LEANNE BRUNN (Squish & Others) Off-Broadway: James and the Giant Peach (Ladybug), Hungry Caterpillar Show, Regional: Avenue Q (Kate/Lucy), Hairspray (Tracy), Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett) @ the O’Neill, Little Shop of Horrors. National Tours: ImaginOcean, Veggietales Live, Pout Pout Fish. Leanne is also the owner of Full Beat Puppetry, a puppetry consulting and design studio.Her studio’s latest work were seen onstage in the Atlantic Theatre’s Off-Broadway production of The Big One-Oh. 

HARRISON BRYAN (Apollo & Others) Off-Broadway/NYC: A Patron of the Arts (The Cherry Lane), Brecht on Brecht (Atlantic), MCC's FreshPlay Festival, Spring Awakening (NY Innovative Theatre Award). Select Regional: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Helen Hayes Nom.), Hand to God (Handy Award), Little Shop of Horrors, Avenue Q, Assassins, Twelfth Night. TV: Blue Bloods (CBS), The Deuce (HBO). Dedicated to Family, Katie, and ALL pets, (even you Lacey, woof). To unconditional love. HarrisonBryan.com / IG: @hahaharrisonbryan

ALEX BURNETTE (Mishka & Others) Off Broadway: Olivier Py’s The Young Girl, The Devil, & The Mill (Festival D’Auvignon), Theatre Smash (York Theatre Co.) NY Theatre: Sleepy Hollow Experience, Addy & Uno. National tour: A Charlie Brown Christmas (Linus). A restless musician, Alex has written and developed original shows for Cedar Fair Theme Parks’ “Haunt” Seasons.  Love to his rescued furever friend, Sirius! Meows the moment! @alexbburnette

LISA HELMI JOHANSON (Rue) is a singer/actor/musician/writer/producer who has a passion for developing new works, authentic storytelling, and intentionality in representation as a means to further the work of racial justice and social equity. Grateful to bring Rue to the stage and inspire a new generation of rescuers! Check out her creds and upcoming projects at www.lisahelmijohanson.com. Micah 6:8 For my J&J. IG:@hurricanehelmi

CAITLIN KINNUNEN (Alex) is a Tony nominated actress for her work in The Prom on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include The Bridges of Madison County (Carolyn), Spring Awakening (Thea). Film/TV credits include The Intern, Sweet Little Lies, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Younger, American Vandal, The Knick, and Law & Order: SVU. 

BRENDAN MALAFRONTE (Artemis & Others) is- me! I’ve toured with John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean, Annie, and Disney Cruise Line. I was even a professor of puppetry at PACE school of performing arts! There were other shows too. Listen, I’m very proud to have co-created the television show, The Reading League’s Reading Buddies (handle below) with my wife, Andrea Dotto, my best friend. Thanks belong to her, Stacey … and YOU! We couldn’t do this without you. @readingbuddiestrl

KATHRYN McCREARY (Miss Gladys & Others) is thrilled to be back on stage! Previously, she toured with The Phantom of the Opera and Avenue Q. Favorite productions include The NewYorkers (Encores!) and Subways are for Sleeping (The York). You can hear her with Musica Viva, the Ailey Revelations Choir and the AllsWell Sisters Jazz Trio.  She was the 2019 Musical Theater winner of the American Traditions Vocal Competition and a Regional Met Competition finalist. Love to J & D.  www.kathrynmccreary.com ig @allswell_sisters. 

REBECCA RUSSELL (Assistant Stage Manager & Understudy) is honored to be making her Off-Broadway debut with such a heartwarming and meaningful show. Regional: The Little Mermaid - Flounder (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre), Ragtime - Kathleen (Theatre Under The Stars), Annie - Pepper, Madagascar - Maurice (Crane River Theatre). She thanks her family, friends, 15C, pup Blue, and the Lord for helping her along this journey and on to many more.

