Collateral Beauty

Department of Theatre and Dance 

Daniel Gurskis, Dean, College of the Arts

Kathleen Kelley, Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance 

Artistic and Cast Biographies 

TRW Production is full-service theatrical production company that partners with household names and emerging artists alike. Guided by our belief that storytelling is the most powerful way to put new ideas into the world, we foster new musicals, plays, and theatrical experiences from page one to stages worldwide. Emily Sasfai (Allison/Ensemble) This is Emily’s fifth and final production at Montclair State, so it’s only fitting she’s sticking to tradition: playing a daughter. Emily is beyond grateful to finish out her career at MSU with such a dedicated and inspired cast and creative team. Thank you to everyone for such an action packed four years of theatre

Ahmad Simmons (Director/Choreographer) Ahmad Simmons is a NYC based director, choreographer, producer and performing artist. Select work includes Maia Novi’s Invasive Species (Producer), Gus Reed’s short film Ringing Rocks (Executive Producer), Jay Armstrong Johnson’s I Put A Spell on You (three Telly Awards as Director and Producer) and Annie Hamilton’s Looking For Papa (Producer). Other favorite creative work includes conceiving, co-writing, directing and choreographing the world premiere of Boo’s Halloween House Party for the Pittsburgh Playhouse, co-directing episodes of the podcast series Live from Mount Olympus, and serving as an associate director and choreographer on projects with Rachel Chavkin and Andy Blankenbuehler. He has appeared on stage and screen in Fosse/Verdon (FX Networks), Maestro (Netflix), Better Nate Than Ever (Disney+), Dirty Dancing (ABC), the Tony Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, Stephen Colbert, The View, The Today Show, and the Broadway companies of Illinoise (OBC), Hadestown (OBC), West Side Story, Carousel, Cats, Only Gold (Off-Broadway) and A Chorus Line (New York City Center). Ahmad is a founding member of Black Broadway Men Inc. and the co-founder of Arterial Projects - a NYC based producing practice for theater, film, and digital media.

Bruce De La Cruz (Music Director) Bruce De La Cruz is a pianist, music director, arranger, orchestrator, and copyist in the NY/NJ area. Bruce was most recently a rehearsal pianist and an Organ sub for the Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd. He was also a Keys 2 sub for MJ: The Musical and also a rehearsal pianist for Waitress and Ain’t Too Proud on Broadway. Bruce is currently a staff accompanist for Montclair State University and NYU. He is a proud member of AFM Local 802

Alexa Racioppi (Associate Director & Choreographer) Alexa Racioppi is a New York City based performer, choreographer and educator. Her dance career began at the age of 10 years old, performing at Carnegie Hall. She went on to study with American Ballet Theatre and Manhattan Youth Ballet in hopes of achieving her dream of becoming a professional ballerina. Along the way, Broadway stole her heart! A few notable credits include: the Broadway National Tour of CATS, Beauty and the Beast as well as On Your Feet! at The Paper Mill Playhouse, and Off Broadway with The York Theatre in The Jerusalem Syndrome. Alexa is the Artistic Director and resident choreographer at Interim Dance Collective and is current faculty here at Montclair State University. @alexaracioppi

Mandi Dellagicoma (Production Stage Manager) Mandi Dellagicoma (She/Her) is a stage manager in the Montclair State Theater Design, Technology, and Management program. She’s a recipient of a Papermill Rising Star Award as well as a Cento Amici Award from the MSU College of the Arts. She’s worked as a stage technician, costume shop assistant, projection designer and operator, a theatrical photographer and as both an assistant stage manager and production stage manager. At Montclair, she has been as ASM on Anna in the Tropics, Sophisticated Ladies, Pride and Prejudice, and La Callisto. This is her PSM debut at Montclair and she’s so grateful for the opportunity to work on this inspiring project in its first iteration!

Amelia Diaz (Ensemble) Amelia Diaz is a freshman at MSU, is studying Musical Theatre, and is excited to perform in her first MSU production.

Jaxson Coley (Ensemble/ Raffi understudy) This is Jaxson Coley's first year at MSU, he has been in the workshop of King of Harlem and now Collateral Beauty! He is studying musical theatre and can’t wait to have more adventures within this major!

Zack Dooley (Howard) Zack is a freshman musical theatre major at MSU and is thrilled to be making his studio debut! Recent credits include Pippin (King Charles) at Casa Mañana.

