Brandon Zelman
Director, Co-Creator, Book/Lyrics/Music, Projection Design, Set Design, Costume Design, Producer, "Bulletshell Prime"
... and way too many other things!
Brandon Zelman is a writer, lyricist, director, improviser, and podcaster. He is the co-creator and director of BALLS: The Monster-Catchin' Musical Comédy. Brandon hosts the Ambie Award Winning Cat in the Hat Podcast and the Who's That Pokémon Podcast. He is a performer with the UCB Theatre in New York, and a company member with The Story Pirates, Child's Play NY, Business Lunch Productions, Improvised Gilmore Girls, Xtremely Serious Wrestling and Less Than Rent Theatre. TYA works include Sci-Fi Fair, It’s a Meteor, AHHH!, and The Epic Quest of Guard 2 and Guard 1. BrandonZelman.com @thebrandonzelman
Harrison Bryan
Co-Creator, Book/Lyrics/Music, Producer...and way too many other things! "Warlordturtle" (and a shit-ton more Collectabuddies!)
Harrison Bryan is an award-winning actor, playwright, puppeteer, and producer who literally has not slept for several days. Melting away in hot glue, velcro, and gratitude -- thanks to the support of everyone who turned this unhinged proof-of-concept into a beauitful FEVER DREAM. So much frickin love to Katie for letting this chaos overflow their home. Plus, Brandon's brilliant mind. This show is a reminder to love your inner ten-year-old, a reminder that growing up doesn't mean giving up, a reminder that it's never too late to adventure. This is only the beginning. HarrisonBryan.com / @hahaharrisonbryan / #savetheturtles
Stuart Zagnit
"The Professor"
Broadway: HARMONY, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, NEWSIES, SEUSSICAL, THE WILD PARTY, THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, GRINCH. Off-B’way: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, ALL IN THE TIMING, LUCKY STIFF, KUNI-LEML, THE GRAND TOUR. Nat’l tours: WICKED (The Wizard), GRINCH, CRAZY FOR YOU, INTO THE WOODS, TINTYPES, APPLAUSE. Regional: FIDDLER (Tevye),THE PRODUCERS (Max), SOUND OF MUSIC; TV: The Marvelous Mrs.Maisel, The Blacklist, The Good Wife, Instinct, Elementary, Blue Bloods, 30 ROCK, 5 Law & Order’s. Film: According to Greta, Jingle Hell. AND…Stuart is the original voice of Pokémon’s Professor Oak!
Teresa Attridge
"The Rival"
Teresa Attridge* is a multi-hyphenate based out of Brooklyn. NY: Silke (The Moss Maidens) Mae (The Pajama Game), Joan (Void). Regional: Medium Alison (Fun Home), Christmas Eve (Avenue Q) Yitzhak (Hedwig and the Angry Inch). She also co-hosts “Backstage Pass,” a podcast with NYTB. Emmanuel + Minerva, I choose you!
Katie Luke
"Spittle"
(and a shit-ton more Collectabuddies!)
OFF-BROADWAY: Amelie/Amelie (Theatre Row) TOURS/CRUISES: Velma Von Tussle (Hairspray) Nicola (Kinky Boots) Disney Cruise Lines: Elsa; REGIONAL: Julia Trojan (Bandstand), Texas (Cabaret) Katherine Plumber (Newsies, Salt Award Winner), Lois Lane/Bianca (Kiss Me Kate); Janet Van De Graff (The Drowsy Chaperone). BFA The Hartt School. Lots of love to her Turtle Squad, fellow Box 13 Gang, and the entire tech and creative team. Thank you to her incredible husband Harrison and his best friend and partner in turtle crime, Brandon, for workings tirelessly to create a wonderful world for us to be free and silly and joyous in. SPIT SPIT!
Ebony Deloney
"Bulletshell Prime"
(and a shit-ton more Collectabuddies!)