QUINN CORCORAN (Understudy) Off-Broadway: James and the Giant Peach (Atlantic Theater), Blue Man Group. National Tour: Junie B. Jones (TheatreWorks USA). Regional roles: Murder for Two (Marcus), Sweeney Todd (Anthony), and Into the Woods (Cinderella's Prince). TV: A Wilderness of Error (FX), The Deuce (HBO). Quinn is a piano-playin', play-writin', song composin', rootin' tootin' rascal! Pace University: BA Acting. All the thanks to Stacey and the gang! IG: quinn.corcoran

RUE (Production Consultant) is thrilled to be the inspirawtion for her very own musical, and hopes her journey helps doggies, kitties, and many others find their own furever families! Originally from somewhere in West Virginia, Rue was found on the streets and brought to a high-kill shelter, and then rescued by the Badass Animal Rescue and brought to New York City where she met her mom on what they now call Rue-perbowl Sunday (not a National Howliday, but it should be!). Rue's favorite pastimes are eating snackies, napping, sleeping, and eating more snackies. She also likes a good squeaky toy, and loves her human grandma and step-brother Jack Jack, even if he can be annoying sometimes. She understands why her mom wrote a sequel.

STACEY WEINGARTEN (Director, Book, Lyrics; Producer) is an Emmy-winning artist who specializes in writing, directing, and producing musical and puppet works. She develops projects for both stage and screen, often with an agenda of social awareness and understanding through entertainment. Other kids and family works include: Monica’s Mixing Bowl, a digital series that helps families “make friends with food”; Runaway Rue, the second in the ‘Rescue Rue’ series; short films Cone of Shame (A Handmade Puppet Dreams Commission) and Beach Day (48 Hour Puppet Film Project - Award Winner). A former Dramatist Guild Fellow, her favorite projects not-quite-for-kiddos include 5th Republic (DG Fellowship), Madame (NYMF), spirits – the bar plays (Players Theatre NY; Skylight Theater LA), and LUDO’s Broken Bride (Ars Nova; The Cutting Room; NYMF). As a self-described 'puppet person', Stacey's consulted on projects including Blippi’s Treehouse (Amazon) and Reading Buddies (PBS), which includes directing for Reading Buddies’ Season 2 premiering later this year!. In her life as a puppet wrangler she’s worked everywhere from Sesame Street (Sesame Workshop) and Julie’s Greenroom (Netflix) to Crank Yankers (Comedy Central), and Avenue Q (Original Production). She’s also a trained puppeteer! Stacey teaches puppetry at Pace University, and serves as President of the Children’s Media Association LA. Please visit saweingarten.com or follow her @sayetc.

JOSHUA ZECHER-ROSS (Music & Lyrics) has worked on productions in New York and around the country as a music supervisor and director, conductor, arranger, and orchestrator. Broadway: Be More Chill (conductor sub). Recently: A Christmas Carol (Denver Center), The Louder We Get (Theatre Calgary), Cheek to Cheek with the Omaha and Steamboat Symphony Orchestras, Sweetee (The Signature Theatre, Off-Broadway). Regional credits include Barrington Stage Company, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Theatre Calgary, George Street Playhouse. Joshua holds a Bachelor of music in vocal performance from the Steinhardt School at New York University and is an instructor at the NY Film Academy. @joshuazr1311

KATE STEINBERG (Music & Lyrics) is a NYC-based artist, background vocalist, songwriter, session singer, keyboardist, producer, and composer. As a versatile background vocalist and keyboardist for a variety of artists in studio and on stage, Kate has played venues ranging from Good Morning America with Elle King, to Toyota Stadium with The Voice Season 16 winner Maelyn, to national tours with Sleigh Bells (band). Kate's arrangements, vocals, and compositions have been featured in artist recordings, jingles, film, television shows, video games, advertisements, and viral videos for clients such as Warner Bros. Pictures, Hefty, Marvel, Coors Light, Brother, UPS, McDonald's, and KFC. Kate performs her original cinematic pop compositions under the artist name Emily Prime. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music in Songwriting with a concentration in voice.

