BREAKING THE RULES
October Ensemble is a New Jersey-based production company that creates story-driven, high-quality shows and events, with a focus on immersive, fourth-wall-breaking productions unchained from the traditional stage.
WHY "OCTOBER ENSEMBLE?"
The name October Ensemble doesn’t just sound cool – it has a meaning that encapsulates our core beliefs:
October represents a month of change. We believe change is needed in the arts. Change in the way we value the labor of art, change in the way we treat actors and audiences, and change in the way we think about the stage in a digital, online world.
Ensemble represents our belief in ensemble-focused productions. Our collective of artists creates, develops, and performs original productions, reimagined classics, and immersive events together.
MEET THE PRODUCING TEAM
DAKOTA REIDER
PRODUCER
Dakota Reider’s (he/him) grandmother forced him into his first musical at 11 years old because baseball just wasn’t working out. Thankfully, the moment Dakota took the stage he knew this was where he belonged. Thanks, Grandma!
Known as NJ’s Most beloved Tenor, Dakota studied classical voice with world renowned, Juilliard-trained Master Teacher, Steven Schnurman before continuing a career in the arts as an award-winning director and performer.
Getting his start in non-profit, Dakota served on the board of multiple community theatres before transitioning to regional and professional productions following his BS in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University. He now specializes in event marketing and development, and has sold out countless productions across the United States.
Dakota co-founded October Ensemble with his fiancée, Elle River, driven by a belief that the arts connect us, inspire growth, and have the power to shape a better world. He’s passionate about revitalizing live theatre and rekindling genuine human connection beyond the screens that so often define our lives.
When Dakota’s not producing the next big thing, you can find him spoiling his cat Klaus, singing as part of Dakota & Elle Music, or booking yet another Disney trip.
ELLE RIVER
CREATIVE PRODUCER
Elle River (she/her) wrote, directed, and starred in her first show at age seven: an unauthorized sequel to The Lion King performed entirely by handmade puppets. She’s been chasing that storytelling high ever since.
An accomplished director and performer with 20+ years of leading-stage experience in both established and original roles—including a decade spent as a professional princess character actor—Elle now directs the creative charge at October Ensemble.
She’s the writer behind the company’s sold-out immersive murder mysteries (Murder, Magic & Mead and The Sweetest Crime) and their hit comedy show Oh Sh*t Sherlock! and brings her playful curiosity to every production as OE’s casting director, artistic lead, and resident puppet enthusiast.
Elle holds her MFA from Southern New Hampshire University and has trained extensively in soprano voice, studying with Juilliard-trained master teacher Steven Schnurman. She specializes in character acting, improv, and immersive storytelling.
A chronic illness and disability advocate, Elle lives and performs with a connective tissue disorder and the rare genetic disease Hereditary Coproporphyria (HCP).
When not onstage with OE, you can usually find Elle writing her next story, performing as one-half of NJ’s Beloved Tenor and Soprano Duo (Dakota & Elle Music), or trying to keep her Stardew Valley farm from falling into absolute chaos.
KAITY MACCALLA
COMPANY MANAGER
Exploring a curiosity for the behind the scenes, Kaity studied Theatre at Marymount Manhattan College in NYC. During that time, she worked with The York Theatre and 59E59, and incorporated her love for community building by working with the Hip to Hip Shakespeare Theatre Company which provided free, professional productions of classics along with “Kids & The Classics” workshops.
Over the past decade, Kaity paired her love of the arts with her passion for spreadsheets working in production operations, most notably, with OneBeat Dance Productions where she facilitated producing over 70 events a year across the country. Kaity is ecstatic to return to her roots in theatre. She is incredibly grateful to the October Ensemble team.
When not at the Jersey Shore Arts Center, she can be found curled up with her cat (Prince Zuko) and a good book, attempting to play sports she is terrible at with her nieces, exploring local hidden gems with her wife, playing TTRPGs, or adopting another new craft hobby.
NICK ST. ONGE
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Nick St.Onge (he/him) was raised on a horse farm. In the sixth grade his school offered him the ability to stay after school for play rehearsal which he attended, a few times.
His performance as The Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz was his first accidental brush with improv in front of a live audience and it went… okay!
Since the sixth grade, he has built a respect for attending rehearsal and scripted media, but found his main passion to be improvised theater. Nick has been improvising with local comedy troupe Improv Jam for over 16 years, graduated Upright Citizens Brigade’s Improv Program (including Advanced Study), and met Dakota and Elle while performing improv with ComedySportz.
