BY MATT COX
Show Sponsor:
Welcome to the magical world of Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic!
I first want to express my sincere gratitude to our Teen Conservatory students for their dedication, enthusiasm, and creativity. Puffs is not just a play—it’s a fantastical adventure filled with laughter, friendship, and the power of believing in oneself. I have personally observed these qualities blossom in every one of our student actors over the last four months, shaping what I consider to be one of the most dedicated, collaborative, and authentically compassionate casts I’ve had the privilege to direct. Our actors’ commitment to bringing these familiar characters to life is truly inspiring. Each of our students brings something unique to the stage, and I am thrilled for them to finally show our audiences how they’ve inhabited the roles of these lovable and kind misfits.
BY MATT COX
Starring (in alphabetical order)
I want to extend my deepest appreciation to our production team for their dedication and hard work in bringing the wizarding world of Puffs to life on stage. A special acknowledgment goes to our scenic designer, Kristen Martino, whose talents have transported us seamlessly into this enchanting world. Their meticulous attention to detail and willingness to join me in my creative vision have truly transformed our theatre into a magical realm.
Thank you to our parents and caregivers for entrusting us with your children and for being our biggest cheerleaders. Your encouragement and involvement make all the difference in creating a positive and nurturing environment for our young performers.
The cohesive collaboration among our committed professional staff, designers, and enthusiastic students elevates the Gulfshore Playhouse Conservatory to the forefront as the leading preprofessional theatre program in Southwest Florida, nurturing talent, fostering creativity, and cultivating artistic excellence. Together, we have created something truly magical that will stay with our students long after the final curtain falls.
I am incredibly delighted to present Puffs. Enjoy the show!
Steven Calakos Director of Education
Jillian Cinnamon
Jia Cinnamon
Cload James Corliss-Rivero
Craparo
de Asla
River Inskip Lindsay Lancaster
Scarlett Meinert
Lucy Mullin
Savannah Paupore
Scarlett Paupore
Taylor Polly
Franco Romero
Arianna Joy Schipper
Caylee Valencia
CAST OF CHARACTERS
(in alphabetical order)
Leanne/Hermeoone#3/Ric Gryff ................................... Jillian Cinnamon
Colin/Hermeoone #2/Ginny/Frenchy/Ensemble Puff ........ Jia Cinnamon
A Very Tall Man/A Certain Potions Teacher
Professor Locky/Mr. Nick/Second Headmaster
Real Mr. Moody/Ensemble Puff ........................................ Jonathan Cload
Wayne Hopkins .......................................................... James Corliss-Rivero
J. Finch Fletchley/Zach Smith ..................................... Samantha Craparo
Ernie Mac/Seamus/Sal .................................................... Grayson de Asla
Sally Perks/Xavia Jones .......................................................... River Inskip
Hannah/Helga ................................................................ Lindsay Lancaster
Oliver Rivers ......................................................... Michael Martinez-Melara
Professor Turban/Ghost History Teach/Professor Lanny
Runes Teach/Ms. Babble/Ensemble Puff ........................... Scarlett Meinert
Susie Bones/Harry/Myrtle ....................................................... Lucy Mullin
First Headmaster/Professor McG
Professor Sproutty/Rowena/Ensemble Puff ................... Savannah Paupore
Hermeoone/Blondo Malfoy/Rita Scooter
Bippy/Ensemble Puff ....................................................... Scarlett Paupore
Uncle Dave/Goyle/A Fat Friar/Clumsy Longbottom
Viktor/Mr. Bagman/Ensemble Puff .......................................... Taylor Polly
Cedric/Mister Voldy ............................................................ Franco Romero
Megan Jones .............................................................. Arianna Joy Schipper
Narrator ............................................................................... Caylee Valencia
1 hour and 45 minutes SETTING A Certain Wizard School in the 90’s SHOW INFORMATION
RUN TIME
Puffs! Her past roles include The Little Mermaid Jr. (Ariel), Clue (Mrs. Peacock), Chicago: The High School Edition (Mary Sunshine), and Seussical: The Musical (Sour Kangaroo). She hopes you enjoy!!!
Jia Cinnamon (Colin/Hermeoone#2/Ginny/Frenchy/ Ensemble Puff) is very excited to be performing in Puffs!
