Gary Simons is a Connecticut-raised, NYC-based comedian, writer, and actor. He’s known for his inviting narrative style and witty introspective observations. He’s performed and produced all over the country. Gary has been on tour opening for Mike Birbiglia, Roy Wood Jr, Gary Gulman, and Sam Jay. In 2024, he was selected as a Comic to Watch in the New York Comedy Festival. You can see him perform in New York at the World Famous Comedy Cellar. Follow him on Instagram.
Fatima Carranza was born and raised in Red Bank and has spent over 10 years working in the community she loves. She currently serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Borough of Red Bank. Her side hustles include part-time retail and pet sitting. When she’s not watching someone else’s dog, she’s a proud dog mom to a toy poodle named Cici. She enjoys spending time with friends, trying new foods, being outdoors, and watching reality TV. You can find her on Instagram.
Dennis Chambers is the Associate Artistic Director at Two River Theater. Prior to that, he was the Associate Producer at GFI Productions (Paul Blake & Mike Bosner) where he worked on Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Broadway, US Tour, UK Tour, Japan, Australia), Sunset Boulevard (2017 Broadway Revival at the Palace Theatre starring Glenn Close), and Roman Holiday (San Francisco). Dennis was Two River’s inaugural Artistic Assistant, where he served as the theater’s first Resident Assistant Director, working alongside directors such as Jessica Stone, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Stephen Brackett, Michael Cumpsty, and Brandon Dirden. Born-and-raised in Red Bank/Monmouth County, Chambers is a proud alumnus of Red Bank Regional High School and is a graduate of Ithaca College.
Catherine Ferguson and Christy Sunquist are friends and neighbors in Red Bank and the co-producers of live storytelling event Generation Women NJ. Many of their ideas begin on long walks around town spent verbally processing life—an activity responsible for both excellent ideas and the occasional embarrassing one. You can find them on Instagram—Cat, Christy, Generation Women.
Jeremy Grunin is actively engaged throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties, in both his career and personal life. In 2013, Jeremy joined his father, Jay, and late mother, Linda, to become the President of the Grunin Foundation, a relational grantmaker focused on providing holistic support through funding, capacity building, and coalition building to organizations who have a shared vision of an equitable, just, and vibrant Central Jersey Shore.
Additionally, Jeremy is a Partner of Grunin Holdings, LLC., a New Jersey Partnership specializing in investing in third-party commercial ventures. Prior to that, Jeremy was a leader in the private sector for over 15 years, where he led teams of over a thousand employees responsible for over $500 million in revenue.
A dynamic leader, Jeremy is passionate about making a positive impact and fostering innovation and collaboration in the community. He serves in executive positions on multiple nonprofit boards in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, along with various statewide organizations. You can find him on LinkedIn.
Shani Love is a proud Jersey girl who doesn’t take herself too seriously, except when it comes to her work and the people she serves. As a Program Manager at Lunch Break, she leads health, wellness, and community initiatives centered on dignity, connection, and meaningful support. She is passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered.
New to sharing her writing publicly, Shani is leaning into storytelling as another way to explore growth, vulnerability, and the beautifully awkward moments we sometimes look back on and lovingly call “cringe.” She is honored to participate in CringeFest, proving that growth often starts with a little discomfort and a good sense of humor.