holiday production for the Sands Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City.
With an instinct for conceptual design and a talent for troubleshooting, his consulting practice remains active doing artwork, text work, voice work, media copy, jingles, speeches, publicity, promotional and public relations pieces.
Dambra taught professional child, teen and adult acting classes for over forty years. He participated in Arts in the Schools programs; State Teen Arts Festivals; and, as ‘artist in residence’, aided in the creation and development of Core Curriculum Content for Visual and Performing Arts. He has offered Master Classes in NYC and maintains an active roster of acting students.
Funded by grants from New Jersey’s Stockton University, and Council on Aging, Dambra has been teaching elders for the last several years. Coursework includes beginners and advanced creative writing, intermediate and journeyman acting and ‘History of the Performing Arts’ (all original curriculum).
He partnered in ShorefireNewJersey, an entertaining travel and tourism website showcasing over 70 film features, which he wrote and directed.
A Saturday’s Child, his arts and entertainment company, develops and produces original artistic and commercial properties for stage, special events, film and video media. Offering an impressive catalogue, the company presents clever and innovative productions in a surprising variety of venues.
His latest written works, ‘The Misguided Muse, thoughts in translation’ (a collection of essays) and ‘The Fablemaster’s Tales’ (a children’s offering) are seeking publication. ‘Florentine Chess’, from his ‘Backstories' series of one-act plays had another outing in late 2019, while yet another run for ‘Monday Night Monologues’ and two new stage productions are being readied for 2020.
Dambra's life is kept busy...working in the arts.
As a partner and Artistic Director for Left Field, unLtd., he wrote and directed shows and special events for Atlantic City casino properties. ‘SHABOOM’, their critical and box office success, is the only Atlantic City casino show ever to be presented by three different properties. In 2003, Dambra wrote and directed the final holiday production for the Sands Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City.
With an instinct for conceptual design and a talent for troubleshooting, his consulting practice remains active doing artwork, text work, voice work, media copy, jingles, speeches, publicity, promotional and public relations pieces.
Dambra taught professional child, teen and adult acting classes for over forty years. He participated in Arts in the Schools programs; State Teen Arts Festivals; and, as ‘artist in residence’, aided in the creation and development of Core Curriculum Content for Visual and Performing Arts. He has offered Master Classes in NYC and maintains an active roster of acting students.
Funded by grants from New Jersey’s Stockton University, and Council on Aging, Dambra has been teaching elders for the last several years. Coursework includes beginners and advanced creative writing, intermediate and journeyman acting and ‘History of the Performing Arts’ (all original curriculum).
He partnered in ShorefireNewJersey, an entertaining travel and tourism website showcasing over 70 film features, which he wrote and directed.
A Saturday’s Child, his arts and entertainment company, develops and produces original artistic and commercial properties for stage, special events, film and video media. Offering an impressive catalogue, the company presents clever and innovative productions in a surprising variety of venues.
His latest written works, ‘The Misguided Muse, thoughts in translation’ (a collection of essays) and ‘The Fablemaster’s Tales’ (a children’s offering) are seeking publication. ‘Florentine Chess’, from his ‘Backstories' series of one-act plays had another outing in late 2019, while yet another run for ‘Monday Night Monologues’ and two new stage productions are being readied for 2020.
Dambra's life is kept busy...working in the arts.
Chelsea DiPilla, Executive Producer
Smart, skilled and resourceful, Chelsea DiPilla was recruited by A Saturday’s Child, and has proven to be a valuable asset as partner and more than well suited to her position as Creative Director.
Her role is to recognize, nurture and protect people’s good ideas. The title ‘Creative Director’ is a bit of a misnomer; It has been said a more appropriate title would be ‘thought wrangler’. The abilities to lead and inspire others are key.
Chelsea supports the creative vision by maintaining a cohesive look and feel of the project and ensuring the visuals, messaging, designs and internet outreach are on point. She establishes budgets and timelines and manages client relationships. As Creative Director, she plans marketing, oversees the creative process and gives guidance to the creative people that work under her.
As a performer, Chelsea DiPilla is passionate, well equipped and hungry by nature. A sampling of her work includes a television commercial at 5; musical theatre at ECU; featured vocalist at Atlantic City Taj Mahal’s 2008 New Year’s Eve celebration; a national web commercial; co-host for ShorefireNewJersey, a travel and tourism website; and the host of ‘Vaudeville’, an authentic 1926 recreation. She is that rare breed of actor, driven to improve, destined to explode. Her most recent outing was as Lisa Del Giocondo in the play, ‘Florentine Chess’.
