November 8, 2025
Meet The Brainstormers: Naomi, Ferguson and Willa – a Space City trio bound by their love of all things SCIENCE! In this brand-new action-packed play, the mission crew takes on their biggest challenge yet: a group project. When ideas collide, these young thinkers must work together to solve their cosmic dilemma. Boosting STEM TEKS and executive functioning skills, this adventure is as thrilling as it is educational.
Alley Theatre supports educators with an interactive study guide filled with TEKS-aligned activities that extend the learning experience to reinforce critical thinking, collaboration, and curiosity.
Recommended for ages 5 to 12.
The performance is approximately 1 hour long with no intermission.
Go beyond the stage with Alley Resourced for deeper insight into the world of the play — designed for classroom teachers but enriching for all.
This performance of The Brainstormers & Their Cosmic Mission is designed to support a comfortable experience for audience members with sensory sensitivities, autism, ADHD, anxiety, or anyone who benefits from a flexible environment.
During the show, you can expect:
• The house lights to stay on.
• No strobe or flashing lighting effects.
• Some louder sounds, such as thunder and school bells. Headphones are recommended for those with auditory sensitivity, and earplugs are available upon request.
• To be free to move, make noise, or step out of the theatre as needed.
• A relaxed area in the lobby with quiet, low-stimulation activities, such as coloring, for anyone who wants a short break.
Please note, the show includes optional moments of audience participation and call and response. Everyone is invited to join in or simply enjoy listening – whatever feels right for you.
Sydney Deone Cooper
Willa
Willa
Sydney Deone Cooper made her Houston theatrical debut with The Ensemble Theatre in FLEX as Donna Cunningham. A graduate of the Texas State University BFA Acting Program, her favorite educational credits include Antigone (Antigone), Three Sisters (Olga), and a devised production titled DeMaskUs aka Running (CC). Most recently, Sydney spent the fall as a company member in the Texas Shakespeare Festival’s Roadshow Tour, playing roles in Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits (Helena/Celia) and Hamlet (Horatio/Rosencrantz/Player Queen). Website: syddeone.com IG: @syd.deone Rep: Acclaim Talent
Mayra Monsivais
Naomi
Naomi
Mayra Monsivais is a local Houston Actor. She studied acting at the University of Houston. Credits include, Stories of Us (TEATRX), Oskar vs. Thingamabob Tour (Alley Theatre), Oskar and the Last Straw Tour ( Alley Theatre), Inner View (Sin Muros: A Latinx Theater Festival. Stages), Sonia Flew (TEATRX), El Huracán (Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company). Oskars Not So Simple Comeback Tour (Alley Theatre), La Vida Es Cortos/Life Is Shorts (TEATRX), O: A Rhapsody In Divorce! ( Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company). She also Directed Cafe Deluxeee (TEATRX). Mayra is also a working actor in TV and film, including commercials, TV roles, and music videos. She has also been a Teaching Artist for Alley Theatre since 2019.
Gabriel Mullen
Ferguson
Ferguson
Gabriel Mullen AD Players at the George Theater: The Foreigner (Ellard), The Garden Theater: Assassins (John Wilkes Booth) AD Players at the George Theater: Fiddler on the Roof (Fyedka), Stages: Othello the Remix (Iago/GQ), AD Players at Carolina Creek: It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (Male Swing) BFA: Sam Houston State University.
Chaney Tullos
Director
Director
Chaney Tullos serves as Alley’s Director of Education Programs. Previously, he served as Associate Artistic Director of The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival and was an adjunct faculty member at Tulane University where he taught courses in Acting, Shakespeare, and Stage Management. He has taken shows and programming into countless schools, community centers, and prisons. He holds an MFA in Acting from LSU and is a member of Actors’ Equity and SAG-AFTRA. www.chaneytullos.com
Elizabeth Keel
Playwright
Playwright
Elizabeth A. M. Keel is a Houstonian playwright, actor, director, producer and theatermaker. Her writing celebrates science fiction, fantasy, mythology, and magical realism on stage. Her scripts have been read or produced at 14 Pews, Bootown, Cone Man Running, Flexible Grey, Fresh Produce’d (NYC), The Growing Stage: Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, Haven Arts Theatre, Houston Contemporary Dance Company, Landing Theatre Company, METdance, Mildred’s Umbrella, Nova Arts Project, Otherworld Theatre Company, Shattered Globe Theatre, Squeaky Bicycle, Stages, The Studio Theatre at Tierra Del Sol, T.E.T.A., This Is Water Theatre, Tokyo International Players, Voxfest, and Wordsmyth, among others. She has been published by Smith & Kraus and Stage Partners, and is an enthusiastic supporter of the New Play Exchange. Elizabeth serves as the Resident Playwright and Literary Manager for Mildred’s Umbrella, and is a proud double alumna of the University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance. She has worked as a teaching artist with many local companies, including Stages’ Young Artists Conservatory, the Alley Theatre’s education department, and Grackle & Grackle. She holds the honor of having served as the first administrator for the Houston Theatre Training Coalition. Upcoming projects may be found at www.elizabethamkeel.com
Curmira A. Bill
Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Curmira A. BillStage management credits include: Main Street Theater for Youth: (Stage Manager) Elephant and Piggie’s “We’re In A Play”, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, Cinderella, Last Stop on Market Street, Dragons Love Tacos, The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, A Little House Christmas; Ensemble Theatre/Alley Theatre: (Stage Manager) Radio Golf (Staged Reading); Ensemble Theatre: (Stage Manager) Pullman Porter Blues, Phenomenal Woman Maya Angelou (Houston Premiere); Lionwoman Productions TX: (Stage Manager) Playhouse Creatures.