Meet The Cast

Want to know who's making you laugh so hard ?

Well, meet our cast !

Nicole Piro
Cast Member
Nicole Piro is thrilled to be returning to Laffing Matterz and to the Broward Center. After studying theatre in Orlando, she got her feet wet entertaining the masses at Disney, MGM, Sea World, Universal Studios and then 101.4 Real Radio Night Show. Nicole has most recently seen at the Broward Center in their Education Series in Hansel and Gretel, Stone Soup and Jungle Book. Nicole is grateful to be a working actress and would like to thank Scott, Mom and Dad for all their support. Nicole proudly still eats CARBS.

Shawn Kilgore
Cast Member and Creative Team Member
Shawn Kilgore, a local actor since 1999, an original cast member of Laffing Matterz. Benjy Stone in Stage Door Theatre's "My Favorite Year “ (Curtain-Up Award 2001, South Florida's Most Promising Actor); Perchik in Hollywood Playhouse’s "Fiddler on the Roof" with Avi Hoffmann, the Doctor in Mosaic Theatre’s "A New Brain”, Shores Performing Arts: "Bat Boy-The Musical"(Rick/Lorraine), and "Blood Brothers" (Edward Lyons) (Best Actor in a Musical, Miami Sun), and The Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ "Zombie Prom" (Josh) & “Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral” (Gary Grossman). Shawn was a member of the long running Off-Broadway show, "A Stoop On Orchard Street", originating the role of Hiram in the South Florida and National Tours, and Sam in the L.A. production. Additional credits include Clay Aiken’s “A Joyful Noise” at HardRockLive!, the National Cast Album of “Nunsense A-Men!” (Sister Amnesia), and Delray Beach Playhouse/Randy De Lago’s Brandeis Concert Series.

Angela Thomas
Cast Member
Angela was discovered at the age of 4 singing and dancing on tables for money at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor in Decatur Illinois. Immediately after, her mother used her earnings to enroll her in Tap lessons. Angela continued to perform and received her BA in theatre from Eastern Illinois University. It was her MFA in Acting and Directing from Florida Atlantic University that brought her to Florida. Angela was the Artistic Director of the Florida Playwright’s Theatre in Hollywood from 1993-2000. She was named Best Actress in a Comedy by the New Times “Best of” issue for her portrayal of Doris in The Loman Family Picnic and received a Supporting Actress Carbonell nomination for the role of Holly in Uncommon Women and Others. Angela teaches theatre as an adjunct professor at Broward College and is a theatre teacher in the Broward County schools. She received a Broward County Teacher of the Year nomination in 2008. Angela is so thrilled to be a part of Laughing Matters and would like to thank Michael, Mark, and Rita for the incredible opportunity, the amazing Phil Hinton for getting her back into the biz, and her 5 year old daughter Frances aka “Frances Harvard” for the insight, direction, and constant motivation

Kimberley Xavier Martins
Cast Member
After recently starring as Desiree in the critically acclaimed A Little Night Music at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, Kimberley Xavier Martins is really excited to get back to waiting tables. Other favorite acting credits include the First National Tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver! (Mrs. Sowerberry/Old Sally), The Taffetas (Peggy), I love a Piano (Sadie), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Princess Puffer), A Chorus Line (Val), Nunsense II (Sr. Leo) as well as a big, loser contestant on The Price is Right.
Special thanks to Nigel for being the best son ever, Rita and Mark for keeping their dream alive so I can have a job, Michael for believing and Phil for everything else a girl could need.

Joey Zangardi
Cast Member
Joey Zangardi is a recent transplant from NYC and is excited to be joining the cast of Laffing Matterz. Please note that Joey is not a baby kangaroo, as his name may imply; he is a real human boy. He enjoys long walks on the beach, chicken fingers, as well as something that he cannot write because mom is gonna read this. After a career as an agent and a casting director for MTV and Fox, he has returned to the stage. Some of his favorite credits include Les Miserables, The Immigrant - the Musical, The Who’s Tommy, Showtune – a Jerry Herman Review, The Wizard of Oz, and Baby. He graduated with a BA in Theatre from Otterbein College (Columbus, Ohio). Joey would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support.

Travis Lane McDiffett
Cast Member
Travis has been a performer for as long as he can remember. Past performances include 4+ years as wrangler of unruly children in K-8 Music Educator, folder of napkins and setter of tables for 12+ years in The Food Service Industry, smiling politely and nodding for 2+ years as front desk agent in Hotel Guest Relations, getting in touch with his working class roots for a few months in Warehouse Box Lifter and most recently learning patience and perseverance in the Barnes & Noble production of Bookseller.

He has even been an actor on occasion; appearing regionally as Seymour in The Little Shop of Horrors, Bobby in Company, Sparky in Forever Plaid, Older Patrick in Mame, and Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, among several others. However he’s most proud of the 6 years he assumed the new identity of Lane and joined the cast of The Crystal Palace Theatre Restaurant in Aspen, CO. Although he’s traded his snowboard and goggles for flip flops and sun glasses, a part of his heart will always be with the family of friends he left behind in the mountains. Now, Travis is excited to be part of the Laffing Matterz family and looking forward to entertaining/offending the masses here in Fort Lauderdale!