Inspired by yesterday’s legends and today’s giants, her self-produced, self-titled, debut CD showcases her distinctive and versatile vocal style and appealing original lyrics. She is a stage performer, songwriter/musician, graphic designer, photographer, animal activist, certified aesthetician and business entrepreneur…so far.
Chelsea DiPilla is a multitalented multitasker. Bright, inquisitive, creative and fearless, she combines well-honed people skills, a sensitivity for the artistic temperament and a talent for getting things done. She is able to combine a rational business instinct with style and substance, while still pursuing her performance career. We are most fortunate to have her with us.
Her role is to recognize, nurture and protect people’s good ideas. The title ‘Creative Director’ is a bit of a misnomer; It has been said a more appropriate title would be ‘thought wrangler’. The abilities to lead and inspire others are key.
Chelsea supports the creative vision by maintaining a cohesive look and feel of the project and ensuring the visuals, messaging, designs and internet outreach are on point. She establishes budgets and timelines and manages client relationships. As Creative Director, she plans marketing, oversees the creative process and gives guidance to the creative people that work under her.
As a performer, Chelsea DiPilla is passionate, well equipped and hungry by nature. A sampling of her work includes a television commercial at 5; musical theatre at ECU; featured vocalist at Atlantic City Taj Mahal’s 2008 New Year’s Eve celebration; a national web commercial; co-host for ShorefireNewJersey, a travel and tourism website; and the host of ‘Vaudeville’, an authentic 1926 recreation. She is that rare breed of actor, driven to improve, destined to explode. Her most recent outing was as Lisa Del Giocondo in the play, ‘Florentine Chess’.
Inspired by yesterday’s legends and today’s giants, her self-produced, self-titled, debut CD showcases her distinctive and versatile vocal style and appealing original lyrics. She is a stage performer, songwriter/musician, graphic designer, photographer, animal activist, certified aesthetician and business entrepreneur…so far.
Chelsea DiPilla is a multitalented multitasker. Bright, inquisitive, creative and fearless, she combines well-honed people skills, a sensitivity for the artistic temperament and a talent for getting things done. She is able to combine a rational business instinct with style and substance, while still pursuing her performance career. We are most fortunate to have her with us.
Ray Croce, Managing Director
Ray Croce has been able to successfully straddle the real world by day and the artistic world by night. By keeping one foot in each arena he brings a unique perspective to his role as Managing Director of A Saturday’s Child. Using his experience as a manager in the Healthcare field, Ray’s role will be creating a firm foundation from which A Saturday’s Child can build a quality property.
Ray has worked in the field of Radiation Oncology for over thirty years. During that time he has held managerial and administrative positions for several major university hospitals in the Philadelphia area. He is sure that the business acumens he has learned will translate to the artistic demands of this company. As he likes to point out, “A contract is still a contract and a budget is still a budget.”
As an artist Ray began as a musician in the 1970’s. He plays both guitar and bass along with a little piano. He has performed with garage bands and clubs bands as well as spending a couple of years as a street player on South Street in Philadelphia. Ray still continues to play with a few friends.
In 1993 Ray made his stage debut and since then as performed in over 50 productions from Philadelphia to Atlantic City. Ray also began performing along with Dambra Sabato in “Twist Id”, a fast paced improvisational comedy troupe. 2003 saw Ray join forces with four other like minded creative people to form “Actors Core Theater Company”. ACT mounted 8 successful theatrical seasons and 3 semesters of acting classes. His time with this company saw Ray work as an actor, director, producer and teacher. Going back to the skills he honed with “Twist Id” Ray began writing and performing short form comedy skits with “Government Cheese Theory”. This was a multimedia approach to comedy that used live performance combined with digital film.
Ray brings security to the company on several levels. His theatrical prowess is a staple. Dambra has called Ray “a master of illusion, a seducer of audiences...a formfitting, shape-shifting, always believable chameleon, the consummate character actor.” He has always been a first choice for Dambra in casting. Friends for many years, Croce and Sabato have grown fraternally close, becoming supportive and protective of one another...perfect positioning. Able to see and interpret, Ray can provide secure foundations upon which to create shows. Able to see and advise, Ray can reel in the sometimes overly zealous artistic director with caring guidance. Ray often describes his job title as ‘the leash’. Croce and Sabato have a history that guarantees a future.
A clear thinker, a competent negotiator and a serious artist, Ray is certain to get the job done.
