Puffs Creative
Director
Allyssa HynesAllyssa Hynes is thrilled to be directing the heartwarmingly magical and hilarious "Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic" by Matt Cox. She previously wrote and directed the WHATCO murder mystery dinner fundraisers "Trivia Night Murder," "Unlucky Clovers," and "Bridesmaid Murder", as well as the children's show "Monster Princess Tales." Allyssa serves on the WHATCO Board as the Creative Committee Chair, and has been seen on WHAT'S stage in shows such as "Rumors" (Chris) and "The Stinky Cheeseman" (Old lady/Wolf/Red Hen.) She has also written and directed "Superhero Princess Tales" at Studio Playhouse, and adaptations of Shakespearen comedies for children in South Jersey. Allyssa is also a mystery novelist and co-owner of an escape room.
Co-Stage Manager
Edmund SheaThis is Ed’s 15th WHATCo production and his third as Stage Manager. (Monster Princess Tales (2019) and Drop Dead (2023)). Ed also enjoys acting
as well having recently performed in the productions of Almost Maine (Chad),
Trivia Night Murder (Dan), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peter
Quince). He’s delighted to be working with the ridiculously talented Director
Allyssa Hynes, his co-Stage Manager John Westling and the wonderful &
talented Puffs cast. Ed enjoys the diversity of age, culture, and life experience
that comes with being involved in WHATCo and community theater and
hopes that we can all share the love for creativity that the arts offer. He hopes
you enjoy the magic of Puffs!
Co-Stage Manager
John WestlingJohn is excited to be co-Stage Manager for the hilarious and magical journey that is Puffs! This is John's second WHATCo production, serving as Assistant Stage Manager in A Midsummer Nights Dream (2023). He'd like to thank the wonderful Director, Allyssa Hynes, and co-Stage Manager Ed Shea for being so welcoming and supportive, plus the wonderful cast! Enjoy the show!
Producer
Brandi-Leigh MillerBrandi-Leigh has produced and directed multiple WHATCo productions, appeared on stage (Almost, Maine) and is proud to serve as the president of WHATCo's Board. She Co-Chairs the Creative Committee. A native of Alabama and Florida, Brandi-Leigh studied Vocal Performance at the Lois Cowles Harrison Performing Arts Center and Florida Southern College, focusing on both opera performance and business management. Beginning in her youth, she performed with local music and theater groups, and later as both a performer and producer at several Central Florida theme parks. After a career in politics and public policy, she relocated to Kearny to join her husband Jim and enjoys volunteering with many non-profit community organizations on issues related to women and youth, the arts, and education. In her professional life, Brandi-Leigh is the global director of attorney compliance for an international law firm. To the sound man, oodles and bunches!
Production Assistant
Michelle AlmeidaHIIIIIIIIIIIIII! Michelle has been in productions with WHATCo since she got her first lead role of Kira in Xanadu in 2012. Some of her favorites include Godspell (Celeste), 24 hour Musical: Back to the 80s, Cat in the Hat (Sally), Cinderella (Cinderella), Sleeping Beauty (Flora), Grease (Sandy), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Frieda). WHATCo has always been like a second home for Michelle. From performing to stage managing, painting sets and posting for @whatco_nj on instagram (go follow!). A true Hufflepuff, Michelle was thrilled to be a part of this production. THANK YOU to the friends and family who understand when I have to bail on plans for rehearsals, and THANK YOU for reading these bios and supporting this theater!
Costumer
Roman KosterHello everyone! My name is Roman and I am a professional cosplayer. I'm excited to show off some of my costumes in WhatCo's production of Puffs. Last spring, I've costumed the production You're A Good Man Charlie Brown and I look forward to growing as a costumer and performer.
Set Design/Construction
Brian SullivanBrian is excited to work with WHATCo for another season! His prior building credits include set design and construction for Little Shop of Horrors, Rhinoceros, and Bat Boy the Musical with 20 Cent Fiction Theatre Company. His prior work with WHATCo includes You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Great Gatsby, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Outside of theatre, Brian enjoys weekly donut trips with his wife, Samantha, and exploring with their dog, Winston.