DANA LEVINSON (Music & Lyrics) is an actor, writer, and musician. Favorite acting credits, television: Toni Rykener in American Gods (Starz), Sadie Lipton in The Good Fight (CBS All Access), film: Hazel in Adam (dir. Rhys Ernst, Sundance, 2019), Jess in The Dress You Have On (dir. Courtney Hope Thérond, OutFest 2018), theatre: Grace in the world premiere of Ballast. Dana was a Dramatists Guild Fellow and their TV pilot script FRAUD was a finalist for the Sundance Episodic Program. Favorite musical theater writing credits, music and lyrics: 5th Republic, MADAME, and arrangements and additional story for LUDO’s Broken Bride. Her musical theater work has been supported by MTF, NYMF, Ars Nova, Prospect Theater Company, and Broadway au Carré in Paris. As an actor, she can next be seen in the upcoming Netflix film The Gray Man, directed by the Russo Brothers and starring Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling, as well as the short film, FRAUD, based on her pilot of the same name. Dana is represented by Buchwald and Industry Entertainment.

ANGELA PARRISH (Music & Lyrics) is a Los Angeles-based songwriter, composer, record producer, artist, and multi-instrumentalist. A musical Swiss Army Knife, Angela creates across multiple genres with joy, authenticity, and humor. She has sung alongside Ben Folds, Paul Williams, Jimmy Kimmel, Florence + the Machine, and beloved trio Mickey, Donald, and Goofy. Millions of cinema devotees heard her sing “Another Day of Sun,” the song that opens the Academy Award-winning film musical La La Land. Angela’s 2015 debut EP, Faithful and Tall, earned a pair of Independent Music Award nominations. Other accolades include Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the Songwriters Hall of Fame/ASCAP Abe Olman Scholarship for Excellence in Songwriting. Angela co-wrote songs for the 2020 film Chance starring Matthew Modine, earning a Hollywood Music in Media Award nomination. Angela is the vocal producer for the BBC/Disney series “Chuggington” and is working on several upcoming projects.

RHONDA MILLER (Choreographer) is a highly acclaimed choreographer. Her work has been seen in countless venues nationally and abroad. She has vast experience choreographing for Stage, TV, Film and Commercials. Rhonda is an extremely popular and sought after master teacher of various styles of dance around the world and is proud to have written the highly respected, BFA Commercial dance program for Pace University in New York City. She is thrilled to add the world of puppet choreography to her list of accomplishments. www.rhondamillerdance.com

PETER HODGSON (Music Director, Orchestrations, Additional Arrangements) hails from Sacramento, California, but now lives in New York City working as a composer and music director.  He holds a BM and an MFA from NYU. Since graduating, he’s been working regionally as a music director, orchestrator, and writing his own shows. Selected: A Christmas Story: LIVE! (FOX), Pippin (B-way revival), West Side Story (Tisch New Theatre) Thanks to the cast and crew, my family, and Bethany. www.peterhodgsonmusic.com

LENA GABRIELLE (Arrangements) is a New York City and Austin-based music director, arranger/orchestrator, composer/lyricist, and performer specializing in new works development. Selected NYC: Emojiland (NYT Critics Pick January 2020), You Me I We, Endangered!, The Most Miserable Christmas Tree, New York Animals, Selected Regional/ Tour: Dr Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Falling in Love with Mr. Dellamort, Aida, The Full Monty, A Taste of Things to Come, Next to Normal. lenagabriellemusic.com

DAVID GOLDSTEIN (Scenic Design)  loves dogs, puppets, and musicals, and this show checks all boxes!  Currently represented Off Broadway by Winnie the Pooh, his other credits include Emojiland, Church and State, Stalking the Bogeymaan, That Golden Girls Show, The Portal, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, Soul Doctor. Regional Credits Include: Timberlake Playhouse, Tibbets Opera House, Cohoes Music Hall, Des Moines Playhouse, Grand Theatre Salt Lake, NC Stage Co, JAG Productions, Luna Stage, WV Public Theatre, Allenberry Playhouse. www.davidgoldsteindesigns.com

VANESSA LEUCK (Costume Design) Thrilled to be working on Rescue Rue! Other favorite designs include: Emojiland (The Duke on 42nd Street); Outer Critics Circle Honoree, Drama Desk Nominee;  Midnight at the Never Get (The York); Disenchanted! (Westside Theater); Henry Hewes Award Nominee; and Disney on Ice: Let’s Celebrate! Vanessa is currently designing Senior Living (Portland Stage); Wonderland (Tuachan); and collaborating on a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol (Broadway on The North Fork). Love to Ethan and AJ. vanessaleuckcostumes.com

