PNWF - Program C Cast

Sean (Director) is almost too excited to get back into the director’s chair for the festival. His Directing credits include: “Night Watch”, McKeesport Little Theater, and “A Learning Experience” PNWF/MLT. The bulk of his theatrical history is performing, which includes such favorites as: “12 Angry Men” (Juror #3) with MLT and (Juror #11) Prime Stage Theater, Cuckoo’s Nest (Chief), “The 39 Steps” (Richard Hanney), “Leading Ladies” (Jack Gable), and many others with MLT, six previous seasons with New Works, and several other works around the city over the past 15 years. To my wife, Kate: thank you for everything. To my daughter: I love you hunny bunny.

Adam (Jonah) is THRILLED to be doing Pittsburgh New Works for the first time! Like many others, Adam had taken a hiatus from doing theatre stuffs, and he couldn’t be more pleased to be making his return doing something as wonderful as being involved in New Works. Huge thank you’s go out to everyone at McKeesport Little Theater who believed (and hopefully still continue to believe) in Adam and for giving him the chance to do something he’s never done before. Previous and most recent credits include IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT with PITTSBURGH PLAYWRIGHTS THEATRE, ANYTHING GOES with THE THEATRE FACTORY, MIDNIGHT RADIO: A CHRISTMAS STORY with THE BRICOLAGE, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT with PRIME STAGE THEATRE.

Jennifer Luta (Director) is thrilled to be back with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, having previously directed Devotional Blackmail, Thursday Mornings and Sunday Nights, Bernie, and More Than Meets the Eye. She has also performed with the Festival several times. She is currently serving as the President of the South Hills Players and is a graduate of Point Park University where she majored in Musical Theatre.

Todd Ballenger (Michael) is thrilled to be making two debuts, first at the PNWF, and secondly with The South Hills Players. “Love to my family and friends for all their encouragement. New company, new friends, new works, right?” Recent/favorite stage credits include Doubt: A Parable (Fr. Flynn), The Odd Couple (Speed), and 12 Angry Men (Juror Eight), all with Ghost Light Productions in Pittsburgh, PA. Todd is also active in Pittsburgh’s 48-Hour Film Project and can be seen in Summer Stalk and A Taste for Murder, as well as garnering writing credits in the short films Summer Stalk, A Taste for Murder, and The Last Ride of Dick Dice (Ghost Light Productions).

Cristen Stephansky (Rebecca) is very excited to be performing in the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. She is an actor and graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. She also enjoys writing short plays and films and taking improv classes.

Michelle Gibson (Gemma) is delighted to be making her debut with The South Hills Players. Recent credits include the film George Bush by Lane Foxworthy, Dead Fox Productions. She is known also for past commercial work (Highmark’s Lights, Glamour, Action, and others), and has been featured in promotional events as Marilyn Monroe. Michelle is a graduate of Penn State University. She is currently studying Acting at Donna Belajac Actors Studio. Michelle is a decorated equestrian and loves spending time with her Quarter Horse “Charlie”, waterskiing, jet skiing and is a freestyle frisbee fanatic. Special thanks to Ken and Savannah for their constant love and support...and countless hours of reading lines.

Jen James (Director) is excited to be back in the director’s chair. Previous directing credits: Moonlight and Valintino, Bottoms Up! Livin’ on Love for SPT. The Addams Family, Urinetown and Legally Blonde: The Musical for Mon River Arts. It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Show, The History of America…Abridged , and Snoopy for The Theater Factory. On stage, Jen is usually well disguised playing The Grinch/Scrooge in A Suessified Christmas Carol and Dr. Scott in The Rocky Horror Picture Show for Mom Rivier Arts; Dr. Green/The Wicked Witch of the West Wing in Dorothy in Oz and originating the role of Heffalump in the world premier of Winnie the Pooh and the 7 Deadly Sins for The Rage of the Stage Players.