Noah Lytle (Ensemble Whit U/S) Noah Lytle is super excited to be a part of this awesome production. He is a senior in the BFA my program here at msu. Some of his favorite credits include Into the woods (jack) Peter Pan (Peter Pan) seussical (whickersham). He thanks everyone involved!

Genesis Harper (Swing) Genesis is thrilled to be part of this production of Collateral Beauty. She is a junior mt major. Some of her favorite shows she’s been in were Spring Awakening, Brightstar, Mamma Mia, and Gypsy. Genesis has thoroughly enjoyed her time working on this production, and can’t wait to further her studies.

Mia Grizzuti (Swing) Mia is a junior musical theater major, and she is very excited to swing her first show at MSU! Her most recent productions are Spring Awakening as Martha and Violet as the Music Hall Singer. Mia is also an active participant at the Cali school of music, performing as Hansel in Hansel and Gretel and is apart of the vocal jazz group Vocamotion.

Juliet Hounsell (Ensemble) Juliet is a senior theatre studies major with a minor in musical theatre. This past fall, she played Frances in TTC’s production of Five Women Wearing the Same Dress. She is honored to be working alongside the incredible cast and creative team of Collateral Beauty and hopes to perform at MSU one last time this upcoming fall.

Matty Morales Ward (Ensemble) Matty Morales Ward is so excited to make his MSU debut as a freshman pursuing Musical Theater! He is incredibly proud and thankful to be a part of this cast and hopes you enjoy!

Trinity Quinto (Ensemble) Trinity is ecstatic and grateful to be in this beautiful production called Collateral Beauty. This is her first studio show and new work, which she is very thrilled to be a part of. Trinity is currently a sophomore in musical theatre. She also had the amazing opportunity of being a swing/understudy in the show Sophisticated Ladies her freshman year with the amazing Deidre Goodwin. Trinity is looking forward to her next 2 years at Montclair State University and what’s more to come!

AJ Doyle (Brigitte/ Death) AJ is a senior and is so excited to be performing in her first lead role in her last show at MSU! Most recently she appeared as an apostle in Jesus Christ Superstar and in the ensemble of Anyone Can Whistle! AJ would like to dedicate her performance to her loved ones who have passed and thank them for exposing her to the collateral beauty! Follow her on instagram @aj_doyle_

Tishaun Turner (Raffi/Time) Tishaun Turner is absolutely thrilled to make his freshman studio show debut in Collateral Beauty here at Montclair State University. Tishaun’s recent credits include, Something Rotten (The Minstrel), Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Father), Legally Blonde (ensemble), Jesus Christ Superstar, Ensemble and more!

Bella Marie Squatrito (Madeline) Bella is a junior musical theatre major. This is her third MSU production and her first major role. Outside of theatre, she enjoys playing the violin, rock climbing, and rewatching her favorite shows. She is so grateful to be telling this beautiful story alongside this cast, crew, and team.

Sean Condenzio (Whit) Sean Condenzio (Whit) is so thankful to be a part of Collateral Beauty for his final MSU production. You might have seen him in Spring Awakening, Anyone can whistle, and On The Town. Creating with such inspired peers, directors, and management has been a truly fulfilling finale to his education, and he’s excited to see where it takes him! LOVE FOR MY FAMILY!!!

Izzy Ramierz (Angela/Ensemble, Dance Captain) Izzy Ramirez is an actor born and raised in New Jersey and she is so excited to be closing out her last show at Montclair State University. Izzy’s recent credits include Anita in West Side Story at NCC Summer Theater, Cora Hoover Hooper in Anyone Can Whistle and an Apostle in Jesus Christ Superstar at Montclair State University. Izzy is a senior graduating in May with her BFA in Musical Theater and is so grateful for all of the people who have helped her get to this point. There is never enough time!! @izzyyramirez

DJ DeJesus (Ensemble/Howard US) DJ DeJesus is a first year musical theatre major and is thrilled to be a part of his second production here at Montclair State University! Other credits include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Anatole), Chicago (Billy Fylnn), and A Chorus Line (Paul San Marco). He wants to thank his family and numerous teachers and friends who have supported him in his journey. 

Gabriella Flores (Ensemble/Death US) Gaby Flores is originally from San Antonio Texas, and is currently in her Junior year as a Musical Theatre Major here at Montclair State. You might have seen her previously dancing on the Kasser stage in "Sophisticated Ladies", or here in 1200 as the Queen of "The Birds". She is so excited to share this piece with you and is looking forward to her Senior year!