Erik Gaden is a multi-disciplined fight director, makeup artist, and actor based in the New York/New Jersey area. As one of the co-founders of Cause and FX, he combines over a decade of experience in stage combat, theatrical makeup, and performance to inspire and educate aspiring artists.

A graduate of Centenary University with a B.A. in Theatre Arts (Acting concentration), Erik has performed in a variety of productions across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Since 2012, he has partnered with Stephen Davis on numerous stage combat and makeup projects, earning a reputation as a skilled and innovative artist.

Erik has served as the resident fight director for interACT Productions and collaborated with Morrow Theater Camp in Maplewood, NJ, as a Fight Choreographer and Makeup Designer. His contributions extend to educational theater programs at esteemed institutions, including Briarcliff High School, High Tech High School, Summit High School, Ridge High School, Kent Place School, Kittatinny Regional

School, Holmdel High School, Green Hills School, Wharton Arts, and Centenary Stage Company’s Young Performers Workshop series.

Notable credits include working with the Virginia Opera Company as fight director for La Fanciulla del West and Don Giovanni, and serving as resident Fight Director and Makeup Artist at Alliance Repertory Theater. Beyond theater, Erik is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, specializing in Behavior Change, reflecting his commitment to empowering individuals both on

and off the stage. Erik is also a dedicated student of mixed martial arts, studying under USMAA Grandmaster Jeffrey Serdinsky.

Erik’s passion for theater education drives his mission to make the arts accessible to all. Through Cause and FX, he delights in sharing his expertise, equipping students and professionals alike with unique skills to elevate their craft.

Sarah graduated in 2016 with a B.A. in Theatre Arts with a Concentration in Dance and a B.S. in Biology.  Sarah started teaching at Warren County Technical School in 2017 as the Theatre Advisor/Drama Teacher, in charge of producing the spring musical, including directing, choreographing, costume designing/coordinating, managing the box office, fundraising, lighting and sound designing, carpentry, makeup artistry and designing, and everything in between.  She became Zumba certified in December of 2017, and went on to get several other Zumba certifications since initially becoming an instructor.  In 2018, she became certified as a Rock Steady Boxing Coach, designed for people with Parkinson’s Disease to fight back on the degeneration of the disease.  Then in March of 2020, Sarah completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Glow Yoga in Bedminster, NJ with Erin and Carl Klemme.  Sarah teaches Zumba and Yoga at various studios, as well as dance and flexibility classes.  She has taught many workshops in stage combat, including the PAWS Theatre and Dance Intensive at SUNY Purchase, and workshops in both stage combat and trauma/zombie makeup at the Warren County Teen Arts Festival.