PUPPET BUILDER, PUPPET DIRECTOR

Brendan Malafronte

Malafronte is the creative force behind The Dusty & Dott Company. Malafronte toured internationally with John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean. He has puppeteered for Disney Cruise Line, Nickelodeon, & PBS. As a designer and builder, Brendan received his initial training at The Puppet Kitchen.

He co-founded The Dusty & Dott Company, creating PBS’s Reading Buddies, which received 3 New York State Emmy nominations and has worked as a builder for The Jim Henson Company. @malafrontesmonstershop.

DIRECTOR & PRODUCER

Andrea Dotto

Dotto is the President & strategic mind behind The Dusty & Dott Company. She is the Company’s editor, producer & showrunner. Dotto has performed on Broadway, where she was nominated for a Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Ensemble Dancer in a Broadway Show. Her television and film performances include Good Morning America, the 71st Annual Tony Awards, and the Fathom Event’s film of Bandstand.

When she is not on stage, she is teaching the next generation of performers how to find and own their authentic voice.

@itsandreadotto

WRITER

Layne Kunce

Layne has performed around the nation as a professional dancer for a decade, appearing in corporate events, theme parks, concerts, and regional theaters. He now works in Physical Therapy, helping older adults in independent living communities stay active and maintain their quality of life.

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Through both dance and physiotherapy, Layne has developed a deep appreciation for the stories people tell through their bodies and their lives. His work highlights the powerful connection between physical and emotional health, and how pain can shape a person’s outlook and relationships. These experiences closely parallel the themes of transformation, resilience, and connection explored in the show– reminding us that while pain is part of being human, healing becomes possible when we accept help and support one another.