Springstead High Alum Returns to Lead Theater Program

Rocanelli takes center stage in “Seussical the Musical” as Horton, 2018. [Courtesy photo]

Springstead High School’s theater program is entering a new chapter as alumnus Christopher Rocanelli takes over as director, stepping into the role once held by his former mentor, Mark Pennington.

Rocanelli doesn’t see his position as just another teaching job. For him, it’s a dream fulfilled and a return home.

“Being the director at SHS theater was always a dream of mine,” he said. “When I decided I was going to teach, especially in Hernando County, I knew that one day I would be in this theater. As an alumnus of the program, I knew my goal was to provide the opportunities I had and more to future students. I was so fortunate to work with the absolute best people at Pine Grove, who allowed me the flexibility to teach and bring the arts back to Pine Grove and West Hernando. Without that foundation, I never would have felt ready for this job.”

His appointment also marks a generational shift, as he steps into the role once held by longtime director Mark Pennington.

“Mr. Pennington gave over thirty years to SHS and I absolutely have big shoes to fill,” he said. “He spent decades showing people the magic of live theater, myself included, and without his influence, I would have never felt confident enough to continue theater past high school. It is very surreal to be taking over this program and you can still see his influence in our performing arts community.”

Rocanelli’s directing style reflects the wide range of experiences he’s had, from early roles at Pine Grove Elementary to leadership at the University of North Florida (UNF) to professional theater work.

“At UNF, I expanded my experiences with both performance opportunities and my first true leadership roles by producing and directing. From there, performing during Theatre Jacksonville’s 100th season showed me the professionalism and collaboration of a historic program.

His theater experiences didn’t stop there. He moved on to becoming a founding member of theater groups for school-age students in Hernando County.

“At Live Oak Theatre,” he continued, “I performed and assistant directed, which deepened my understanding of the rehearsal process. Now, I’ve come full circle by co-founding Bear Tones Theatre at Pine Grove Elementary and West Hernando Middle School.”

Rocanelli on the SHS theater stage during the Meet the Director gala, August 2025 [Courtesy photo]

One of his priorities is building on Springstead’s thespian tradition.

“My work with thespian troupes has been one of the most influential parts of my theater journey,” he said. “As a student at Springstead, I served as co-president of Troupe 3910, where I was able to explore performance, technical theater, and leadership. Troupe 3910 has expanded from just 15 members last year to over 40 this year.”

That growth fuels his broader vision.

“My vision for the SHS Theater Department is to build a program that gives students a wide range of experiences in theater while also creating a strong sense of community,” he said.

“At the same time, I want the program to feel like a true community hub, where students feel supported, families feel welcome, and the larger Springstead and Hernando community sees our theater as something they are part of.”

He hopes to bring balance between musicals and plays, between fundamentals and experimentation, and between tradition and innovation.

“There are definitely productions and styles I’m excited to bring to SHS,” he said. “I would love to create more intimate theater experiences by incorporating full-length plays into our season, while also expanding beyond always producing children-centered musicals. Looking ahead, some productions [he’d] be especially excited to explore include ‘Mary Poppins,’ ‘Hadestown’ and ‘Anastasia.’”

His biggest challenge, he says, will be to restore stability after years of turnover.

“I think the biggest challenge will be rebuilding consistency and culture after the students have had several different acting teachers in just a few years,” he said. “My focus will be on creating regularity by setting clear standards, building trust, and developing a shared vision for what our theater program can be.”

Through it all, his focus remains on students.

“What I hope my students take away from working with me is the knowledge that theater is more than just putting on shows, it’s a family,” he said. “On stage, I want them to develop discipline, creativity, and the courage to take risks. Off stage, I hope they recognize how the skills they gain in theater, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, and resilience, apply to every part of their lives.”

And for him, the rewards are already clear.

“In just a few short weeks, these students have made me feel like I am home, and that sense of belonging is exactly what I hope to give back to them through theater.”