This is her second show at Gulfshore Playhouse and her first show was in Disney’s The Little Mermaid as Andrina! She hopes you enjoy the show.
Jonathan Cload (A Very Tall Man/A Certain Potions Teacher/Professor Locky/Mr. Nick/Second Headmaster/Real Mr. Moody/Ensemble Puff)
Previous shows at Gulfshore Playhouse include the recent 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee and Chicago: High School Edition a few years back.
James Corliss-Rivero (Wayne Hopkins) is a Junior at Golden Gate High School and is excited to be playing Wayne Hopkins in Puffs. This is his first show working for Gulfshore Playhouse. Some of his previous roles include Mr.Green in Clue and Pulitzer in Newsies, and he’s excited to work on Seussical JR. over the summer.
Samantha Craparo (J. Finch Fletchley/Zach Smith)
This is Samantha’s 13th show with roles including Newsies (Les), The Lion King (Simba), The Little Mermaid Jr. (Flounder), Seussical JR. (Sour Kangaroo), Dear Edwina Jr. (Becky/ Mary Sue Betty Bob) and many more! Last summer she also attended the Kristen Chenoweth’s Broadway Bootcamp in Oklahoma where she got to work with some of the best in the business like Kristen Chenoweth, Kenny Ortega, Jordan Fisher and more. She’s so happy to be a part of this cast and hopes you enjoy the show!!
Grayson de Asla (Ernie Mac/Seamus/Sal) is very excited to participate in the production of Puffs! It is his third year with Gulfshore Playhouse and his first teen show! He was previously in Finding Nemo, Winnie the Pooh, Annie, and a Broadway Bootcamp.
River Inskip (Sally Perks/Xavia Jones) is thrilled to be a part of Puffs! She most recently played Grimsby in The Little Mermaid Jr. and is excited to return to the stage for this show. She is so grateful for all of her cast mates and hopes to work with everyone again in the future.
Lindsay Lancaster (Hannah/Helga) An avid member of the arts, she has enjoyed theatre for many years. Some of her favorite roles include ensemble for The Addams Family and 13: The Musical, along with performing as Ursula in The Little Mermaid. She is very excited to be acting with Gulfshore Playhouse!
Michael Martinez-Melara (Oliver Rivers) is excited to be making his Gulfshore Playhouse debut in Puffs!. He has previously performed in The Little Mermaid, Superhero, American Abbey, and Misfit Gym Rats. He hopes that you enjoy the next seven increasingly eventful years in 90-ish minutes.
Scarlett Meinert (Professor Turban/Ghost History
Teach/Professor Lanny/Runes Teach/Ms. Babble/ Ensemble Puff) is so excited to be in Puffs. This is her first production at Gulfshore Playhouse. She was most recently in Beauty and the Beast at The Naples Players and is playing Cinderella in her school’s upcoming performance!
nine years old. Her performances include Ebenezer Jr., Annie, Abridged Works of Shakespeare, Newsies, Beauty and the Beast. She loves theatre. It was a dream come true to see SIX on Broadway in NYC last summer with her Mom. She goes to St. Ann Catholic School and has a beautiful calico cat named Autumn. She hopes you enjoy the show as much as she loves being in it!
Savannah Paupore (First Headmaster/Professor McG/Professor Sproutty/Rowena/Ensemble Puff) is so excited to join us for her first Gulfshore Playhouse production. Savannah has been performing and singing since she was four-years-old. Some of her favorite productions have been Newsies, Descendants, Beauty and the Beast, and Sleepless in Seattle. Savannah has achieved Superior ratings representing her school in regional and state level thespian competitions. She also performed with the Honors Middle School Chorus at Carnegie Hall in 2023.
Scarlett Paupore (Hermeoone/Blondo Malfoy/Rita Scooter/Bippy/Ensemble Puff) is thrilled to be a part of Puffs! She has performed in many musicals and plays with Matilda and Descendants being two of her favorites. Scarlett has also earned Superior ratings representing her school at regional and state level thespian competition events.
Taylor Polly (Uncle Dave/Goyle/A Fat Friar/Clumsy Longbottom/Viktor/Mr. Bagman/Ensemble Puff) is very excited to be back for another Gulfshore Playhouse production! This is her 8th show with Gulfshore, after being featured in Annie (Pepper), Chicago (Ensemble), and The Little Mermaid (Flotsam/Ensemble), to name a few. So please, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
actor. Franco is more than grateful for simple joys in life. Give him a soccer ball and he is more than satisfied. Franco has been in a handful of plays and he hopes this is only the beginning.
