PNWF - Program B Cast

Nicole Zalak (Director) received her B.A. in theatre at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is the President of the Board for the Heritage Players and has worked with company for over fifteen years. Her directing credits include “Oleanna,” “The Crucible,” “Little Women (The Musical),” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Great Gatsby,” and most recently, an upcoming outdoor, filmed production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” She directs Keystone Oaks Middle School’s annual fall play, as well. Nicole has so much love for the Pittsburgh New Works Festival and is so happy to be back for her seventh year.

Greg Pegher (Stage Manager) has been working with the Heritage Players since 2016; stage management credits include "Fahrenheit 451", "The Wizard of Oz", "The Great Gatsby", and their recent filmed production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (streaming soon at heritageplayers.org). This is his third show with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Greg also serves on the production staff for Keystone Oaks Middle School's annual fall play, and works outside of the theater as a mechanical engineer.

Elena Falgione (Intimacy Choreographer) is so excited to be involved with the PNWF as an Intimacy Choreographer. She has trained with Theatrical Intimacy Education under the tutelage of Chelsea Pace, Laura Rikard, and Kaja Dunn; as well as with Heartland Intimacy under the tutelage of Dr. Kate Busselle. She is also an actor and a singer, with a BFA in Musical Theatre. You may have seen her last in Heritage's PNWF production of "Oedipus...But Better" for which she was honored as the Best Supporting Actress for the 2019 Festival. She is currently recording an album with her band, Brigade Kid. Brigade Kid's first single, "Flung" is now streaming on Spotify and is available for purchase on Bandcamp, iTunes, and Amazon.

Seth Adams (Jared) is ever so excited to be a part of the production of Fade with the Heritage Players. He is 20 years old and has been acting since he was 10 years old. His first performance was Singing in the Rain as Don Lockwood for the Pittsburgh CLO, and has been loving performing of all kinds ever since.

Seth Laidlaw (Steven) is a Pittsburgh-based artist, arts administrator, director, and producer. He currently serves as Senior Arts Education Program Manager at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and President of Stage 62, where he most recently directed Forever Plaid. Seth holds a Master of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University. He is passionate about audience and community engagement, and finding ways to connect with others through storytelling. Most of all, Seth is thrilled to be working with the Heritage Players and New Works Festival for the first time.

Catherine Lauren Baird; she/her (Sandy) is thrilled to be back with PNWF following a delightful experience with The Jester’s Guild in 2019. She recently played Jill in Jump with Jill: THE MOVIE!, a film adaptation of the award-winning rock & roll nutrition education program, after touring nationally with the live show. Regional credits include Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks, New Renaissance Theatre Company, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Hangar Theatre, and Broadway Series South. BA, UNC-Chapel Hill. Join Catherine for some merry hilarity this December with Steel City Shakespeare Center’s production of The 12 Dates of Christmas! Thanks to the Heritage Players for bringing together such a stellar team to build our magical world of shadows!!! catherinelaurenbaird.com

Nicole (Lucy) is excited to be making her return to The Pittsburgh New Works Festival. She was previously seen in the festival in 2017 as Annie in Exit Strategy by Tom Moran. Previous roles include Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden, and Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan, among others. Nicole spends her days as a Social Worker and Financial Counselor at Magee Women's Cancer Center in Pittsburgh.

Joe Eberle (Director) is thrilled to be back at New Works directing for Little Lake Theatre. Other directing credits for the Lake include “Craving for Travel” earlier this year, and “A Comedy of Tenors” in 2019. He made his film directing debut last fall with the short films, “The Gypsy Prophecy,” and “A Ghost Story,” as part of Little Lake’s “Scary Stories From the Lake.” As an actor, he most recently appeared as Richard in "Fuddy Meers" at The Theatre Factory, and in several local independent short films. Joe is also part of the sketch comedy team, "Infinite Kittens," and has performed at the Arcade Comedy Theater. Joe is a two-time Donna award winner for directing "Once Upon a Mattress Store" and "I Forgot to Worry."

Jena Oberg (Producer) is incredibly excited that Little Lake Theatre is able to particiate in the Pittsburgh New Works Festival this season. Jena serves as Little Lake's Artistic Director, where she has directed over forty productions. Her most recent/favorites include Peter and the Starcatcher, The Crucible, Arcadia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Disney's Frozen Jr. Jena is a proud graduate of Northwestern Univeristy. In addition to her work at Little Lake, Jena has worked with numerous theatre companies including Act One Theatre School, The Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO's creative visions program, and The Portland Stage Company.