Ray has worked in the field of Radiation Oncology for over thirty years. During that time he has held managerial and administrative positions for several major university hospitals in the Philadelphia area. He is sure that the business acumens he has learned will translate to the artistic demands of this company. As he likes to point out, “A contract is still a contract and a budget is still a budget.”
As an artist Ray began as a musician in the 1970’s. He plays both guitar and bass along with a little piano. He has performed with garage bands and clubs bands as well as spending a couple of years as a street player on South Street in Philadelphia. Ray still continues to play with a few friends.
In 1993 Ray made his stage debut and since then as performed in over 50 productions from Philadelphia to Atlantic City. Ray also began performing along with Dambra Sabato in “Twist Id”, a fast paced improvisational comedy troupe. 2003 saw Ray join forces with four other like minded creative people to form “Actors Core Theater Company”. ACT mounted 8 successful theatrical seasons and 3 semesters of acting classes. His time with this company saw Ray work as an actor, director, producer and teacher. Going back to the skills he honed with “Twist Id” Ray began writing and performing short form comedy skits with “Government Cheese Theory”. This was a multimedia approach to comedy that used live performance combined with digital film.
Ray brings security to the company on several levels. His theatrical prowess is a staple. Dambra has called Ray “a master of illusion, a seducer of audiences...a formfitting, shape-shifting, always believable chameleon, the consummate character actor.” He has always been a first choice for Dambra in casting. Friends for many years, Croce and Sabato have grown fraternally close, becoming supportive and protective of one another...perfect positioning. Able to see and interpret, Ray can provide secure foundations upon which to create shows. Able to see and advise, Ray can reel in the sometimes overly zealous artistic director with caring guidance. Ray often describes his job title as ‘the leash’. Croce and Sabato have a history that guarantees a future.
A clear thinker, a competent negotiator and a serious artist, Ray is certain to get the job done.
Frank Sabato, Creative Consultant (1954-2012)
At another time, in another place, this credit would have read ‘consigliere’. Frank Sabato had deep resources for entertainment and history at his ready disposal. Having a remarkable wealth of data and detail, he supplied artistic reference and period relevance. He provided insight, influence, invaluable guidance and a unique and fresh perspective.
Frank also had an incredible grasp of cinema, knowing writers, directors, producers, everyone involved with the making of a film, down the the gaffer on the second unit. His diversity of knowledge and breadth of facts was far from trivial. He had answers that would send another researcher off ‘googling’. He was well read, well informed and able to connect seemingly unconnected facts and details. What a wonderful mind.
This company is grateful to him and will feel his loss. We will miss his companionship and collaboration.
Frank also had an incredible grasp of cinema, knowing writers, directors, producers, everyone involved with the making of a film, down the the gaffer on the second unit. His diversity of knowledge and breadth of facts was far from trivial. He had answers that would send another researcher off ‘googling’. He was well read, well informed and able to connect seemingly unconnected facts and details. What a wonderful mind.
This company is grateful to him and will feel his loss. We will miss his companionship and collaboration.
At the heart of A Saturday’s Child’s productions is a company of highly-skilled actors, performers, and production professionals. It is their dedication to the art and their much valued alliance with this company that allows us to attempt and achieve greater creative heights and unparalled performance events.
The Skylark Repertory Company is a constantly growing number of artists, reflecting range, scope and diversity, enhancing our presence and enabling future innovation. They are accomplished practitioners of the trade, working with many different theater, film and entertainment organizations, appearing on stages across the country. They are the miraculous building blocks upon which we create new and inventive signature properties.
A Saturday’s Child is honored by the association and collaboration of this remarkable roster of talent, experience and acclaim.
Why Skylark?
The skylark is among the most melodic of all the songbirds,
unable to contain his nature to sing.
It’s very name, ‘lark’, means to frolic, a spree of self expression.
And, a gathering of skylarks is called an ‘exaltation’.
The Skylark Repertory Company is a constantly growing number of artists, reflecting range, scope and diversity, enhancing our presence and enabling future innovation. They are accomplished practitioners of the trade, working with many different theater, film and entertainment organizations, appearing on stages across the country. They are the miraculous building blocks upon which we create new and inventive signature properties.
A Saturday’s Child is honored by the association and collaboration of this remarkable roster of talent, experience and acclaim.
Why Skylark?
The skylark is among the most melodic of all the songbirds,
unable to contain his nature to sing.
It’s very name, ‘lark’, means to frolic, a spree of self expression.
And, a gathering of skylarks is called an ‘exaltation’.