Holy Spit, Ebony is ready to play the game! AMDA NYC Alum. International: Disney Cruise Line. Regional: Beautiful, the Carole King Musical (Little Eva/Shirelles) Saturday Night Fever (Candy) Newsies (Medda Larkin), Hairspray (Cindy WATKINS/ Dynamite). Love to her family, friends. Maxen, this one’s for you! Phil 4:13 ig: @blacktress
Kurt Cruz
"Pocket Pedia"
(and a shit-ton more Collectabuddies!)
Kurt Cruz is a comedian, musician, and Technical Director. He is the Technical Director at Second City NYC. When he’s not behind the tech booth, you can find him performing improv and music throughout NYC. Check out his solo indie music project, Kuko, on all streaming platforms. Instagram - @4kuko
Rachel Parker
"Pocket Pedia" Swing
(and a shit-ton more Collectabuddies!)
Rachel Parker(She/They) has never once played with balls but is thrilled to be joining the BALLS universe! They have recently been seen in Book of Mormon (North American Tour) and Ragtime (Bay Street Theater). BFA, Point Park University. @rachel.s.parker
Christie Jackson
"Spittle" Swing
(and a shit-ton more Collectabuddies!)
Christie Jackson is an award winning actor, singer, and long time collector of Balls. HUGE thanks to Harrison, Brandon and Katie for the opportunity to paint boxes and sing songs. International: Kinky Boots & Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Norwegian Cruise Line). Regional: The Last Five Years (Cathy), Violet (Violet), Gypsy (Louise), Heathers (Heather Chandler), The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet). Follow @jacksonstarr for more!
Book & Lyrics by
Brandon Zelman and Harrison Bryan
Music by
Lena Gabrielle
Orchestrator & Arranger & Music Supervisor & Music Director & Composer, Producer
Lena Gabrielle is a music director, arranger/orchestrator, composer/lyricist, educator, and performer specializing in new theatre development. A former Wizard Rocker whose theatrical roots trace back to the height of the Harry Potter fandom, Lena is thrilled to revisit both DIY theatre and nerd culture with “Balls”. Endless love and gratitude to Harrison, Brandon, and Leo and Max (Harrison’s cats). "Live your life abnormally". lenagabriellemusic.com
Pippa Cleary
Composer
Pippa is the first female British composer & lyricist to have had three musicals produced in the West End, The Great British Bake Off Musical, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ The Musical and My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?). She wrote the first original opening number for the 2023 Olivier Awards, performed by Hannah Waddingham. Insta- @pippa.cleary
Joriah Kwamé
Composer
Joriah Kwamé, a 2024 Jonathan Larson Grant Recipient, is most known for writing the viral song "Little Miss Perfect." Upcoming: Dreamworks (TROLLS JR.) Olney Theater (LITTLE MISS PERFECT: THE MUSICAL). 2020 Johnny Mercer Songwriting Project. 2022-23 Dramatist Guild Foundation Musical Theatre Fellow. ASCAP Cole Porter Award, Harold Adamson Lyric Award.
Aaron Kenny
Composer
Aaron Kenny is an award-winning Australian immigrant composer for the screen, stage and concert hall. Stage Musicals: BALLS, A HANUKKAH CAROL, and ON YOUR MARK! (now available through Theatre Now NY anthology publication). Aaron is also the Music Assistant to theatre and film legend Alan Menken. www.aaron-kenny.com
Grace Yurchuk
Composer
Grace Yurchuk ia a lifelong musician and theatre buff! Her mission is to inspire other girls to discover the music producer pathway, which can be just as meaningful as other "more glamorous" musical pursuits. For more follow: @graceyurchuk
Additional Music by
Allan Nalven
Additional Music / Producer
This button-masher turned self-taught beat-blaster started experimenting with LSDJ in 2014 after realizing Game Boys did more than ruin thumbs. Fueled by Anamanaguchi, nostalgia, and deep forum dives, Allan’s rocked stages with live, 8-bit jams as NALNEX—and now debuts in his first musical, Balls, at Caveat NYC!
