Puffs - NMU Theatre and Dance

Logan Newcomb (Wayne Hopkins) is a freshman pursuing a BFA in Acting with a minor in Music. You may have seen him as the mime in Spamalot or as the fiddler in this year’s production of A Christmas Carol (Strike up!). He is beyond excited to make his Blackbox debut with Puffs! Logan would like to thank the cast and crew for a wonderful experience that had him rolling on the floor laughing many times. His instagram is Logan.newcomb. Lumos!

Corban Belle (Wayne Hopkins) is in his first year here at Northern Michigan, and he is excited to have Puffs as his second play here. Other performances he has been in here at Northern include the Wildcat Theater Folies and Clybourne Park, where he was the understudy for Kevin/Albert. He hopes you enjoy the show.

Madalyn Hasyn (Megan Jones) is a second year Musical Theatre major at NMU. Her most recent credits include Wendy Fezziwig (2023) in A Christmas Carol and Rizzo in Grease (2023). Madalyn is super stoked to be a part of this hilarious production and to be able to have the opportunity to perform with this incredibly talented cast and crew!

John Fuller (Narrator) is a senior at NMU and Puffs is his 5th show here at Northern. John moved to MI in May of 2022 and started attending Northern Michigan University in the fall of the same year. John is so excited to be a part of such a hilarious and fun show!

Quinn Skelly (Ernie Mac) is a 3rd year Musical Theatre major who is very excited to put out an amazing show for all Harry Potter fans to enjoy. Quinn has been in previous productions such as Clybourne Park(Russ/Dan), Jersey Boys(Joey Peschi), Producers(Carmen Ghia), and Kansas in Marquette(Bi-curious Werewolf). Quinn also represents the entire musical theatre department being one of two student advisors. So sit back, and enjoy a hilarious and memorable night. Third or nothing!

Maisie James (Hannah) is so excited to be playing Hannah and Others in NMU's production of Puffs! She is a junior at NMU pursuing a BFA in Acting with a minor in English. Some of her recent roles include Frenchy in Grease, Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, and being a Swing for Clybourne Park. She is totally geeked out to be performing in a show about a series so close to her heart with people who make her ribs hurt from laughing every day. This experience has been totally awesome.

Asa Naigus (J. Finch Fletchley) is very excited to be a part of this incredible production! Recent credits include Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio) with Lake Superior Theater 2023 Season, Rock of Ages (Franz) with North Coast Theatre and Dance Festival, Spamalot (Ensemble, U.S. Galahad), Grease (Sonny), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear). Asa hopes you all enjoy Puffs more than anything you've ever seen in your entire life. Asa hopes it becomes the most prominent conversation topic in all of your homes. Asa also hopes you have a good day every single day. NMU THEATRE AND DANCE FOREVER!!!!!!

Rhiannyn McCauley (Leanne) is a junior Theatre and Entertainment Arts major with a concentration in performance. She recently made her directorial debut with Found Space Theatre Company's "The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler, and also works in the Bristol Renaissance Faire in the summers. In her free time, she has been learning to spin her own yarn out of alpaca wool and playing the tin whistle (not at the same time).

Amilee Alvarado (Sally Perks) is a junior Theatre and Entertainment Arts major with a concentration in performance. She recently made her directorial debut with Found Space Theatre Company's "The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler, and also works in the Bristol Renaissance Faire in the summers. In her free time, she has been learning to spin her own yarn out of alpaca wool and playing the tin whistle (not at the same time).

Lia Hielkema (Susie Bones) is a musical theatre and political science double major with a concentration in pre-law. She is a junior this year and this is her second year at NMU. Previous notable roles include "Lady of the Lake" Spamalot, “Regina” Rock of Ages, “Radio Voice” Grease, “Marcy Parks” The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, “Poppy” The Brink of Womanhood: an Original Musical, and “Aunt March” Little Women. Lia hopes you laugh your butts off and enjoy the magic of Puffs! #thirdornothing

Copeland Diver (Cedric) is a transfer Sophomore BFA Acting student from Traverse City, Michigan. He is so excited to be apart of Puffs! He was previously apart of Clybourne Park. He would like to thank his family for their support!

