Founder/Artistic Director -Jessie Rogowski
Growing up in the midwest, Jessie studied Film/Television Production and Vocal Performance at Butler University. Soon enough, New York City was calling her name where she worked her way up as a professional television editor. (More about Jessie’s editing life can be found here)
However, the girl who tapped and sang her way to the edit bay knew that editing alone couldn't quench her thirst for creative expression. She found her outlet - performing with several jazz bands throughout Chicago and NYC and spent five years in an orchestral indie-pop band called “All Boy/All Girl”, that toured America. But she truly missed musical theater, and had a growing interest in the concept of immersion. In the fall of 2018, she gathered a group of artists to produce a pop-up performance of Rent on her rooftop in Brooklyn with immersive elements. What began as a whimsical musical experiment flourished into a full-fledged theater company, boasting eleven resident actors and a remarkable lineup of musicians, featured actors, and creatives.
After 12 years in NYC, Jessie currently resides an hour north of the city in Peekskill, NY, sharing her Tudor home with her feline companion Bella, and British partner in crime, Adrian.
Managing Director - Andrew Childers
Andrew has been with the Rooftop Musical Society since its inaugural performance of RENT in 2018. Andrew began his career working in politics in Ohio, and spent time as the Executive Director of a small nonprofit advocacy organization in Cincinnati before moving to New York City in 2016 and taking a job with The Legal Aid Society, where he currently works. He has an MPA from The Maxwell School at Syracuse University and an undergraduate degree in Political Science from The Ohio State University.
Andrew also was very active in singing and theater in high school and college, and upon moving to New York has performed with a number of theater companies and musical organizations since- with some of his favorite performances being with RMS. He lives in Hamilton Heights.
Production Manager - Jordan Griffey
Jordan Griffey is currently the Director of Operations at Snaplistngs, a full-funnel real estate marketing agency. He graduated from NYU having majored in both Musical Theater Vocal Performance and the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. Throughout his career, he has jumped at every learning opportunity that has been presented to him regarding learning new skills and technologies. Jordan has been involved with Rooftop Musical Society since its inaugural production of RENT and has used his technological experience to upgrade the technical aspects of each subsequent show consistently. He has taken his passion for both theater and technology and has found the perfect home as Production Manager at Rooftop Musical Society.
Emily Spencer Munson - Membership Director
Emily is a founding member of Rooftop Musical Society and is thrilled to contribute to the growth and success of the company in her role on the Executive Board. Emily attended the University of Southern California, where she was recognized as a Renaissance Scholar for earning a B.A. in Economics and completing minors in Business Law and Musical Theater. She went on to earn a J.D. from the Duke University School of Law, and began practice as a commercial litigator in New York City. After six years of practice, she transitioned into a role in business development at Davis Polk & Wardwell.
External Affairs/ Immersion Director - Katie Curtis-Lynch
Katie Curtis-Lynch is a founding member of Rooftop Musical Society and has delighted audiences as The Bakers Wife in Into the Woods, Caroline in Island Song, and Martha in Spring Awakening.
Technical Director- JJ Costabile
J.J. Costabile grew up in Merrick, Long Island, so he feels like he can say he's been a lifelong New Yorker even though it's definitely a stretch. He graduated from Villanova University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and during the day he designs HVAC systems with architects and developers. With RMS he's played Moritz in Spring Awakening, The Narrator/Wolf in Into the Woods, and Berger in Hair.