CECILIA DURBIN (Lighting Designer) Recent Designs: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Kansas City Rep); The Wolves, A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Actor’s Theatre Louisville); Sense & Sensibility, Love Alone (Playmakers Rep); This is Sadie, The Little Red Fish (New York City Children’s Theatre); Calling: a dance with faith (Ping Chong DanceCo); Selkie (Dutch Kills Theater); Bernie & Mikey’s Trip to the Moon (Strangemen Theatre, 59E59); Birthday Candles, Marie & Rosetta, Murder Ballad (Detroit Public Theatre).  MFA from NYU; member USA829.  www.durbinlighting.com

EMMA WILK (Sound Designer) is a New York based sound designer and collaborator. Her designs have been heard at New York theaters including The Public, Theater Row, The Lortel, New World Stages, La MaMa, 59E59, Rattlestick, and HERE. Some of her favorite designs include Confidence (and the Speech), Monsoon Season, The Heiress, Dog Man: The Musical, A Clockwork Orange, Bright Half Life, Machinal, Ajijaak on Turle Island, and Corey: The Secret Lives of Edward Gorey. She has worked regionally in Washington DC, New England, New Jersey, Upstate NY, Idaho and Aspen CO. Broadway Associate/Assistant Designer credits include Burn This, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Heisenberg, and The Lyons. Member USA 829. Emmamwilk.com.

IEN DeNIO (Sound Designer) is a two-time Drama Desk nominated enby, who seems to enjoy leaving their umbrella at home when it is definitely going to rain. This makes their mother make that exasperated noise… the one you hear in your head when she isn't around. That one. Bet you just heard it in your head. Sound Designed. They have two rescue kitties - JM and Jas. They have designed many shows in many places. www.iendenio.com [Neverbugs... little ones.]

BOBBIE ZLOTNIK (Hair Design) Recent off-broadway design credits include Fairycakes, Mornings at Seven, & Emojiland (Drama Desk Nom.) A proud member/educator for I.A.T.S.E. 798, he has been fortunate to work in the hair departments of two dozen Broadway Shows & national tours including Beautiful (production wig supervisor), Wicked, To Kill A Mockingbird. Film/TV credits include Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Gilded Age, & White House Plumbers.

ANDY HAYWARD (Puppet Designer) Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (Apple TV / Henson), Waffles + Mochi (Netflix / Higher Ground), Come Play (Amblin), Super Simple Songs (Skyship Entertainment). Puppet Design: Miss Persona (Daytime Emmy Nomination: Outstanding Preschool Series), Chuck E. Cheese Entertainment, Sesame Street Live, Bear In the Big Blue House Live. The puppets of Rescue Rue are dedicated to Andy's rescued Shiba Inus, Jeff and Gus. Adopt; don't shop! www.andyhayward.me

SIERRA SCHOENING (Specialty Props Design) is an Emmy award winning prop and puppet builder. Works for the Jim Henson Company NY. Went to school at SAIC (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) and makes stuff.

ELLIE HANDEL (Production Stage Manager) (she/her) is a stage manager, director, and actor with a passion for developing new musicals and plays. Off-Broadway: Emojiland (Sub PSM), Endangered! The Musical (PSM), Confidence and the Speech (ASM). NYMF: LadyShip (ASM). Workshops: Little Black Book (PSM). Cherry Tortured (ASM), Change Partners (NY City Center – ASM). Proud grad and adjunct faculty at NYU Tisch Drama. AEA member and rescue cat mama. For Mom, Dad, & Sophie. See more at www.EllieHandel.com.

ADDITIONAL CREDITS & SPECIAL THANKS

Scenery built by Hillbolic Arts & Carpentry. Costume Stitching by Vanessa Leuck, Jaclyn Mercer, Jess Gerz, Nicole Wilkowski, Liv Kurtz. Lighting Equipment provided by Hayden Production Services. Projection Audio provided by Five Ohm Productions. Musical Tracks recorded at Spin Recording Studios.

Elise and Harvey Weingarten, Ann Hu, Randy Overland, Katie Luke, The Cast & Crew of the Filmed Production, Badass Animal Rescue, Bree Perry for the design of Fairy Dogmother's Dress.