Shaving Lessons and Half-Windsor Knots by F.J. Hartland Cast

F.J. Hartland (Playwright)
F.J. has made a record setting seventeen appearances in the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, winning Best Play four times (Postcards from a Dead Dog, Shaving Lessons and Half-Windsor Knots, Funeral in the Rain, and The Perhaps). He holds an MFA in Playwriting from Carnegie-Mellon University where he was a Shubert Fellow in Playwriting and a two-time winner of the Bud Yorkin Playwriting Award. He made his NYC playwriting debut at the age of 23 when the Ensemble Studio Theatre workshopped his play A Piano Player with Sad Brown Eyes. In addition to his work as a playwright, F.J. is a professional actor (member of Actors Equity Association since 1991) and an experienced stage director with over 100 productions to his credit. Currently, he is an adjunct in the Theatre Department at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
Lora Oxenreiter (Director)
Lora is a graduate of California University of PA and a former teacher of Public Speaking and Theater Arts. She has been involved in theater for over 50 years. Once she entered the theater building at college, she was hooked. All these years later, she is still at it, directing whenever and wherever she can, for a wonderful assortment of theater companies. Memorable among them are Little Lake Theatre, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theater, South Park Theater, McKeesport Little Theater, Riverfront Theater Company, Prime Stage Theater, University of Pittsburgh, CCAC South Campus, and Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Though she has worked in every aspect of theater, including 14 years as the Customer Service Manager for City Theater, she is most comfortable in the director’s seat and is constantly on the lookout for her next project. Lora sits on the Board of the Pittsburgh New Works Festival.
Jim Scriven (Son)
Jim is really excited to be a part of this opportunity. Jim has spent much of the previous 5 years away from performing, but not away from theater. He spends his days as the Associate Education Director for the Pittsburgh CLO and the rest of his time raising two children. Previously with the CLO, he performed with the Gallery of Heroes program for seven years, directed summer camps, was on faculty at the CLO Academy, and was a teacher with the Creative Vision program. Jim is a 2005 graduate of Allegheny College with a degree in Theater. He has performed with Pittsburgh CLO, City Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse Square, Split Stage Productions, Gemini Theater, Pittsburgh New Works Festival (2010 Outstanding Lead Actor), Apple Hill Playhouse, and Frog Prince Theatricals among others. Much love for Heidi, Wesley, and Molly.
Daniel A. Krack (Dad)
Daniel is honored and thrilled to be part of this revival of Shaving Lessons and Half-Windsor Knots. He is an Assistant Teaching Professor of English and Theatre at Penn State Fayette. Prior to Penn State, Dan has directed over thirty productions including Titanic: The Musical, The Wizard of Oz, and Children of Eden at Greater Latrobe Senior High School. Additionally, he has appeared on stage across the region in productions such as Titanic: The Musical (Split Stage Productions), Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (Apple Hill Playhouse), Andy Tell Me Tru (Pittsburgh New Works Festival), and Shaving Lessons and Half-Windsor Knots (Pittsburgh New Works Festival). Dan will be appearing this fall as Lenny Ganz in Rumors (directed by Lora Oxenreiter) at Little Lake Theater.
Ivy Steinberg (Mom)
Ivy is honored to be reprising her role as Mom in F.J.'s beautiful play. She is a classically-trained actor and singer and has enjoyed working locally with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, McKeesport Little Theater, Prime Stage Theatre, Poor Yorick's Players, South Side Park Theatre, Pittsburgh Savoyards, Miniature Curiousa, and Musical Mysteries & More. Favorite past roles include Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter, Susy in Wait Until Dark, Alex in On The Verge, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Ivy's most recent artistic endeavours have been singing lead and backing vocals and playing ukulele with Pittsburgh-based band The Armadillos. Ivy is looking forward to being able to hug all of her family and friends soon!!