Nick graduated from The School of Visual Arts in NYC, and likes to use graphic design skills for good when possible.While attending art school he was hired as Technical Director of his school’s radio station, and had been dealing with SO MANY cables ever since.
When not at JSAC Nick can likely be found designing for retail stores while surrounded by wildlife (still on the horse farm), attempting to become a “pro gamer”, or staring at a table at the flea market.
JENNIFER CARLISLE
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Jennifer Carlisle (she/her) is a writer, actor and improviser. She has earned degrees in the arts, sciences and medicine ranging from a minor to a Doctorate and continues to use them all. When she was twelve years old, her piano teacher called her a “jack of all trades”. Jen took it as a compliment.
Not long ago, Jen was working as a voice actor and lost her position to an AI-generated voice. It was this experience which drove Jen to pursue live performance as a means of storytelling. She believes shared experiences created when people come together through theater is truly magical.
Jen is excited to be working with October Ensemble to create joy and a shared feeling of community by bringing stories to life through immersive performance. She is an
experienced writer, actor and performer and although she values a good drama, she generally finds comedy to be funnier.
Jen is a sports, nature and outdoor enthusiast. If she’s not at the Jersey Shore Arts Center, you will likely find her on the tennis court, running a race, wrangling her hound
dog or getting lost in the woods.
BRANDON GULYA
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Brandon Gulya (he/him) has been acting and writing for stage since he was in high school, having first worked with the JP Stevens theater company. At Rutgers, he joined The Livingston Theater Company and was a founding member of resident long form improv comedy group, Quaint Little Coffee Shop, at the Cabaret Theater in New Brunswick.
After not graduating college, Brandon performed and wrote for several companies in New York and New Jersey. He was a producer/actor/writer for the sketch comedy group, Whale Thief, which ran a monthly show called Sketch Cram where they created a full length sketch show in one day and made a bunch of videos for the internet. He appeared in an episode of Broad City on Comedy Central and was writer/actor for a Food Network comedy show “Fodder.” He also had two one-man shows and directed theater and comedy shows and played “Guy Who Likes Cream But Not Too Much Cream” on The Chris Gethard Show. Brandon has also written articles for the website Funny Or Die.
After taking a long break, Brandon started working with October Ensemble in January 2024, acting in their first production The Sweetest Crime and many other shows since then. He co-wrote the hit murder mystery, Murder, Magic and Mead, with Elle River. He is excited to keep making weird art with October Ensemble as Associate Producer.
Brandon works in restaurants, has two cats, 4 niece/nephews that he loves, and he is so grateful for his family and friends. You do also not want to play him in Monopoly.
LEX GOYDEN
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Lex Goyden (they/she) has been a performer for as long as they could remember. Starting with basement musicals and childhood cabarets, Lex’s love for theatre grew into a lifelong passion for storytelling through the arts. For Lex, theatre has always been a space to push boundaries, spark imagination, and celebrate authentic expression.
A proud graduate of Rider University, Lex holds a B.A. in Acting and Communications and has received extensive training in a wide range of dance styles and techniques. They began choreographing at sixteen and stepped into the professional world just two years later. With October Ensemble, Lex has brought their creative vision to productions such as Into the Woods: An Immersive Experience, Trail to Oregon and Twisted. Performance credits also include A Chorus Line, The New Jersey Renaissance Faire and The Lightning Thief. As a dancer, actor and choreographer, Lex is passionate about storytelling through movement and they strive to keep pushing the boundaries of their art with October Ensemble.
Lex is endlessly grateful to Dakota and Elle for the opportunity to create art that truly feeds the soul. When not performing, you can find Lex teaching dance to their wonderful students, slaying in cosplay or spending quality time with friends and family.
MELINDA REILLY
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Melinda Reilly (she/her) is the owner and lead performer of Princess Party Playtime.She has organized and led large-scale events at almost every country club in the state, has made multiple TV appearances, and has performed at thousands upon thousands of birthday parties (no literally, that’s not an exaggeration).
Besides being a princess, and a former Disney Cast Member, Melinda has an extensive background in theatre. Some of her favorite roles over the years have included Maureen in RENT, Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice, The Witch in Big Fish, and Laurey in Oklahoma.
Melinda is excited to be an Associate Producer and can’t wait to bring her years of event planning experience to October Ensemble.