Arianna Joy Schipper (Megan Jones) has been training in performing for over 12 years. This is her ninth show at Gulfshore Playhouse and she’s glad to be back. Her favorite credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive Ostrovsky, Gulfshore Playhouse); The Addams Family Musical (Wednesday Addams, Village School); Chicago: High School Edition (Mama Morton, Gulfshore Playhouse); The Lightning Thief (Clarisse La Rue, Center for Arts Bonita Springs); and most recently The Music Man (Teen Ensemble, Gulf Coast Symphony). She would like to thank the creative team for making this production truly magical and the cast for being so fun to be with. “Third or nothing!!!” www.ariannajoy.com
Caylee Valencia (Narrator) is thrilled to be performing in her third production with Gulfshore Playhouse! In the past, she has participated in numerous other plays, including Sister Act Jr., Junie B. Jones, Annie, Newsies, and Beauty and the Beast. She is overjoyed to be able to collaborate with this amazing collection of individuals. She hopes you appreciate the tremendously in-depth look into those seven years over the next five hours, and split into two parts! She would like to thank her family, friends, cast, and crew. Enjoy the show!!
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.
Steven Calakos (Director) is the Director of Education at Gulfshore Playhouse. Steven oversees and executes comprehensive, interdisciplinary arts education programs and has established unique, world-class partnerships with local and national organizations. Steven attended Rowan University and earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Elementary Education and Theatre: Child Drama. He is an award-winning teacher and theatre director having taught 4th grade, middle school math and STEM, and high school theatre arts in the Vineland Public Schools District in New Jersey for over 11 years. He served as artistic director for several school theatre organizations, and co-founded his own theatre production company in 2014 where his mission was to create quality, affordable educational opportunities in a socio-economically disadvantaged region. Steven is a recipient of the 2022 and 2023 Tony Award® Honorable Mention for Excellence in Theater Education, as well as Greek America Foundation Forty Under 40 Award and the Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 Award. He is a professional actor and singer with national credits, including being a member of Actors Equity Association, producing and performing in three solo concerts, and appearing in several television ads and feature films. www.stevencalakos.com
Meredith Singleton (Assistant Stage Manager) is a theatre artist and educator who has served at Gulfshore Playhouse since September 2021, where she started as an intern before being promoted to a full-time staff member. Before traveling to Southwest Florida, she attended Juniata College, located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where she studied Theatre and Elementary Education. There, she worked as a teacher and a stage manager, working on student productions as well as professional traveling productions. She has worked professionally as a classroom teacher, theatre artist, stage manager, and director, and has brought the arts to students across the country.
John Perine (Stage Manager) became a full-time Education Associate at Gulfshore Playhouse after earning his BFA and MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences from Samford University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, respectively. He has worked professionally as a teaching artist with The Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska, The Virginia Samford Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama, and Lexington Children’s Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky. Since relocating to Naples, John directed the regional premiere of Finding Nemo JR. for the Conservatory at Gulfshore Playhouse and Winnie the Pooh Kids in the inaugural partnership between Gulfshore Playhouse and the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. He is looking forward to directing Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. this summer! More about John’s work can be found at www.johnperine.com
Kristen Martino (Scenic Designer) is excited to be returning to Gulfshore Playhouse after previously designing several shows including Camelot, Morning After Grace, Higher, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Revolutionists, and The Price. Kristen has most recently been a freelance scenic designer based in Chicago, but is spending the 2023/2024 school year as the Assistant Professor of Scenic Design at University of South Florida in Tampa. Kristen’s work has been seen around the Chicago area at theatres including Drury Lane Theatre, The Goodman, Steppenwolf, and Porchlight Music Theatre. Kristen has spent the last several years assisting prominent designers in the Chicago area which has given her the opportunity to work on museum exhibits and theatrical productions internationally including the 2020 West End production of The Prince of Egypt. Kristen was also a part of the team selected to represent the United States by designing the USA’s Emerging Artist Exhibit for the 2019 Prague Quadrennial. Kristen is the recipient of the 2022 USITT Rising Star Award and a proud member of USA829. www.kristenmartino.com
Elizabeth Knudson (Lighting Designer) has been with Gulfshore Playhouse since Fall 2019. Her favorite design credits for Gulfshore Playhouse Education include The Little Mermaid JR., Frozen Jr., Grease, and The Addams Family. Other design credits include South Pacific and High School Musical 1&2 at Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park, Oklahoma! at Crane River, and The Nutcracker: A Kansas Ballet at the Lawrence Arts Center. She has also designed corporate and charity galas, debutante balls, and busked concerts. She graduated from Emporia State University with a BFA in Theatre. https://elizabethlkennell.wixsite.com/portfolio
Owen True (Sound Engineer) is excited for his first season at Gulfshore Playhouse. He graduated from Western Michigan University (WMU) with a degree in Theatre: Design and Technical Production with a focus in Sound, in 2021. Since then, he’s mixed and sound -designed shows in the midwest and southwest Florida area. Owen would like to thank his family and cat Pebble for all their support.
