blueprint
series A
Questions? Email us at events@windmillarts.org
Mop Of Angels
Is it a stage in a small theater? Or a janitor’s closet? And who is Spencer Ulrich? An aging movie star or a custodian with a vivid imagination and lofty aspirations?
J.B. Heaps
FILMMAKER
J.B. Heaps was an Executive Producer at Showtime Sports where is programs about the sport of boxing won numerous awards including five National Sports Emmys. Now retired, he is happily ensconced in New York writing plays and movies and has been the winner of numerous writing contests here and in Europe.
Mr. Whiskers
What happened to Mr. Whiskers?
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James C. Ferguson
PLAYWRIGHT
Born in Rhode Island, James returned to New England after working in Los Angeles for a good number of years on numerous television and film projects. Currently, he spends much of his creative energy writing plays, which have been produced throughout the United States and internationally. (If you’re curious about such things, many of his works can be found on The New Play Exchange [NPX], where the reader can leave comments on the pieces they enjoy.
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Edi Tingle
DIRECTOR
Edi Tingle is a cartoon character dropped into the 3D world dealing with the trials and tribulations of being a person. They are an internationally trained artist and performer who is so excited to bring this piece to life.
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Kenzie Rowland
ACTOR
Kenzie Rowland is a comedic actress known for her sharp wit and dynamic presence across stage and screen. She produces, hosts, and stars in Ladylike, an all-female variety show she founded in 2015. She co-wrote and stars in Margot and Woolly, a comedic web series about mental health. A mental health advocate, she hosts the podcast Therapy Would Be Cheaper, which led to her 2022 TEDx talk. Trained in improv, screen, and stage acting, she brings versatility and authenticity to every role.
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Matthew Suwalski
ACTOR
Matthew Suwalski is an Atlanta-based actor and filmmaker. His most recent works: "Ghost Therapist," "Falcon Man," and "DeAngelo" have been featured in comedy film festivals across Georgia. He currently works as a film editor on television commercials. His cat is currently sleeping on his windowsill.
The Apple
Four strangers and an apple appear in a dark void. Why are they there? And what kind of apple is that?
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Matthew Pope
PLAYWRIGHT
Matthew is an amateur playwright with (now) two produced shows! He resides in the Pacific Northwest soon to be with his pet snake, performing, stage managing, and writing his days away. He is excited to be a part of Blueprint and for everyone to experience his show! He has too many people to thank for this opportunity than can fit but wants to extend a special thank you to the audience for living his story.
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Melissa Simmons
DIRECTOR
Melissa Simmons (she/they) is an Atlanta-based playwright, director, and producer. She is the founder of MerryCat Productions, an experimental theater company dedicated to immersive, movement-driven storytelling. Her recent one-act plays include Three White Women Playing Pickleball, featured in Working Title Playwrights’ Ghost Light Play Development Lab, and Witch Cake, the highest-selling show at the 2025 Atlanta Fringe Festival.
By day, Melissa works as a Production Manager at Out of Hand Theater, an Atlanta nonprofit operating at the intersection of art, social justice, and civic engagement. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in New Play Development from Hollins University.
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Ciara Caffey
ACTOR
Growing up in Marietta, GA, Ciara Caffey is now an Atlanta based actress of both the stage and screen. You can find her around town performing with her improv troupe, Direct Depozit, or supporting Out of Hand Theater’s Equitable Dinners. Recent credits include The Resident (FOX), The Six Triple Eight (NETFLIX), and the upcoming indie film, Patient. She has her B.A. in Theatre from Northwestern University.
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Juliet Yi Rou DeVette
ACTOR
Juliet DeVette is a Taiwanese and American actor, musician, and filmmaker. She is an alumna of the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts and the Robert Mello / Atlanta Conservatory Program. She is a current member of the Dad's Garage Conservatory in Atlanta. Her most recent professional theatrical role involved playing five instruments in Ring of Fire: A Johnny Cash Musical, at the Georgia Ensemble Theatre. She was raised in Malaysia and speaks Mandarin and Japanese.
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Irene Polk
ACTOR
Irene Polk [she/her] is thrilled to join the cast of The Apple! Her favorite credits include Fires, Ohio (Alliance Theatre), Immediate Family (Out Front Theatre), and The Wiz (Aurora Theatre). She has also been seen on other stages across Atlanta, including Synchronicity Theatre, Horizon Theatre, Stage Door Theatre, and The Strand Theatre. Irene is a board member at Dad’s Garage, and an ensemble member at Working Title Playwrights.
The Last Shine
A chance encounter on the Staten Island Ferry brings together an aging shoeshiner and a frantic young professional racing toward an interview he may not even want. As polish meets worn sneakers, time slows just long enough for both men to confront regret, dignity, and the cost of always running. The Last Shine is a sharp, funny, and quietly powerful meditation on what it means to pause before life passes you by.
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Brian S Brijbag, Esq.
PLAYWRIGHT
Brian S. Brijbag, Esq., is a Florida-based playwright, author, and attorney whose work blends sharp wit with emotional depth. His plays have been produced and honored at festivals across the world, including recent award-winning productions. A recipient of The Verna Safran Prize and multiple Broadway World Tampa awards, Brian’s writing explores time, identity, and human connection with humor and heart. He is also the founder of the Brijbag Family Foundation and the author of several books spanning fiction, poetry, and legal commentary.