Sound Designer
Jim MillerJim has done sound design for multiple WHATCo shows including Drop Dead!, Bridesmaid Murder, Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play, and Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. He also provides sound reinforcement for WHATCo's live events and singalongs. Jim studied audio engineering and recording at the Institute of Audio Research in New York City. Jim is thrilled to be a part of the Peanuts gang with this outstanding cast and crew and to have helped assemble the technical needs for WHATCo's new space in Harrison.
Lighting Designer
Luis Andrade
Lighting Advisor
Brooke GorsicaAlthough usually behind the scenes, Brooke is excited to join the WHATco stage. Brooke has been working professionally in theater on stage and backstage for over eight years. Some of her previous roles include- Catherine, PROOF (WHATco); Peaseblossom, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (The Virginia Shakespeare Festival); The Dog, THE BLIND (The Wheel Theater Company); Brooke Wyndham, LEGALLY BLONDE (York County School of the Arts); Belle, BEAUTY & THE BEAST (Backstage Productions). She is currently serving on the board of directors for West Hudson Arts & Theater Company as the Technical Advisor for Media & Lighting. When she isn't volunteering with WHATco, you can find her working as a creative digital content designer. To view her portfolio, please visit brookegorsica.com. Although you may see her as a 'brave' in Puffs, she is a very proud self-proclaimed 'smart' (which she means in the least egotistical way possible). She would like to thank Allyssa, Brandi-Leigh, Luis, Michelle and Will for all of their support and encouragement to return to the stage. Much love!
Master Electrician/Technical Advidor
Keith RaulersonKeith has worked with the talent of Nutley Little Theater, Studio Players Theater, Apricot Sky Productions, and was nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for his work with Teaneck New Theater. He is proud to be joining WHATCo for a second season to help create a memorable atmosphere with such a talented team.
Props Wizard
Rich BellinA designer of props, puzzles, and adventures, Rich likes to create things. He is excited to join WHATCo for Puffs! In addition to the props and Schroder's piano for WHATC's You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, he recently built and ran an escape room with Perilous Puzzles at the Kearny Library. Rich has also been known to teach ESL, High School Equivalency, and raise many plant children in his spare time.
Props Designer
Daniel Koo
Set Construction Assistant
Montserrat MendezWith a degree in Literature (British, Spanish, and Medieval) and Theatre from the University of Scranton, Montserrat's creative pursuits have taken him on a journey of exploration and growth. His work has been called a "Comic Masterwork" by critic Leonard Jacobs, and he has received the Best Playwriting Award at the 2008 New York International Fringe Festival for his sequel to The Importance of Being Earnest - Thoroughly Stupid Things. He has directed for several independent theatre companies, including Manhattan Theatre Source and Nylon Fusion Collective, and is a current creative core member of the Flux Theatre Company, a transformative theatre company that seeks to awaken the capacity for change. He is a proud co-founder of The MozzleStead Company. As well as Board Members of The Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute and The League of Independent Theater.
About the Playwright
Matt Cox is a playwright, actor, improviser, sound designer and former comic book retail associate based in New York City. His play Puffs, Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years At A Certain School Of Magic & Magic (2016 Off-Broadway Alliance Best Theatrical Experience Nominee) began as small show made by friends at a small comedy venue, the People's Improv Theater. It has since broken records off-Broadway in New York, was screened in movie theaters across the country with Fathom Events, and its production in Melbourne, Australia is Melbourne's longest-running play of the century.
His other work includes Happy Little Trees: A Bobyssey, Cool Chefs Jr., The Madness of Captain Dread and the four-hour geek epic Kapow-i GoGo (along with its spinoffs: The Kapow-i GoGo Holiday Special and I Am Mr. Snuggles.) He authored the radio play El Hombre Bovino for WNYC's The Greene Space, and was a contributing writer to The Flea Theater's The Mysteries. His work has been produced off-Broadway at New World Stages and The Elektra Theater; off-off-Broadway at The Tank and The Flea Theater; three blocks from Broadway at The Peoples Improv Theater, and much further from Broadway at the Alex Theater in Melbourne, Australia. He studied theatre at Tarleton State University. He is working on a novel about an Orc. www.mattcoxland.com