Who We Are.

Who We Are.

Meet and learn more about the founders and leadership of Verrazzano Media NYC!

General Manager | Founder

Quran Fugate

Quran Fugate is the general manager and founder of Verrazzano Media NYC. Fugate started the organization with the Christmas charity show Holidays of Hope, and has further and currently manages acts such as Pretty in Sync, Faded Flannel, Staten Night Fever, and many others. He is also the producer of VZ Media theatrical productions including Downtown and The Understudy. His spirit and fire to revitalize Staten Island performing arts is the driving force behind Verrazzano Media NYC.

Head of VZ Theatre | Music Director | Composer | Lyricist

Gavin Matthias

Gavin Matthias is a NYC based performer, composer/lyricist, music director, and arranger. He attended Curtis High School on Staten Island and Fordham University. His original musicals “Downtown” and “The Understudy” have been produced by VZ Media in the last year. As head of VZ’s theatre division, he strives for top-notch and creative theatre to be the norm on Staten Island and beyond.

Head of Recruitment and Scouting | Director

Matthew Ochoa

Matthew Ochoa is a NYC based director, actor, and current Senior at St. Peter’s Boys High School in the Signum Fidei Scholars Academy. Ochoa has directed a number of successful and exciting cabarets, such as Replay ‘24: This Years Greatest Hits, The Sweet 16 and Killing Her Softly: An Interactive Murder Trial at The Green Room 42 and Verrazzano Idol:70s vs 80s at Don’t Tell Mama . He is known for his untraditional and competitive cabaret shows in recent months. He has been seen in a vast amount of high school productions including Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd) at St. Peter’s Boys High School, A Message From Beyond (Doyle Campbell) at The Family Repertory Company and Carl Hanratty (Catch Me If You Can) at ImpACT Theatre. As head of recruitment and scouting, he seeks only the best talent for Verrazzano Media NYC.


Choreographer

Nick DePalma

Nick DePalma is a NYC based choreographer, actor, dancer, and current sophomore at The College of Staten Island where he is majoring in drama. Nick has choreographed The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals at Verrazzano Media NYC while also playing Bill. He has been seen in shows in high school and other theatre companies including Charley’s Aunt (Sir Francis Chesney) at Moore Catholic, Something Rotten (Brother Jeremiah) at Moore Catholic, Guys and Dolls (Harry The Horse) at Star Players, Pylades (Electra) at CSI, TGWDLM (Bill), and most recently The Addams Family (Mal Beineke) at Star Players. As choreographer he wants to spread his passion and help people convey the stories they’re performing through movement.

Members of Verrazzano

  • Ella Dreher

  • Deston McFarlane

  • Michael Jara

  • Dylan Stanley

  • Grace Assile

  • Joey Lebron

  • Genesis Alvarenga

  • Rich Gainer

  • Geoffrey Matthias

  • Avamichelina Hodgens

  • Adam Abdelkhalek

  • Nate Krajnak

  • Nadia Anwar

  • Matt Fanizzi

  • Sean Keane

  • Luke Curcio

  • Kayli Blanchard