Instagram: @brianbrijbag, Facebook: Brian Brijbag, TikTok: @brianbrijbag, Youtube: @BrianBrijbag
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J. Allen-Reeves
DIRECTOR
5 years in the film, tv and theatre industry. One lead role in a feature film and 2 other small roles in feature films. 1st time theatre play director. Directed some short films that are in post production. Active script writer for film. Also freelance in the corporate AV and live entertainment industries, doing lighting, LED video and camera work.
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Roy C Roberts
ACTOR
Old Fart with a fondness for acting. Represented by Carol Shaginaw Talent Agency.
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Tyonté Williams
ACTOR
Tyonté Williams is an Atlanta-based actor, director, educator, and multidisciplinary artist with a B.A. in Theater and Performance from Morehouse College and a minor in Music. His performance credits include Seven Spools of Thread, What About Jesus?, and appearances at the Valdez Theatre Conference. Tyonté has also written and directed original works, including Beyond The Mask. A passionate arts educator, he currently teaches theater and performing arts while continuing to create work rooted in storytelling, culture, and transformative expression.
The Senior Discount
When an angry and depressed shopper is offered a senior discount, the result is very unexpected.
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Lou Clyde
PLAYWRIGHT
Lou Clyde is a playwright living in South Carolina. Her award-winning comedy Pouf! was staged in New York City as part of the 2021 She NYC Arts New Play Festival and is published by Concord Theatricals. Lou is the Playwright in Residence at Chapin Theatre Company. She loves comedy and her humor has been influenced by the works of Erma Bombeck, David Sedaris, and Tina Fey. She is obsessed with Schitt's Creek (and is mourning the death of Catherine O'Hara). Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., Lou is card-holding member of Bills Mafia. @lou_clyde_playwright
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Hailey Miller
DIRECTOR
Hailey is overjoyed to be directing in Blueprint this year! Recent directing credits include Oklahoma! (Holy Cross Miracle Productions), Sister Act Jr., Because the House was A Circle (Baylor University), and Finding Nemo Kids (Forefront Arts). Hailey would like to thank her village for their constant support. Proud alum of Baylor University.
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Jamie Martin
ACTOR
Jamie Martin is thrilled to be part of Senior Discount, especially collaborating again with a familiar director and longtime friend. Jamie enjoys bringing stories to life on stage and screen. Her favorite past roles include Laurey Williams in Oklahoma, Katherine Plumber in Newsies, and Mrs. Peacock in Clue. Jamie is grateful for every opportunity to create meaningful work and share it with an audience. Thank you for supporting blueprint and new works!
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Sarah Mason
ACTOR
Sarah Mason has been acting in Atlanta for over 30 years and has appeared in productions with Stage Door Players, Cobb Playhouse, Kudzu Playhouse, Galaxy Productions, Onstage Atlanta, Main Street Theater in Tucker and the Theater Ministries Productions at Holy Cross Church and Saint Thomas More Church. Some of her favorite roles have been Reno Sweeny in Anything Goes, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, Mae Peterson in Bye, Bye Birdie, Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Widow Corney in Oliver and Lady Riverdale in Death by Chocolate.
Meet the Directors
Jonna Leanne >> Festival Director
Jonna Leanne is the Artistic Director and creator of blueprint. After returning to Atlanta seven years ago, she immersed herself in professional TV/Film acting and began her improv journey. She fell in love with the festival world while volunteering at the Toronto International Film Festival and has a deep connection to Windmill Arts, where she stage-managed Closer the Play and worked with Sam. It was fate when she brought the idea of a shorts festival to engage local directors and actors to Sam 3 years later. Fast forward to present day, where together they read over 800+ play and film submissions and made the impossible decision of choosing 10 for the 2026 festival. It truly is a dream to watch blueprint thrive in its second year, and we can't wait to see it continue to grow!
Jonna is a graduate of the Second City Training Center’s Toronto Conservatory Program and holds a Master’s in Education with an emphasis in Professional Counseling from the University of West Georgia. Jonna will graduate in May 2026 with a MS in international business from Georgia State University. With a passion for production management, problem-solving, and creating memorable experiences, she thrives on bringing ideas to life — whether through festivals, film, or travel.
Sam R Ross >> Windmill Arts Production, Executive Director
A member of both Actors' Equity Association and Screen Actor's Guild, Sam has over fifty years of experience in theatre including Off Broadway, Regional Theaters and other professional theaters from New York to Los Angeles. Sam has been seen in over 110 productions including many world and regional premieres. Sam has also appeared in over a dozen film and TV shows. As a playwright his adaptations and co-adaptations with VanguardRep have been seen across the country. Sam is also an award-winning director and lighting designer of over .
As an artistic director, Sam has been integral in the foundation of multiple successful companies including Down Right Theatre in Atlanta, GA, Kudzu Productions and Vanguard Repertory Company - both in Los Angeles, CA. He is the founder and Executive Director of Windmill Arts.
Sam has a B.S. from the college of Charleston and an M.P.A. from Georgia State University and has done graduate work in acting at the prestigious Trinity Repertory Conservatory in Rhode Island.
photo by Emily Lambert Photography