Matthew Ryan Hunter
Additional Music
@funky_nec
Meghan Doyle
“Gotta Make a Change” Guitarist
Creative/Production
Mayah Lourdes Burke
Production Stage Manager
Mayah Lourdes Burke (she/her) is a Queer Carribean-American Stage Manager and Director from NYC. Recently: $#!thole Country Clapback by Pascale Armand (Billie Holiday Theatre); 1898 by Nelson Diaz-Marcano (Atlantic Theater Company), & PRISM Fest (The Makers Ensemble). Mayah was a PA on the National Tour of Come From Away. @mayahlourdes
Starr Wimber
Development ASM
I graduated from St. John’s University with a BA in psychology in 2022. Post grad I have been working as a production assistant and stage manager for a handful of musicals, dance productions and short films. Some production credits include: Pippin, Chicago, Mean Girls, and now BALLS! I have never been more excited to work on a project and I can’t wait for everyone to see and love it!
Sasha Lysenko
Lighting Design
Dan Hughes
Sound Associate
Kelly Autry
Lead Puppetry Associate / Puppet Designer / Puppet Builder / Producer
Kelly Autry (Lead Puppetry Associate) is excited to bring these Collect-A-Buddies to life! He’s been working with puppets since 2017 and has been a fan of collectible monsters since… well before that! He’d like to thank his friends, his parents, and Macy for their constant love and support. Baldwin Wallace BM. KellyAutry.com. IG: @kelly_a_autry.
Brendan Malafronte
“Warlordturtle” puppet built by Brendan Malafronte ("Malafronte Monster Shop")
@malafrontemonstershop
Cat Greenfield
Puppet Builder / Puppet Designer
Cat is an actor, puppeteer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in NYC. She will put googly eyes on literally anything. Find her @catgreenfield on basically all socials and Spotify. Reach out for puppetry lessons, builds, and direction. She's an ice type, and doesn't understand why the colors don't match the typing anymore, it's very confusing. Many thanks to Harrison for the call, and xo to NYD.
Genna Beth Davidson
Puppet Builder / Puppet Designer
Genna Beth is a puppeteer and puppet builder in Richmond, VA. She crossed paths with Harrison Bryan last year designing and building puppets for "A Hanukkah Carol" at Round House Theatre in Bethesda, MD. She is so happy that she could offer a little help with BALLS. You can find more of her puppetry work at www.gennabeth.com.
Frankie Novick
"Collectabuddy" Artwork & Illustrations / Associate Artist
(they/them) Digital Illustrator and cartoonisht from the Bay Area, with an affinit for all things silly. Instagram: @Frankiefurters_
Cody LeRoy Wilson
Combat Consultant / Production Associate / Producer
Cody LeRoy Wilson (he/him) is an actor/playwright based in NYC; originally from West Virginia, he has been performing across America for the past 12 years on the stage as well as TV/Film. This summer he debut’s his biopic One-Man Show "Did My Grandfather Kill My Grandfather?" at CATF. Instagram: @codyleroywilson
Michael Chin
Digital Developer
Joe Trentacosta
Public Relations / Press / Marketing
Mick Szal
Social Media / Marketing / Editor
Brielle "The Rock" DeMirjian
Graphic Design
Marissa Councill
Second Assistant Stage Manager
Emily Tabachuk
Patch Maker
Hayley St. James
Production Assistant / Producer
Hayley is ecstatic and grateful to be on Team BALLS! A lifelong Pokémon fan, Hayley is a playwright (The Affair Plays, published by Next Stage Press,) theatre artist, aspiring fan engagement coordinator, and music lover. They can usually be found front row at a Coldplay concert or doing U2 themed drag at cover band gigs. GO TEAM BALLS!
