Jazmyn Arroyo | Co-Founding Artistic Director

Jazmyn is a producer, theatre administrator, and the occasional actor from NJ whose passion is utilizing theatre to uplift artists who have experienced marginalization along their journeys. She has gained experience through working with organizations like Planet Connections and New York Innovative Theater Foundation, and volunteering with community-led collectives like the New York City Theater Standards and Indie Theaters Dismantling Supremacy. Using the knowledge she has gained from her 10+ years of experience, Jazmyn hopes to use Step1 as collaborative space that embraces all artists experiencing marginalization and divests from all systems of oppression. She is thankful for the staff at Passaic County Community College (AA) in Paterson, NJ and Rutgers-NJIT (BA) in Newark, NJ for nurturing her passion in Theatre.

Email: jazmyn@s1tp.org

Janelle Zapata Castellano | Co-Founding Artistic Director

Janelle Zapata Castellano is a Producer, Director, and Arts Administrator. She is the Co-Artistic Director of Step1 Theatre Project. Her work has been seen at Rutgers-NJIT, the Kraine, and Joe's Pub. Boriqua af, she actively works towards creating a theatrical landscape that is culturally competent, consent forward, and trauma informed. Talk to her about how to implement these concepts into your artistic practice!

Email: janelle@s1tp.org

Benjamin Ernest-Abraham | Artistic Development Director

Ben is a director living and working in NYC. He studied Global Studies & Economics at Loyola University Maryland and then began working in the finance industry. Despite all of this, he spends most of his hours making theatre, supporting other artists, and dreaming of the next big thing. Believe it or not, Ben encountered Step1 because of a double-tap on Instagram! Inspired by the company's mission he met Jazmyn & Janelle. The rest, we can say, is history. Ben deeply believes in Step1's mission of #ArtistsSupportingArtists; after all, theatre is a team sport.

Email: benjamin@s1tp.org

Ashley Rogers | Literary Manager

Ashley Lauren Rogers, award winning writer and trans rights activist. Recently a Trans Theatre Lab fellow 2019, the Literary Director for Step1 Theatre Project, artist in residence at Middlesex County Vocational Technical School 2018-2019. Works performed at Dixon Place, MITF, the Brick, Joe’s Pub and others. “Becky’s Christmas Wish,” was a finalist for the City Theatre National Short Play Award, Miami, work has been produced in Wisconsin, Cincinatti, Maine, Iowa, New Jersey, Detroit, and Minneapolis. Featured on Fusion TV’s Peabody Award Nominated Sex.Right.Now, panels for Revry.TV. Creator Is It Transphobic and The Right to Play Podcasts.

Email: ashley@s1tp.org

Eric Campos | Social Media Dir. & Asst. Artistic Development Dir.

A queer Colorican, Colombian and Puerto rican, future icon who is ecstatic to be a part of the Step1 family. Theater and acting have been a long time passion since graduating from Rutgers Newark University with a theater degree, so to be a part of step1 is a huge honor. Other interests are Marvel comics and media, Music, wrestling, sexual liberation and education, the dismantling of oppression and old ideals that don’t work anymore.

Email: eric@s1tp.org