Department of Theatre and Dance 

Daniel Gurskis, Dean, College of the Arts

Kathleen Kelley, Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance 

Artistic and Cast Biographies 

Heather Benton (director, devising team) is the Head of the B.F.A. Acting Program and Associate Professor in Acting & Movement in the Department of Theatre and Dance. She has been acting, directing & devising for over twenty years. Heather specializes in physical approaches to acting and teaches Acting and Movement in the BFA Acting curriculum. Benton is a certified Lucid Body Instructor. Directing & Devising credits at MSU (Marie Antoinette, Identity, El Encuentro, What We Hold On To, Yerma, 10X Shanley, Sex Sentience Love & Information, Curious Incident, Wedding Band, Iphigenia at Aulis, Polaroid Stories, Wintertime etc…)

Leah Wilks (devising team) is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer based out of Brooklyn, originally hailing from North Carolina. They have taught and shared their work in a variety of locations including the American Dance Festival, Elon University, University of Michigan, Ponderosa Tanzland festival, Theater for the New City, and Northern Stage. Leah is currently an adjunct faculty member in Dance at Montclair. This is her first show with the lovely folks over in Theater, and she is thrilled to be creating with such an incredible team

Abigail Espinal is an award-winning Latin, queer, transgender actress and writer with several years of film and theatre experience, from shorts and features, to off-Broadway plays and festivals. Recent credits include “Mercutio” in Romeo and Juliet and “The Princess” in The Convant of Pleasure. She is grateful to perform with this incredible cast and crew in her final college production!


May Wang is in her Junior year at MSU in the BFA Acting Department, and has been in a couple of productions here such as Marie Antoinette, Pride and Prejudice, Lysistrata, and Mad Forest so far. She is very excited to share this work, with an amazing cast and crew to everyone. She is looking forward to her senior year here and seeing what the future holds!

Johanna Ocampo (Costume Design Team) is a proud first-generation Colombian actor, writer, musician, and now hair stylist, makeup artist, and costume designer. Johanna is beyond excited for their first formal experience working behind the scenes in a production. They are also so happy to pay homage to the intersectionality of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC history through the show’s fashion and makeup. 

Johanna Ocampo is a current BFA Acting Junior making their debut in a BFA production. In addition to acting, Johanna is a musician, writer, and makeup artist. Recent credits include Celestina del Sol in Cloud Tectonics (2025) and Mimi Marquez in RENT (2023) and various short films. They are thrilled to continue exploring other creative fields in addition to their career as an actor in both film and live theatre.

Charlotte Caplan is a BFA Acting  sophomore. Recent credits include The Ugly Duckling in Shrek: The Musical and understudying Nina/Emma in Stupid Fucking Bird. This is her first devising experience and she has thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with the team and bringing this work to life. She hopes to continue working in physical theatre and exploring theatre for social change.

Maxwell Hollis (He/Him) is a freshman BFA Acting major and is proud to be making his debut. Previous acting credits include Carl Brown (The Quilt Keepers), Bernard (The Boys in the Band), and Andrew Carnes (Oklahoma). You can learn more about Maxwell and his craft at www.maxwellhollis.com.

Maxwell Hollis (Lighting Designer) (He/Him) is a freshman BFA Acting major. He is proud to be lighting his 5th show here at Montclair State. Previous lighting credits include Confederates, Cloud Tectonics, and How to Defend Yourself. Learn more about Maxwell and his craft at www.maxwellhollis.com. 

Angelina Benatar (Thyona) is a sophomore in the acting BFA program. This is her first MainStage production at Montclair State university and is very excited to perform such an impactful story. She would like to thank all the people who help bring this production to life on and off the stage and hopes you enjoy it!

Sydney Zarro (She/Her) is a Freshman BFA Acting major and is making her debut as an understudy. Her previous performances include Hunyak (Chicago), Lilith (She Kills Monsters), and Marcie (You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown). She’s thrilled to be a part of such a unique process and hopes you all enjoy it! Sydney would like to thank all her family and friends and her wonderful cast mates for all their support.

Jordyn Barr (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Freshman BFA Acting major. This is her first time being involved in the making of a production here at Montclair State University and her first time ever assistant stage managing. Jordyn has had a hand in performing on the stage but has never been on the other side of the rehearsal process. She is extremely honored to be a part of a show that tells such a beautiful story. She hopes that everyone enjoys the Bound/Unbound!

Shelton ‘Shelly B’ Hightower (Constantine) from Huntsville, Texas is a versatile actor with the zeal and talent for bringing complex and convincing characters to life on stage. Shelly started his acting career 3 years ago and is currently in his junior year of the BFA Acting program at Montclair State University. Shelly brings a wealth of magnetic energy and life experience to the stage with the roles he has been tasked to embody. He is thrilled to be part of this production and looks forward to bringing this powerful story to life alongside a talented cast. Shelly would like to dedicate this and all upcoming performances to the memory of his late father Glend Hightower, & to his mother Mae, both of Huntsville, Texas. “Without y’all, there’s no me. Thank you”.

Brianna Elaine Martinez (Thyona). I have attended MSU for 3 long years, going into my senior year (YAY) as a B.F.A. Acting Major. I’ve worked on Marie Antoinette as wardrobe, built multiple set pieces for shows and was Sandra in our production Confederates by Dominique Morisseau Directed by Chuck Burks! I absolutely adore my school and my program and cannot wait to share this show with you and many more here, and on the outside. Can’t wait to see you!!

Danny Duda (Giuliano/Olympia) is a sophomore acting major at MSU. He has recently been in Our Town (George), Romeo and Juliet (Romeo) and Mad Forest (Translator). He is excited for audiences to see his first time working on a devised piece! He is looking forward to continuing work in the physical medium.

Anjelica Soto (Lydia) is a Junior Musical Theatre major. She is proud to be working on her first devised play with the Acting Program. Last semester, she performed as Sonya in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. Stream her debut single, This Boat, everywhere you listen to music. Follow her artistic journey: @anjelicajsoto on Instagram and Tiktok.

Connor Naspo (Oed) Is a Freshman BFA actor. select credits include, Awards: Best Performance, Supporting (Basies), Best Dramatic Film (All American) Television: The Curious Case Of (HBO) Film: Ribs (Lead), Brotherhood Of The Fallen (Lead), Wingman (Lead) Theater: Matilda (Michael), Spamalot (Lancelot), Mad Forest (Understudy), Radio: Lifting The Trophy (90.3 WMSC) @Connor_Naspo_official “love always beats hate”

Thomas Freeman(Piero) This is Thomas’ first year at montclair and this is also his first production! He is a BFA Acting major and plans on pursuing film after college. Thomas is from Burlington, New Jersey, but clams Atlanta whenever asked. Thomas is excited to play in his first show at Montclair!

Leslie Carvajal Cruz (Stage Manager) (She/Her) is a freshman BFA Acting Major. This is her first time working in a devised piece and her first MSU show as well. She has a handful of experience being on stage and some directing experience as well. She is proud to share her first stage managing experience with everyone. A celebratory “Break a Leg” to everyone involved in this beautiful production!