Director - Producer
Melissa Broy FortsonMelissa Broy Fortson is an actress and director who has helped bring HONK, GODSPELL, CHARLOTTE'S WEB, YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, and most recently, MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, THE MUSICAL to the stage. Seeing her vision come to fruition is a joy beyond measure. Though it was not really a choice, she is directing and acting in a show for the first time. While pulling double duty isn’t easy and not something she would recommend, this cast and crew made it possible and fun! She thanks each and every one of them for their support and enthusiasm. Melissa’s 45-year career in the theater includes time onstage, backstage, and directing. It is her passion and joy, and being a part of PUFFS enlarged that exponentially!
Sound Design and Crew
Alicia CelginAlicia loves music and all things sound, and is excited to be on the sound crew for her first show with ASoB. Her past roles include ensemble in LES MISERABLES, CHILDREN OF EDEN, and ensemble/back half of camel in JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT with the Bel Air Drama Company, as well as ancestor in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, and ensemble in BE MORE CHILL with Tidewater Teens. When not in shows, she loves listening to and writing music, drawing, writing, and reading. She’d like to thank her first family, and her found theater family, for pushing her to do what she wants to do with sound.
Sound Crew
Cynthia FordCynthia is very excited to finally get to attend a certain school of magic and magic. Thoroughly a Smart, she is a lifelong fan of a famous wizarding school, and this cast simply makes it a dream. PUFFS is a continuation of her love of theatre, which goes back to when she was studying neuroscience at Furman University. After taking an acting class, she landed a role as a chorus member in WOMEN OF TROY. Besotted by the theatre, she went on to take additional theatre classes, ultimately working as crew on many shows and serving as a costuming assistant her senior year. She also had technical roles with the Furman Pauper Players’ productions of RAGTIME and GUYS AND DOLLS. Cynthia thanks Melissa and Temple for including her in this wonderful world, Charles for being a constant voice of encouragement, and Laura for teaching her the theatre ways of the world.
Tech Crew
H. Ray LawsonH. Ray Lawson is pleased to return to Artistic Synergy of Baltimore where he directed OKLAHOMA, performed in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS and MIRACLE ON 34th STREET. He is an accomplished performer, stage manager, and director in Cecil, Harford, Baltimore counties and Baltimore City for the past 42 Years. He taught young people’s theater for a number of years. Ray serves on the Board of Directors for Cockpit in Court Summer Theater and Artistic Synergy of Baltimore. By day Ray is a Staff Accountant. Enjoy the show!!!!!!!
Tech Crew
Jennifer OteroJennifer is thrilled to be a part of the Baltimore premiere of PUFFS. She is excited to be sharing backstage space with her husband, Lou. Favorite rolls include, Sally in You’re a Good Man, CHARLIE BROWN (Sally), BYE BYE BIRDIE (Gloria Rasputin), and THE ODD COUPLE: FEMALE VERSION (Sylvie). As always this is for Mom, who also loved HP.
Stage Crew
Steven VanBlarganSteven always wanted to fly with dragons, so he's excited to be part of this amazing cast and crew in such a magical show. He knows you will love this performance just as much as he loves performing.
Lighting Crew
Mary Beth WittMary Beth is thrilled to join the crew of PUFFS, especially since that is also her house. She has run lights for several ASOB shows, including the last three cabarets. She hopes everyone enjoys the show as much as she does!
Sound Design and Crew
Mike ZellhoferMichael is the Executive Director for Third Wall Productions, prior to which he spent 8 years as the Asst. Dir. of MD Performing Arts Institute at Towson University. He performed with the San Marcos Theatre and the Vista Area Players in the San Diego, CA area, as well as with Baltimore Actors’ Theatre, Baltimore Playwright’s Association, Central Maryland Performing Arts Center, Charm City Players, Curtains Up Productions, Drama Learning Center, Just Off Broadway, and Red Branch Theatre. Mike was recognized by DC Metro Theater Arts as “Best Featured Actor in a Musical,” for THE WIZARD OF OZ (Cowardly Lion/CCP). He is a 3-time winner of “National University’s Leadership Scholarship” for work in community theatre. Michael also served as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a decorated combat veteran. Some of his favorite roles include MAN OF LA MANCHA (Don Quixote), JEKYLL & HYDE (Sir Danvers Carew), and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Firmin Richard).
Original Creative Team
Matt Cox
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 broke records Off-Broadway in New York, was screened in movie theaters across the country with Fathom Events, and it's 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 it's spinoffs: The Kapow-i GoGo Holiday Special & 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.