Jennifer Bronsted (Costume Designer) started at Gulfshore Playhouse in Fall 2012, where she has designed, built costumes and run wardrobe. Favorite credits at Gulfshore Playhouse include Boeing-Boing, The Butcher, The God Game, and All My Sons. Other design credits include Henry V and Henry VI part 1 with American Shakespeare Center, Oedipus Rex and The Importance of Being Earnest with Florida Gulf Coast University.
Coury to produce Broadway caliber theatre while focusing on cultivating a great staff and culture. In his time at Gulfshore Playhouse, Joel has helped grow and double the theatre’s budget, double the staff, has co-managed the design and construction of the new $72M Baker Theatre and Education Center, new production shops construction project, has been instrumental in joining LORT (most recently, being on the negotiating committee for LORT and Actors’ Equity Association), and navigated and guided the organization through the pandemic and Hurricane Ian. Joel’s thirty year career has taken him to some of our nation’s leading professional regional theatres. Previously, he spent seven years at The Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, America’s oldest professional theatre with an annual budget of over $16 Million. Joel has played integral roles in the production of hundreds of plays over ten seasons at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, four years at Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY, five summers at the Weston Playhouse in Vermont, American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin, and North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts. Joel is a graduate of Indiana University and originally from Miami, Florida.
Kristen Coury (CEO & Producing Artistic Director) founded the Playhouse in 2004, after moving to Naples from New York City. Under her leadership, the Playhouse has grown to a staff of 56, an annual budget of $8.15M with no debt, and is about to complete a $72M state-of-the-art Theatre and Education Center at the gateway to downtown Naples, which will be open to the public in late 2024. As part of this project, Coury ignited a public/ private partnership with the City of Naples, donating an acre of land upon which to build a public parking garage. While in New York, she worked on Broadway for Walt Disney Theatrical’s production of Beauty and the Beast, both nationally and internationally, and for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s company, The Really Useful Group, working on Sunset Boulevard and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Kristen made her feature film directorial debut with Friends and Family, a comedy starring Tony Lo Bianco, Anna Maria Alberghetti, and Tovah Feldshuh, which was released around the US and Europe. Kristen is also a frequent investor in Broadway productions, most recently The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise. Kristen has directed over 40 productions for the Playhouse, including a ten person, 2 piano My Fair Lady, the world premiere of The God Game by Suzanne Bradbeer and The Butcher by Gwydion Suilebhan. Most recently, she directed the final production in the Norris Center, the musical She Loves Me. Kristen was named one of the “Top 40 Professionals Under 40” by Gulfshore Life Magazine in 2008, a “Star in the Arts” by the United Arts Council of Collier County in 2011, and was named one of the Men and Women of the Year by Gulfshore Life in 2013. She served two terms on the board of Theatre Communications Group, the national advocacy group for professional theatres. She was named Top 100 Most Influential Business Leaders in Collier County in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Most recently, she was appointed to the Florida Council for Arts and Culture by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.
Broadway Bootcamp: Storybook Theatre
(Ages 5 - 7)
June 3 - 7, 2024
9AM - 12PM
Tuition: $300
Broadway Bootcamp: Into the Wild
(Ages 5 - 7)
June 24 - 28, 2024
9AM - 12PM Tuition: $300
PRODUCTION
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR.