Isabella Fontaine (Standby - Hannah, Leanne, Susie Bones, Sally Perks) is filled with gratitude to work on this amazing show with such talented and loving individuals. The work of everyone on and off the stage inspires her to continue her own work. Recently Isabella performed as Bev/Kathy in Clybourne Park here at NMU, but has also performed in productions back in her hometown of Minnesota, including 'Liz' in Chicago, 'Marmee' in Little Women, and Sandy Cheeks in SpongeBob. She hopes you enjoy this funny show in the wizarding world of magic and magic.

Mandy Granz (Standby - Susie Bones, Sally Perks, Megan Jones) is a freshman in NMU’s Musical Theatre program. She is very excited to be a part of “Puffs”, her favorite play! Some of her previous shows include A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Dilber/Mrs. Fezziwig), Mean Girls (Gretchen Wieners), The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy Gale), and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy Van Pelt). Mandy would like to thank the cast and crew of Puffs for all of their dedication to making this hilarious and heartfelt show come to life. Mandy also sends her appreciation to her loved ones back home for encouraging her theatrical endeavors.

Mitch Kransi (Standby - Narrator, Wayne Hopkins, Oliver Rivers) is excited to be making his NMU performance debut! He is pursuing a mathematics major with a minor in theatre and entertainment arts. Mitch spent his first 18 years in Jacksonville, Florida, where he most recently played Gomez in The Addams Family. He’s extremely happy to call NMU his new home, and can’t wait to share his passion for the stage with everyone!

Ambrose Meteyer (Standby - Oliver Rivers, Narrator, Cedric) is a freshman in the BFA Theatre Technology and Design program and is thrilled to be making his acting debut at NMU. Recent credits at NMU include Asst. Lighting Designer (CO/LAB Dance Co.), Stage Manager (Clybourne Park), and Stage Manager (Spamalot). This is Ambrose's second production of Puffs; he was also on the lighting crew for the show at Okemos High School in 2021. Working on this show will without a doubt be one of his best memories of 2024, and he hopes that experiencing this exhilarating and hilarious show makes you feel the same. IG: ambrosem_

Wyatt Schmitt (Standby - Wayne Hopkins, Ernie Mac, J. Finch Fletchley) is a junior BFA Acting major and a Dance minor at NMU. He has been apart of a few productions at NMU including Above The Timberline, The Producers, Grease, and Monty Python’s Spamalot! Wyatt is thrilled to be apart of this show and he wants to thank you all for coming!

Cayden Smaka (Standby - Cedric, J. Finch Fletchley, Wayne Hopkins, Ernie Mac) is cooler than a frozen butter beer and so excited to be part of Puffs! Cayden is a freshman BFA Acting major. His past NMU credits are Clybourne Park and the Holiday Soirée. His favorite Harry Potter book is the Prisoner of Azkaban. He made his own wand when he was young until he lost it somewhere outside. Cayden would like to thank his amazing family and his puff’s family for all their support! Aviafors!

Clara Usealman (Standby - Megan Jones, Hannah, Leanne) is a freshman musical theatre major excited to be in her second show here at NMU! Previously at NMU, she performed in A Christmas Carol as Beggar Woman/Fred’s Wife. Before colllege, she performed in Bye Bye Birdie as Kim Macafee and The Addams Family as Alice Beineke, as well as performing in other various small plays. She spends her free time writing about herself in third person. IG: @_clarau_

* Indicates work done in partial fulfillment of the senior capstone.

† Indicates membership in Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honors Society.

† Indicates membership in Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honors Society.

James "Jimmy" Ludwig (Director) is overjoyed to be 'staging for the underdogs' in Puffs! James Ludwig has been a professional actor for over 30 years. His Broadway credits include Little Shop of Horrors and the original cast of Spamalot; Off Broadway includes Blue Man Group ‘Tubes’, De La Guarda, Two Point Oh, and the original ‘john’ in john & jen among many others. Around the country, James has played dozens of leading roles from Professor Higgins to Hamlet. He also owns Back40 Films, and has produced hundreds of films, among them the wildly popular series “The Happy Hour Guys”. James has taught all over; MT Lisbon, the University of Washington, the University of Michigan, Franklin & Marshall College, AMDA, Boise State and more. He currently is Head of the very fancy BFA Acting program here at Northern. Join us! Best gigs ever: Hubby to Kristen Beth, and Dad to #JustJake. @JimmyLudwigNYC

Allyson Macias (Production Stage Manager) is excited to be the production stage manager for Puffs. Allyson is a freshmen at NMU currently working towards her BFA in Theatre Technology and Design. In the past she has stage managed the shows Once Upon a Mattress, Trap, and The Addams Family at Big Rapids High School. She is excited to share Puffs with everyone and hopes you enjoy the show.

