Our
Staff
Ali Coes
Founder, Theater
Ali’s love of theater goes back to childhood, where her imagination was set alight by the Charles River Creative Arts Program. Since her first summer as a camper there, Ali has pursued all things silly, expressive, imaginative and creative!
Ali is a certified Theater Teacher with a B.A. in Theater Education from the University of New Hampshire. She has spent her entire life in classrooms of every kind, teaching theater to kids as little as two, all the way up to adults. She is also a director of musicals and plays for kids and adults. She has a deeply held belief that theater is essential for every child and has devoted her life to creating safe spaces for kids to explore their creativity and imagination.
CRCAP inspired her so deeply that Ali founded her company, Little Spark Theater to spread theater and creativity to as many kids as possible. Then, in the summer of 2024, her dream came true: Little Spark Creative Arts was founded in partnership with Bancroft Summer. It was her deepest desire to spread some of the creative magic she felt as a kid at CRCAP to the Worcester-area community.
She is endlessly grateful for the opportunity to bring creative exploration to kids all over the state through her work with LST and LSCA.
Adam Brooks
Music
For almost twenty years, Adam has developed curriculum and programming for many summer programs all across Massachusetts, including Firefly Theater Works (Acton), Artbarn (Brookline), Charles River Creative Arts (Dover), and Summer at CSW (Weston). He is thrilled to be part of the Little Spark team! He has been a consultant for new programs, advising on structure, mission, and logistics, as well as a passionate educator, counselor, and performing arts specialist.
A graduate of Oberlin College and Berklee College of Music, Adam specializes in all things musical theater, creating fun, engaging, and accessible classes where kids regularly get to practice collaboration, critical listening, creativity, and cooperation skills, all through various forms of play. He deeply believes that summer camp and arts education have the power to be a transformative experience for young people of all ages.
Jena DelCid
Art
Jena is an educator and artist from Worcester. She created the after school program at the Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness, which included classes in theater and art. In addition, she teaches stained glass classes for adults and singing classes to young kids locally in Worcester! She’s a singer, mom, activist and creative power-house!
During the school year, Jena works as a Special Education Team Chair, working with parents and teachers to create learning plans for students.
Meri Leiker
Dance
Meredith is a passionate dancer and performer, beginning her journey at the age of three and gracing local stages by nine. She attended an advanced Dance and Acting program in high school and went on to study dance and theater at Regis college. With a love for teaching ignited in high school, she founded a vibrant dance program for children in Brookline and at local YMCA’s where she also taught dance fitness. Her expertise flourished at studios in Wellesley, Waltham and around Massachusetts, culminating in five transformative years as the assistant director of the Cape Cod Dance Center.
A seasoned performer, Meredith has collaborated with esteemed companies such as Cape Rep, Reagle Players, Turtle Lane, Provincetown Theater, Theatre 3, and the Concord Players and more. Notably, she served as the choreographer and cast member for the Gold Dust Orphans, captivating audiences in Provincetown, Boston, and Off-Broadway for many years. Her work has garnered multiple nominations and wins for prestigious awards, including the Elliot Norton and Dash Awards, reflecting her dedication to the arts.
From Meri, “My dance teaching approach emphasizes cognitive engagement and emotional expression to support brain health and anti-aging by stimulating neuroplasticity. Dance is a powerful tool that brings immense joy to my life and by creating a supportive environment where participants explore movement, enhance their coordination, and build confidence I hope to spread that joy. Being in a room with others—creating, moving, and laughing together—fosters a healing atmosphere that nurtures well-being from the inside out, promoting not just dance skills but also vital community connections.”
