Contact Us
Stay Connected
Fill out the form for general queries or reach out to an email below!
Directors: Matt, Ricky, and Bailey at Directors@DystopiaRisingNewJersey.com
Owners: Mel, John, and Gerry at
New-Owner@DystopiaRisingNewJersey.com
Marketing/PR: Bethany at
DRNJMarketing@gmail.com
Backstory Submissions: Jenn at
DRNJBackstory@gmail.com
Meet the Team
Check out the team of nerds doing their best to make your weekend at the Pike a memorable one!
Melanie Marra she/her
Inter-Game Logistics
Fun Fact: Mel makes bread, loves hockey, and spreadsheets.
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Melanie first started attending Dystopia Rising in 2016 and has since filled various roles within the community. Although her official responsibilities are to make sure we don’t run out of item cards midway through the event and all the behind-the-scenes sort of logistics are managed (and more), her actual responsibility is to yell at the New Jersey Devils.
Gerry Marra he/him
Community Outreach
Fun Fact: Gerry's worked for five (5) chapters at this point, and cannot escape the matrix.
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Gerry’s been an avid larper since 2012 when he staffed “That Medieval Thing” at his University. Gerry was first introduced to Dystopia Rising in 2014, and began making it his monthly hobby. Today he enjoys dealing with the community, scaring players in the woods, and getting 2 hours of sleep on a game weekend.
John Kornreich he/they
Logistics
Fun Fact: John spends more time in Public Works than actually playing the game.
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John started off LARPing with Darkon in 2007 and eventually found DR through a good friend in 2016. After a few years as a director, he’s now a co-owner of The Pike alongside Melanie and Gerry.
Ricky Wittenburg he/him
Co-Story Director
Fun Fact: Ricky is a scare actor who has worked at various haunts throughout New Jersey since 2016.
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Ricky has been playing the Dystopia Rising LARP since 2020 and has been writing and running TTRPG campaigns, namely the DR: Evolution tabletop, since 2019. He has been a part of the team at DR: The Pike in various roles since 2023. Inspired by his love of music and horror, Ricky works closely with our writing team to shape our terrifying piece of the Wasteland. He’s known for plots such as the KQC cult known as Death Inc., the former scream park known as The Six Wastes and most recently “The Devil In A Suit & Tie” and his psion hunters: The Wardens of the Mind.
Matthew Honchen he/him
Co-Story Director
Fun Fact: Matt threw together and ran Dystopia Rising’s first ever 5-day event after playing for 13 years.
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Melanie first started attending Dystopia Rising in 2016 and has since filled various roles within the community. Although her official responsibilities are to make sure we don’t run out of item cards midway through the event and all the behind-the-scenes sort of logistics are managed (and more), her actual responsibility is to yell at the New Jersey Devils.
Bailey Sheehan she/her
Settings Director
Fun Fact: Bethany’s parents were Carnies, and settled in NY after her eldest sister was born.
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Bailey is thrilled to bring the writers' stories to life and create an immersive town for all to enjoy. If you have questions about genre, costuming, makeup and props, or ways to make the town feel alive, reach out to Bailey! See more of her work at www.baileysheehan.com
Jenn Tharp she/her
Story Lead
Fun Fact: Jenn technically first wrote for Dystopia Rising fifteen years ago, but only started playing in 2019.
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When Jenn joined the team she immediately jumped into the fray feet first. She loves organization and narrative, and is so glad that she gets to help make sure that all the stories the writers want to tell mesh together into one coherent plot. By day, she works at a university supporting thesis and dissertation writers; and by night, she gets to work together with her friends to write about zombies.
Eric Thomas he/him
Ops-Lead
Fun Fact: Eric umpired in a Little League World Series.
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Eric has been LARPing since 2013 with Dystopia Rising, filling several roles over the years. A gamer through and through, he has been playing some form of role-playing game since the mid ‘90s and has been writing stories for his friends in some capacity for the last 30 years.
Bethany Honchen she/they
Public Relations
Fun Fact: Bethany’s parents were Carnies, and settled in NY after her eldest sister was born.
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Bethany has been a part of the LARPing community for 12 years. With over 10 years of experience working in therapeutic settings, she is happy to support the continued growth and health for the players of The Pike and greater Dystopia Rising community.
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Only with prior approval from a director. You can reach out to use here.
With cases of leaving early, you may be asked to do “early clean up” before leaving site.
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Yes, but all cars must be off site by 10 pm BEFORE game starts. Please refer to the parking information provided here.
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Click here for the list of nearby stores and restaurants.
The nearest Walmart: 40 International Dr S, Flanders, NJ 07836
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We have reception, wifi is currently unavailable to players.
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Yes, there are mattresses inside cabins, but you will need to bring your own twin-size bedding and pillows.
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Yes, and it will be designated during opening announcements.
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Please refer to the parking information provided here.
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If you cannot sleep on a top bunk, please reach out to a director via out Contact Form before the first day of the event.
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Please email our PR representative, Bethany, at
DRNJMarketing@gmail.comIf for whatever reason you don’t wish to email Bethany, please feel free to reach out to any of the owners or directors at their listed emails.
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Yes! We accept cash or card.
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Yes, please review the details of our live-event Meal Plan here.
Details of the meal plan are subject to change on a monthly basis.
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Yes, there is tenting space available. For details please reach out via our Contact Form. Site map can be found here.
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It’s possible, but not guaranteed. If you would rather not risk being woken up, the Med Sleep cabin is never raided/attacked. Learn more about Med Sleep here.
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We have a meal plan available to purchase, you can bring your own food, or you can leave site.
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Fire safety rules will be gone over in opening announcements. At some events, campfires and fireplaces may be allowed under the condition that they are never left unsupervised. Further details will be given during opening announcements.