Dreamcats! the Musical Cast

Justin Gordon, a Harlem based creator from Detroit, Michigan, is a graduate of The University of Michigan, the National Theater Institute and Harvard University. He is the author of a book of poetry titled 6 Mile Negus on the Honor Roll at Michigan and is the creator of an educational brand titled Mos Turnt Nerd. As an actor, Selected Credits include: Play Here (The Wild Project), Immense Joy (The Tank), Macbeth (Goddard-Riverside), The Last Martyr (Imagination Stage), Ichabod (Bethany Arts Center), Mail Lady 2 (Film), Urban Warfare (Film), and Nail Shop (Film). He is also the writer and producer of a short film series titled The Finesse Files.

“Part celestial creature, part sophisticated human” is how Charlotte Lily Gaspard has been described by Faerie Magazine when contemplating the ethereal artist and her work in one of their features. Shadow puppet artist, educator and entertainer, Charlotte’s mission is to activate imaginations and celebrate playfulness wherever she goes.

Maria Camia (she/her), a Brooklyn-based, Filipino-American Spiritual/Sci-Fi Introspective Hypnosis Visual/Theater Artist, has dedicated 13 ongoing years to creating Aricama, the land of practice play and healing in pursuit to make imagination useful in a traumatized society. She has performed original work for JACK, HEREarts, La MaMa Experimental Club, Kino Saito, Chicago International Puppet Festival, Dixon Place, and others. Maria received the PGOGNY BIPOC Scholarship, The Jim Henson Workshop and Production Grants for her full length shows NEW MONY! and The Healing Shipment. Maria is also an Introspective Hypnosis Practitioner where she guides clients one-on-one through the subconscious to bring more empowerment into the body. www.maricama.com

Tau Bennett is a puppeteer, writer, director, and teaching artist from Brooklyn, New York. He began building his own puppets at the age of ten and appeared in the documentary, Being Elmo: a Puppeteer’s Journey (2011). He began working as a professional puppeteer in 2015. Some of his credits include Sesame Street (HBO), Donkey Hodie (PBS), and Helpsters (Apple TV). He has appeared on stage in Jessica Simon’s production of Ruby and Charlie at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center (2018), Spencer Lott’s 9000 Paper Balloons at HERE Arts (2019), and Concrete Temple’s production of Ernie’s Secret Life (2024). In collaboration with Concrete Temple, Tau has been given the opportunity to write the script for The Spirit of the Sea, directed by Fatima Sambo Shoenfelder (2024) as well as perform in a presentation of it as a work in progress at Dixon Place. Tau currently works at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater in Central Park, and has been a teaching artist and performer with Puppetry in Practice since 2022. Tau continues to develop his own projects – most notably, the surreal sketch comedy show, Cold Sober. The independently-produced pilot was given airplay on the Brooklyn public access station BRIC TV in the autumn of 2023, and can now be viewed on YouTube, where much of his independent work resides. He occasionally performs live with Cold Sober at various venues around the city.

Lana Tleimat is a puppeteer, fabricator and writer based in Brooklyn. She is inspired by her mixed racial/cultural heritage, animal anatomy and a sense of empathy for small objects.

Laurynn Starkey is a New York–based actor and puppeteer who transforms imagination into motion. With a passion for ensemble-driven storytelling, she moves, puppets, and above all, performs with heart and vigor. Laurynn is thrilled to bring magic to life in Dreamcats, sharing a story that will captivate audiences of all ages. Discover more of her world at laurynnstarkey.com.