Some new faces will be found at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse as five former staffers move on from the local theater.

The Merry-Go-Round is saying good-bye to Emma Pisano, an administrative assistant who retired in September.

Pisano had been with the theater for 12 years. She has been replaced by Mary Brooks, a former administrative assistant at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Also taking her leave is long-time production stage manager and education theater coordinator Stacy Blackburn. She will be returning to her home state of Minnesota to pursue an academic career as a professor at Bemidji State University in Bemidji.

Nancy Bates has also stepped down as accounting clerk for the theater. She has left to pursue a degree from Wells College in Aurora. Both positions remain unfilled.

Mike DeForrest, the theater's youth tour company manager, has decided to leave his position at the Merry-Go-Round to follow a career in television and film production with his company Silent Partner Productions. DeForrest will be replaced by James Cantu, who has been with the youth theater for two years, though he will remain a member of the youth theater company for this season.

While not leaving the theater, Dena Borders, former resident master electrician, will be taking on a new role in the organization.

As production and facility manager, Borders will oversee technical production of youth touring shows as well as maintaining playhouse equipment and facilities.