The History of PB&J Theatre Factory

The foundation for PB&J Theatre Factory was formed in 2004, when co-creators Brandon Roberts and Meggin Stailey met as actors in Orlando, Florida’s professional theatre scene. After working together in several productions, the two developed a strong friendship on and off the stage. Sharing similar beliefs in the power and possibilities of theatrical storytelling, Roberts and Stailey decided to establish their own theatre company.

They launched Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble, which produced a handful of shows over a period of two years at the Studio Theatre in downtown Orlando, including Brilliant Traces and The Fantasticks.

In the spring of 2006, everything changed. Ghostlight’s silent physical comedy show, Sport, took the Orlando International Fringe Festival by storm.

The wild success of Sport gave the company a new focus. Ghostlight reorganized with new company members Mike Gill and Patrick Braillard, and a new name, PB&J Theatre Brewery.

Sport 2

Sport: Rematch followed its predecessor at 2007's Orlando Fringe. The show featured some new scenes, a few new characters, and welcomed a new face, company member
Jason Horne.

While producing a third installment of Sport in 2008, PB&J dropped its Brewery surname and adopted an alternative, giving birth to PB&J Theatre Factory.

2008’s production of Sport brought in company members Mark Koenig and Becky Eck, and gave PB&J a new home; The Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, Florida.

PB&J grew yet again in 2009 with an all-new artistic endeavor: writing and producing its first completely original show.

Snack premiered in January of 2009 at the Garden Theatre to rave reviews, opening the door for more original PB&J creations.

PB&J Theatre Factory presently consists of nine members: Brandon Roberts, Meggin Stailey, Pat Braillard, Mike Gill, Jason Horne, Mark Koenig, and Becky Eck, as well as Colin Peterson and Megan Engstrom who both joined in 2009. In addition to its core group, PB&J has included guest artists in all of its productions since 2007 and continues to do so, welcoming new energy and artistic input.