Delaney Metikosh (Stage Manager) is pleased to be joining New Works for her first professional show! Metikosh is a sophomore Arts and Stage Management student at Point Park University. Throughout high school, she has worked as a stage manager, student director, actress, and student choreographer for various performances such as Peter Pan, Mamma Mia!, Shrek: the Musical, It’s a Wonderful Life, and The Game of Tiaras. Metikosh would like to thank her friends and family for pushing her to pursue her passion and for being her biggest supporters. She would also like to extend her gratitude to Joe Eberle for providing her with this chance to further her experience in the Arts.

John Reilly (The Polar Bear) retired from a forty-year career in college teaching (English, Public Speaking, Theater) in 2009. His graduate work in theater includes four years of doctoral study in dramatic literature and criticism at University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MFA in Acting from the University of Alabama. John has directed over one hundred productions at West Liberty University and in the Wheeling (WV) area and has appeared in many area theaters including LITTLE LAKE, KINETIC, QUANTUM, PICT, PRIME STAGE, CENTER STAGE, TOWNGATE, UPSTAIRS THEATER, THREE RIVERS SHAKESPEARE). He has also acted with Shakespeare Festivals in Tennessee and Virginia. This is his fifth NWF performance, having worked previously with HERITAGE PLAYERS (twice), KUNTU REP, and UPSTAIRS THEATER (""Outstanding Actor""with the last).

John Dolphin (Warren) John is coming off a long hiatus from acting. For the past 23 years he taught English at the Pine-Richland School District and has just recently retired. Acting credits include Of Mice and Men at the Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo, where he also worked as a teaching artist. In New York, John was seen in productions at the Off-Center Theatre, The New Theatre and the American Folk Theatre. He was a founding member of, I Comici Confidanti, that created original musicals. Here in Pittsburgh, he worked with the Red Barn Theatre in Hampton and was thrilled to be a small part of Silence of the Lambs. He is pleased to make his comeback with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival.

Sue Kurey (Director) is thrilled to be part of The New Works Festival again this year. Directing credits include The Diary of Anne Frank (The Theatre Factory), Butterscotch (South Park Theatre), Columbus Day (PNWF). Thank you to the hard working cast and amazing stage manager. Patty Ross thank you for trusting me with your words. I hope I made you proud.

Rebekah Little (Stage Manager) is excited to be at her first New Works Festival! She has Stage Managed many times for The Theatre Factory and has occasionally helped with costumes.

Duncan Jameson (Jack Tobias) is thrilled to be making his stage debut with The Theatre Factory and Pittsburgh New Works. Recent screen credits include Mina and Growth with Point Park University, The Shortest of Stories with CCAC, and Hors D’oeuvres with Carnegie Screenwriters. Duncan also appeared in the film The Deacon of Doom. He trains at Donna Belajac Actors Studio. Duncan is a third-generation ad man and also an adjunct professor at Point Park University.

Matt Solter (Todd Cavanaugh) is excited to be back at PNWF and working with The Theatre Factory! He had a great experience at the festival in 2019 in The Heritage Players award-winning production of A SHOW. No stranger to the stage, but a stranger to scripts, he can usually be found at Arcade Comedy Theater teaching and performing his bread-and-butter, improv comedy. When he's not on stage he is an INTERESTING DAY JOB for A COOL ORGANIZATION. More at WEBSITE.

Rebekah Hukill (Karen Tobias) is excited to be collaborating with the Theatre Factory for the first time for her third New Works Festival. She was recently seen South Park Theatre's production of "Love, Loss, and What I Wore," and she very much hopes to be seen in November as Claire in Proof with the Riverfront Theatre Company.

Reighan Bean (Mandy Tobias) is thrilled to be a part of Pittsburgh New Works Festival. In addition to being a sophomore at North Catholic High School, she is training with The Collective (lead by Michael Campayno) and the Actor’s Conservatory Program (lead by Jillian O'Neil). She is focusing on both stage and film productions and can also be seen in a current Visit PA commercial. Besides working on her goal of being a professional actor, Reighan dreams of working at NASA.