Team & Advisory Board
Jeffrey is an experienced applied theatre scholar with 30+ years in theatre and drama. He served as a research assistant professor at the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida for nine years, teaching applied theater and directing health-related theater and film projects. His research focuses on using arts, especially theatre and video, to investigate community health issues and promote public engagement and critical dialogue on health. Jeffrey holds degrees from the University of Victoria, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and McGill University, and has extensive training with the SITI Company and Antonina Garcia in Psychodrama & Sociodrama.
He has led notable projects globally, receiving accolades as an award-winning educator and practitioner. In 2020, he secured a US Department of State grant to develop a play in Mumbai addressing LGBTQ+ identity and stigma. Jeffrey collaborated with leading practitioners to create a play that fostered a positive understanding of LGBTQ+ identity in Indian audiences, publishing his research on theater's impact on LGBTQ+ solidarity.
Jeffrey founded Theatre Connect, providing a destigmatized space for LGBTQIA+ teens to develop life skills through theatre. He now resides in Philadelphia.
Jefferey Pufal, MFA (he/him)
Founder & Director Emeritus
Camilo Reina Munoz is a Latino social entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in arts and health. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Theatre Connect. He also is co-founder and co-CEO of Mutual Space, a consulting firm for socially conscious start-ups and non-profits. Since Theatre Connect’s inception in 2017, Camilo has co-directed and co-facilitated applied theatre programs for over 150 LGBTQIA+ youth and community members. He holds a Master of Arts in Arts in Medicine from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management from Santa Fe College.
In 2023, Camilo secured first place, on behalf of Theatre Connect, in the "Innovation in Arts in Health" category of the Cam Busch Awards from the National Organization for Arts in Health. He has published his work in two academic journals, and presented at both national and international conferences.
Trained in applied and improvisational theater, by the likes of Second City Chicago, Rise to Heal, and Dr. Antonina Garcia, Camilo has been involved in improv since middle school. It served as an early platform for him to explore his identity, particularly as a gay man.
Through partnerships with the Hippodrome, Gainesville Community Counseling Center, and the Progressive Collective (which includes the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, Unspoken Treasure Society, and Camp Silver) he hopes this program will continue to serve many generations to come.
Camilo Reina Munoz, MA (he/him)
Executive Director
Cai Husband (they/them)
Lead Peer Mentor
& Graphic Designer
Cai has been a member of Theatre Connect since 2017. Back then, they were a kid who just wanted to connect with others, and since their school didn’t offer extracurricular activities like theatre, they decided this would be a great opportunity. Since then, they have graduated from the program after attending most of the seasons, and they were then invited to join the staff team as a Peer-Mentor. Currently, they hold the position of Lead Peer-Mentor and also work part-time as a Graphic Designer for TC. They say It’s the greatest job that they could ever ask for.
Joseph ‘Joe’ Fuhrmeister (he/him)
Stage Counselor
Joseph Fuhrmeister (He/Him) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor serving as stage counselor for Theatre Connect. He specializes in helping individuals with post-traumatic stress, complex trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, relationship difficulties, phase-of-life transitions, and anger management. Joseph's professional background includes providing outpatient therapy in community agency settings for individuals, couples, and groups with diverse mental health and social concerns. He has extensive experience working with clients navigating the legal system, child protective services, domestic violence, homelessness, and other community stressors.
Joseph earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2017 and a Master of Arts in Counselor Education from the University of Central Florida in 2021, where he was a member of Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society in Counseling. He is now a full-time therapist in Gainesville and actively supports Theatre Connect. A passionate gardener and plant enthusiast, Joseph also loves music, has extensive experience in the performing arts, and is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Dr. Cindi Gayle PhD (she/her)
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Cindi Gayle is a former Assistant Professor from the University of Florida's Department of Psychiatry who enthusiastically launched her own venture. Dr. Gayle is now the owner/director of The Florida OCD Autism and Anxiety Treatment Center (www.floaatcenter.com). She specializes in evaluating and treating Autism Spectrum Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tics/Tourette's and related disorders. She is passionate about providing inclusive and empowering care for people of all identities and backgrounds. She has been involved with Theatre Connect since its inception and is so excited to continue her partnership.
Aura Cleveland (she/her)
Creative Facilitator
Aura is an expressive arts facilitator and holistic mental health educator passionate about fostering wellness and connection through mindfulness and creative expression. As our Community Engagement Artist, she creates a soothing space and supportive community for nourishment, inspiration, and playful transformation to promote living fully with empowerment and purpose.
She guides others to access their creative expression, embodiment, emotional integration, and nervous system regulation through dance/movement, music, vocals, soundscapes, sculpture, painting, poetry, and performance art. As a multimedia artist and performer who has learned to thrive with neurodivergence and chronic illness through mindfulness and expressive arts, she is particularly dedicated to sharing tools and support for those living with neurodivergence and chronic illness to thrive amidst challenges.
Anyaliese D. Hancock-Smith, PhD (she/her)
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Anyaliese Hancock-Smith is a licensed clinical and National Register Health Service psychologist who specializes in pediatric and child/adolescent psychology. She founded and currently operates her own psychology private practice, Hancock-Smith Pediatric & Behavioral Health, LLC in Alachua, Florida. Dr. Hancock-Smith worked at the University of Florida for several years prior to starting private practice. Her tenure at the university included co-founding the UF Health Youth Gender Program and participating in the Theater Connect program. Dr. Hancock-Smith is dedicated to serving her community via private practice on a full-time basis. She is honored to take part in the essential work done through Theater Connect as an advisory board member.
Alexandra Rodriguez , MPH (she/her)
Researcher
Chosen to represent “Discovery & Innovation,” one of six core values at the University of Florida (UF) in 2022, Alex Rodriguez, MPH, values and practices research at the intersection of arts and public health. As a current Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholar and Public Health PhD student in the Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration, Alex primarily pursues research with UF Center for Arts in Medicine’s Interdisciplinary Lab. Alex has previously developed and led a grant funded, mural-based vaccine confidence project which was selected for a Cam Busch Award (Honorable Mention) by the National Organization of Arts in Health. Further, she has had the opportunity to contribute to arts in public health research such as CDC field guides on how to utilize the arts to promote vaccine confidence as well as the Oxford Bibliography for the field of Arts in Health. Alongside her continued research at the University of Florida, Alex is working with One Nation/One Project — a national arts and health project across 18 cities in the United States — as a National Research and Impact Associate. Additionally, Alex developed a UF Honors course titled Leveraging the Arts to Promote Public Health which is currently being offered as an honors course at UF.