Jason Brubaker
Production Assistant
Jason has done a show before… He’s worked for The Irish Repertory Theatre for over 15 years. He has also worked for The York Theatre, Second Stage, and New York City Dance alliance. He is the Artistic Director of The Playthings Theatre an LGBTQ+ Theatre company spotlighting the communities writers. Playthingstheatre.org
Rory Lance
Professor's Papa
Nathaniel Fleshler
Young Professor
PJ Adzima
Producing Consultant
Carly Glenn
Producer / Marketing / Social Media / Production Assistant
Brian Peterson
Light Board Operator
Ben Kraim
Executive Producer
Ben Kraim (Executive Producer) is a Brooklyn-born writer, performer, and creative entrepreneur. He helped bring BALLS to life to fuse his love of musicals, Pokémon, and controlled chaos. Founder of Tokin’ Jew, WeedFeed and Dumpling House Media, Ben builds culture-forward, niche brands that blend humor, heart, and a strong point of view.
Livingtoon Productions
Producer
Near and dear to our hearts, "LIVINGTOON PRODUCTIONS" is committed to building community, creating empathy, sharing laughter alongside the power of the imagination — inspired by our dear friend Michael’s legacy. He so boldly practiced so many creative skills effortlessly. This production company proudly supports the artists who dared to dream big to bring their imaginations so boldly and theatrically to life.
Additional Producers
Alison Rosen & David Hantman
Windridge Farm
Fish of Living
Millennium Steel & Rack Rental (Additional Storage)
Gail Nalven & David Fuchs (Seamstress / Transportation)
Sean Peterson & Madeleine Heil
Helen Rock
Mischa
Tim & Jackie DeMirjian
Terry & Susan Autry
Jan Weinstein
Maxwell Haddad
Marvin Tan
Sean Muckle
Ira Mont
Jack Grosbard
Background & Additional Vocalists
Lena Gabrielle, Colin Ring, Sadie Spivey, Adam White, Joriah Kwamé, and Brandon Zelman
Special Thanks
Kurt Cruz
Forager Theatre Company (Associate Producer)
Stuart Zagnit
Cliff Weinstein
Kurt Weinstein
Karen Esposito
FOLKMANIS PUPPETS
Weed Feed
Playthings Theatre Company
Arin Sang-urai (Photography)
Nic Guastella (Photography)
Caveat NYC (Producer)
Ben Lillie (Artistic Director Caveat NYC)
Lilly Brown
Anne Huston
Linnie Ratliff
Christian Hurtado & Lisa Ortiz
Kit Krull
Whitney Meltz
Emmanuel Linden-Broner
Josh Nasser
Adam Sherwin
Jennie Hughes
Blair Russell
Nintendo Life
Tenshi & Zilla
NY MARINE ANIMAL RESCUE
SEA TURTLE RECOVERY
The Milking Cat & Esme Demers
Cameron King
Hera Ford
SONGS
All MUSIC Arranged and Orchestrated by Lena Gabrielle
All LYRICS by Brandon Zelman & Harrison Bryan
"NEW GAME" (OPENING)
Music by Joriah Kwamé
Additional Orchestrations by Joriah Kwamé
"PIECE OF SHIT"
Music by Joriah Kwamé
Orchestrations by Joriah Kwamé and Lena Gabrielle
"OPEN THE DOOR"
Music by Joriah Kwamé and Lena Gabrielle
Additional Orchestrations by Joriah Kwamé
"RAGE OF A CHILD"
Music and Orchestration by Allan Nalvan
"NOT NORMAL"
Music by Lena Gabrielle
"HOW CAN I HELP YOU?"
Music by Grace Yurchuk
"ARE WE DEAD?"
Music by Pippa Cleary
"WHAT THE WORLD SHOULD BE"
Music by Aaron Kenny
Additional Orchestrations by Aaron Kenny
"GOTTA MAKE A CHANGE"
Music by Brandon Zelman & Harrison Bryan
"BA(ahh)LL"
Music by Lena Gabrielle
"FIGHT YOUR OWN FIGHT"
Music by Joriah Kwamé
"NEW GAME" (FINALE)
Music by Everybody
"THE COLLECTABUDDY RAP"
Music and Orchestration by Matthew Ryan Hunter
Additional Orchestrations by Lena Gabrielle