Gianna Bratke (Costume, Hair, & Makeup Designer) is excited to be the costume, hair and makeup designer for this production of Puffs. This is their final undergrad design here at NMU as she is graduating this spring with a BFA in Theatre Tech and Design. Some of their other recent designs include the Lion headdresses from Co/Lab’s Carnival of the Animals, hair and makeup design for Spamalot, makeup for Salome and more. She knows you’ll just adore this show because badgers, badgers are great!

Keely-Shaye Hanson (Lighting Designer) is in their final semester here at NMU. They've recently worked on the technical side of Grease (2023), Salomé, (2023) and Elf (2021), as well as she works in the Marketing and Box Office for the Theatre and Dance Department. She hopes you have a magical experience and enjoy all the hard work that's been put into Puffs. Team Snakes!

Sam Wardisiani (Properties Designer) is a senior BFA Theatre Technology and Design student with a concentration in Props. Some of her recent credits are Spamalot and Salome. When Sam is not working on Props, you can find her as a Scenic Carpenter for the Theatre Department. Sam is very thankful to have the support from her friends, professors, and family!

Laura Hinz (Scenic Designer) This is Laura's sixth show at NMU but first time as a Scenic Designer. Most recently she was Properties Designer for A Christmas Carol and Scenic Charge/Co-Designer for Spamalot, Rock of Ages, and Grease. As a life-long Hufflepuff this show has been a dream come true. She would like to thank her parents for their continuing support and fostering her love of magic and imagination.

Braeden Ingersoll (Technical Director), originally from Des Moines, Iowa, received his MFA in Technical Production from Florida State University where he focused on Technical Direction, Production Management, and teaching. Additional professional credits include Technical Director with Des Moines Metro Opera and Theatre Aspen, and Assistant Technical Director with Creede Repertory Theatre. His work in the Entertainment industry has been driven by his fondness for storytelling and accomplishing technical feats onstage. Clybourne Park marked Braeden’s return to scenic design after a short hiatus. Other design credits include The Bald Soprano & These Shining Lives.

Rachel Martin (Head Electrician) is so excited to be a part of another NMU theatre production. She is a sophomore studying Theatre Technology and Design. Some of her recent shows she has been a part of include A Holiday Double Feature: A Charlie Brown Christmas and Excerpts from the Nutcracker, Grease, Rock of Ages, Spamalot, and A Christmas Carol. She is so excited to be a part of this amazing show and can’t wait for everyone to see it!

Carley Bishop (Soundboard Operator) is a third year majoring in Theatre Technology and Design with a minor in Math. She has previously been a Stage Manager for Spamalot and A2 for Grease. She is excited to be back behind the sound board for Puffs though and hopes everyone enjoys the show.

Emma Carr (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be a stage manager for Puffs. She is currently a sophomore in the Theatre Technology and Design BFA program. Emma was most recently involved in NMU’s production of A Christmas Carol as a stage hand and assistant scenic designer. When not working on Puffs, you can find Emma going for hikes or doing a craft. She is very excited for people to see Puffs!

Molly Sobiechowski (Stage Manager) is absolutely thrilled to be a stage manager for Puffs! She is currently in her first year at NMU working towards her BFA in Theatre Technology and Design. In the past she also served as the assistant lighting designer of "Men on Boats" and "The Play That Goes Wrong" at the Croswell Theatre in Adrian, Michigan. She also has stage managed "She Kills Monsters" and "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" amongst other shows at Chelsea High School. She would like to thank all of her family, friends, professors, cast, and crew for all of their support. Go cats!

Ayla Berman (Properties Assistants) is excited to be working as a properties assistant on Puffs. She is a freshman majoring in Theatre Technology and Design. She has previously been on the puppet construction crew for CO/LAB’s Carnival of the Animals here at NMU. She would like to thank her family for encouraging her and hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Hannah Leach (Properties Assistants/Stagehand) is excited to be working with props for Puffs! She is a senior double majoring in Biology and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. In the past she has worked as a stage manager for A Christmas Carol and as stage crew for Grease and Spamalot. She hopes everyone enjoys the show!

† Indicates membership in Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honor Society.