Lorraine Mszanski (Producer) is thrilled to pave participating in the festival as producer on behalf of SPT for the third year. Last year she was also fortunate enough to perform, as well, which was a wonderful experience. Lorraine serves as the Executive Director of South Park Theatre and has directed, choreographed, and stage managed for numerous theaters throughout Pittsburgh. She’s a proud graduate of St. Mary’s College. Many thanks to Jen, Alex, Andy, the cast and all the PNWF staff for their hard work and dedication!

Alex Hagerty (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be participating in her first ever Pittsburgh New Works Festival representing South Park Theatre! Past Notable Credits- 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Assistant Stage Manager), Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play (Stage Manager), Mr Burns: A Post Electric Play (Production Stage Manager), & Urinetown (Production Stage Manager). She wants to thank Lorraine Mzanski for another opportunity to work with SPT, Jen James for working with her crazy schedule and for being an amazing director, and the entire cast for all their hard work!

James Michael Shoberg (Voice 1) is a thirteen-year veteran of the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, during which he received six awards. In 2012, he closed out the festival with the hat-trick of acting, playwriting, and producing in a single weekend. James is proud to be returning after taking a nine-year hiatus to focus on his own company, The Rage of the Stage Players; Pittsburgh’s only not-for-profit fringe theatre “coven” (now celebrating its 20th year), where he serves as Co-Executive Producer, Artistic Director, and Resident Playwright. His writing credits include numerous fringe plays, monologues, and poems. In 2016, horror writer/director Tom Holland tapped him to write, produce, design, and direct an official stage adaptation of the 1985 vampire film Fright Night, which premiered in October 2018.

Mike (James) has been acting in Pittsburgh in both stage and film for over 15 years. He is glad to get back on stage after a long COVID-19 pause. He was last seen in the Pittsburgh New Works Festival in 2017. This will be his 4th time performing in the New Works Festival. He currently works in human services. He is thankful for his Dad's love and support.

Brooke Stearns (Kaitlin) is thrilled to be in her first post-college production and make her debut with South Park Theatre! Some of her favorite credits include"The Wolves" and "Into the Woods" (University of Pittsburgh Stages). She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020 where she studied Theatre Arts and Communication. Brooke also served on board of the Musical Theatre Club, where she provided both direction and musical direction for several productions. She is ecstatic to be back on stage and honored to be showcasing this original play!

Paige Moody (Voice 3) is honored and delighted the make her debut with the South Park Theater production of “Social Anxiety”. Recent credits include Oliver Twisted and several other projects with Rage of the Stage Players, Hairspray with Stage62, and Broadway Meets Motown with the Strand Theater. She also recently contributed to a film with Redwood Media Group that is currently in production. She Clairton, PA native and has a Bachelors of arts degree in theater from California University of Pennsylvania. She is very excited to appear in her very first Pittsburgh New Works Festival.

Cathy Gialloreto (Hostess) is happy to be back on stage after such a long absence like everyone else. Had great fun in my last show playing Honey Rae in Southern Hospitality for Community Theatre Players. Cathy has been a Docent at the Pittsburgh Zoo, since 1983. Presently she does work for the Registrar. She is anxious for her other activities to start up again.

Steven (Voice) is thrilled to be returning to the Pittsburgh New Works Festival yet again. His most recent performance have been A Midsummer Night’s Dream for the Heritage Players and See How They Run for the South Park Theatre. Steve would like to thank his mother and his son for being the best fans he could ask for. It is so great to be back together again.

Noah (Mike) is very excited to have the opportunity to perform with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. After studying with Donna Belajac Actors Studio, his very first stage performance was with PNWF and he's honored to be back. Since then, Noah has performed with a number of companies throughout Pittsburgh including The Heritage Players, South Park Theatre, The Rage of the Stage Players, and McKeesport Little Theater. He is thankful for South Park Theatre for this opportunity and is very happy to be working with such a great company. Noah is looking forward to working with a number of talented folks who are apart of this festival.