Performances: Fri, June 21st |7PM Sat, June 22nd |2PM & 7PM Sun, June 23rd|3PM
Summer Conservatory: Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR.
(Ages 5 - 7) | June 10 - 21, 2024 Mon - Fri |1PM - 4PM | Tuition: $600
Students taking this class will get to perform live on stage in Willy Wonka JR.
Visit: Gulfshoreplayhouse.org
Contact: Steven Calakos scalakos@gulfshoreplayhouse.org to register and for more details about our upcoming programming.
Seussical JR.
(Ages 8 - 18)
July 1 - July 26, 2024
Mon - Fri | 9AM - 4PM
Tuition: $1200
Performances: July 26 - 28
Auditions for Seussical JR. will occur on the first day of camp and will consist of singing and reading selections from the show.
The students will learn from industry professionals and gain supplementary musical theatre training that goes beyond what they learn in the rehearsal room.
Summer Conservatory: Seussical JR.
(Ages 5 - 7) | July 15 - 26, 2024
Mon - Fri | 1PM - 4PM | Tuition: $600
Students taking this class will get to perform live on stage in Seussical JR.
Anything Goes: Youth Edition
(Ages 10 - 18) | Tuition: $750
Location: Classroom/Hertzog Hall
Auditions: Aug. 21 | 5PM - 8PM
Callback: Aug. 22 | 5PM - 8PM
Rehearsal Start:
Sept. 4 - Dec 11 |(Mon/Wed) |5PM - 8PM
Performances: Dec. 13th - 15th | 5PM - 8PM
Filled with unforgettable songs, tap dance sequences, and slap-stick comedy. Students will get the opportunity to perform on the Moran Mainstage on a professionally designed set.
Anything Goes Tap Class
(Ages: 10 - 18) | Aug. 14 - 15 | 6PM - 8PM Tuition: $75 | Location: Classroom
Whether new to tap or looking to refine skills, participants will delve into the infectious energy and exhilarating rhythms of tap dance.
Students who take this class will be guaranteed to be cast in our production.
Patty Baker
Kristen Coury
David Drobis
Tim Habbershon
Mitch Hertz
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steve Akin, Chairman of the Board Rich Struthers, Vice-Chair
Jenny Housh
Jason Hunter Korn
Pamela Krupka
Don McCulloch
Sandi Moran
Gerry Moss
Jack Nortman
Tony Panzica
Gail Kern Paster
Susan Regenstein
LEADERSHIP
Rick Rondinelli
Cynthia Scholl
Tennille Sevigny
Ashley Smith Pat Sweet
Kristen Coury, CEO & Producing Artistic Director
Joel Markus, COO & Managing Director
ARTISTIC & EDUCATION
CEO & Producing Artistic Director ........................... Kristen Coury
Director of Education ........................................... Steven Calakos
Literary Manager............................................ Audrey Zielenbach
Artistic Associate ......................................................... Dann Dunn
Executive Assistant .................................. Mackenzie Caraballo
Education Associates .................................... Meredith Singleton John Perine, Mary McGough
Education Assistant ......................................... Emilie Baartman
ADVANCEMENT
Chief Advancement Officer .......................................... Lisa Halsey
Advancement Officer: Events & Donor Engagement .... Sarah Owen
Advancement Officer .......................................... Brandon Horwin
Donor Stewardship & Events Coordinator .................. Dave Blount
Advancement Coordinator ............................ Ashleigh Jennings
MARKETING
Chief Marketing Officer..................................... Rachel Applegate
Marketing Manager ............................................. Heidi Overman
Graphic Designer ................................................ Ashley Martinez
Patron Services Manager ......................................... Luke Matlock
Patron Services Assistants ...................... Tim Coryell, Sara Ross
GULFSHORE PLAYHOUSE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
2640 Golden Gate Pkwy, Suite 211 Naples, Florida 34105 (239) 261-7529 | GulfshorePlayhouse.org
David Wilson
Don Gunther, Emeritus
Robert Harden, Emeritus
COO & Managing Director ......................................
of Finance ................................................ Alyson McCoy
Manager........................................................ Jim Dallas
Manager .............................................. Joe Salemme
Manager ................................................. Lucas Chang Broker
of Events/Food and Beverage
