Creative Team
Devon James (Director)
A New York native, past directorial credits include “Rent”, “Godspell”, “Hairspray”, and the New York regional premiere of “Dog sees God”. He has also directed several original musicals revues. “bare” is Devon’s Manhattan directorial debut and first collaboration with Sponge! Devon is also a performer throughout the Westchester and Manhattan area.
As a director, “bare” has been a long time dream and the music has captured hearts for so many. He is honored to bring this production back to the heart of the NYC theater community and spread the message of love and self acceptance now in a historic time of change for equality for all.
Christopher Noffke (Choreographer)
is thrilled to be working with Sponge Theatricals on BARE. His most recent credits include Choreographing The Full Monty (starrring Sally Struthers), Choreographer/Assistant Director for Dreamgirls, Hello Dolly (Sally Struthers), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Chicago and Footloose (for which he served as both Director and Choreographer) at the Riverside Center in VA. He most recently Choreographed/Co-Directed Oliver, Directed Season's Greetings and Yes Virginia, Choreographed The Little Women, and starred in David Sedaris' Santaland Diaries at The Kentucky Repertory Theatre in Horse Cave, KY. He is an award winning choreographer and has worked throughout the midwest and east coast as both performer and choreographer. Last summer Christopher choreographed Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party at The Secret Theatre in NYC, and this past February choreographed and danced on The Jerry Springer Show. Other credits include the NYC 2011 Choreographers Canvas, serving as resident choreographer for the Naples Dinner Theatre, FL and Director/Choreographer for Northern Lights Playhouse, WI where he worked on such shows as Tommy, My Fair Lady, Victor,Victoria, Anything Goes, Mame, Pal Joey, and Sugar. He is currently on staff at STEPS on Broadway and teaches musical theatre, dance and jazz, and performs as a Zombie for IES Zombiefest in NYC. Christopher is also a musical theatre performer and has has performed in theaters around the country and on tour. He is currently directing two One Acts for the LIC One Act Play Festival this April at The Secret Theatre in LIC!
This is Christopher's first experience with BARE, and he is very excited because we are breaching a point of total equality. This show teaches us to not only love each other, and be true to who we are, but to love ourselves. That is the hardest kind of love to find. It's that kind of passion that he has for his work, and that is what attracts him to this piece. — with Christopher Noffke.
Angela Borst (Costume Designer) is a New York City-based costume designer and has designed costumes for theatrical productions, special events and costume competitions along the east coast.
Her previous works include SPONGE Theatricals "Dracula", Riverside Theatre Arts "Peter Pan: Flight to Neverland", NCT "Crazy For You" and "Noises Off". She is thrilled to collaborate again with SPONGE Theatricals for their production of "bare: A Pop Opera".
Angela strongly believes that costumes play a major part in the story telling of a show. They are the first impression you have of the character and really establish who they are.
She cannot wait to help tell the story in bare which has such a strong message of understanding and love that truly touches the hearts of all.