Louis Silvers
Cast Member
After attending Northwestern University, Louis became the first apprentice at The Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre in Jupiter Florida. He appeared along such stars as Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Dom DeLuise, Charles Nelson Reilly, Kaye Ballard, Martin Sheen, Karen Valentine, Shelley Berman, and Theodore Bikel.

After moving to Los Angeles, Louis had roles in “Benson”, “Amazing Stories”, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, “Double Trouble”, “Hot Stuff”, and “Sharkys’ Machine”. He also had a recurring role on “The Facts of Life”. Louis starred on Broadway in OH! CALCUTTA!, off-Broadway: THE BAR, SEYMORE GLICK…,HIGH STRUNG QUARTET, and I CAN’T STOP SCREAMING!. Nat’l Tours include: THE ROTHSCHILDS, directed by Lonnie Price; and MEET ME AT THE PITKIN. Regionally, Louis has performed all over the country, some of his favorites being: “Pajama Game“, “Love! Valour! Compassion!”, “The Disputation“,
“Phantom“, “Lend Me A Tenor“, “On A Clear Day…”, and “The Sunshine Boys“.

Rusty Allison
Cast Member
Rusty Allison is thrilled to be back Laffing along with so many old friends. He also is thrille dto add a few new face to the Six Degrees of Rusty Allison game. A graduate of AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy), Rusty has worked all over South Florida since relocating here from NYC in 2000. Recently scene in 1776 at Actor's Playhouse and Taming of the Shrew at New Theatre, favorite roles include Sweeney Todd and Morris in No Way to Treat a Lady. Special thanks to Mark, Rita, Michael, and Phil for the chance to be your server, as well as his old friends at the Broward Center, where he has been scene in Tony & Tina's Wedding, Grandma Sylvia's Funeral (which he also co-directed). Rusty sends his love to Robin, Jake, and brother Jay. And by the way, would you like crab cakes with that?

Sarah Dell'Amico
Cast Member and Creative Team Member
Born and raised in Broward County, Sarah Dell'Amico is thrilled to be joining Laffing Matterz at the Broward Center. She has been an improvisational comedienne for the past 2 years with performances in West Palm Beach, Broward & Miami under her belt. She was also the Box office manager at Laffing Matterz previous theatre. Sarah has studied improvisation with MOD27 Productions, Just The Funny and THEY Improv and sketch comedy writing with The Second City. She is an Aries that enjoys frolics in the middle of spring and bringing laughter to the world. Sarah would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her “funny” dreams. Words cannot describe her excitement and joy to have her voice be a part of the Laffing Matterz cast… instead of the voice behind the box office phone.

Marisa Santiago
Cast Member
Marisa is thrilled to be joining the cast of Laffing Matterz. Upon graduating from the William Esper Studio in NYC Marisa moved to Florida to be with her family and continue her education.
Marisa is currently studying at FAU for her BA in Theatre and looks forward to continuing on to graduate school...some day.
Favorite performances include Connie in Tony n' Tina's Wedding (off broadway), Ortega in Ferdinand the Bull (TheatreworksUSA), Delores in Working, Rachel in Reckless & Frastrada in Pippin.

Danielle Worth
Performer
Asn original member of the Laffing Matterz cast, Dani is proud to be back in the mix. Favorite credits include, The Merchant of Venice (Portia), The Full Monty, (Estelle), Dancing at Lughnasa, (Kate) and City Theatre’s Summer Shorts Festival to name a few. Dani is a merit awardee of NFAA and the NSAA for acting, and a two-time Carbonell nominee. Most recently, she starred in Pleasant Prairie, which debuted at the SXSW film festival. She holds a BFA from New World School of the Arts. When she isn’t performing she is practicing and teaching yoga.

Phil Hinton
Production Musical Director
Phil was, for many years, a pianist, arranger and conductor for the BBC in London, UK. He has also arranged and conducted more than 250 albums for artists such as Anthony Newley, Shirley Bassey, Howard Keel, Vince Hill and Andrew Lloyd-Webber to name just a few. He was also Vince Hill's personal music director for nine years. Since permanently relocating to the USA in 1994, he has directed countless theatre shows all over the USA as well as having toured with Aretha Franklin and Jim Baily. He has also given many classical and jazz piano recitals around the USA and on several cruise ships, including the world-famous QE2. Phil was also conductor of the Florida Pops Concert orchestra for three years. Apart from now being music director for the new Laffing Matterz he is also director of music for LMIC in Coral Springs.

John Eustace
Executive Chef

Jamie Cooper
Production Goddess
Jamie has been actively working as a production manager in South Florida for over fifteen years. Originally from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, she came to Florida to attend the University of Miami where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education. Jamie has stage managed and served as technical director for numerous musicals and revues for corporate events including Motorola, Hewlett Packard, The Florida Sterling Awards, and The Nevada Governor’s Council. Some of her musical theatre credits include La Cage Aux Folles, Zero Hour, The Life, Perfect Harmony, Jim Bailey as Barbra Streisand, The Kid From Brooklyn, and Groucho starring Gabe Kaplan. Jamie has also served as tour director / company manager for over 30 Florida touring productions. In addition to stage managing, Jamie has also worked extensively as a choreographer and lighting designer all over the world. Her International credits include production shows at The Theatre Variete, Palais Montcalm, and The Shawinigan Theatre in Canada, Minakami, Dogashima, and Inatori Resorts in Japan, and most recently The Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas.