Program B

August 29 - September 1

Storm of the Century

by Joe Carlisle of Croton on Hudson, NY

Produced by Pittsburgh Savoyards

This play features two people who become snowed-in while visiting a cabin somewhere in the woods: MADELYN, who had been planning to have a quiet week or two during which she could work on her graduate thesis concerning flatworms; and, ROY, who was helping her get the cabin ready for her stay. And then the snow came. When the play opens, they have been trapped in the cabin for twelve days with the snow continuing to fall. When will the snow stop? How much can the roof take? Will it cave in? The play also features a shared delusion (a hallmark of our approach to climate change) which should feel right at home.

Joe Carlisle was runner-up for the 2019 William Faulkner Literary Award, Mr. Carlisle’s plays have been seen at the Dayton Playhouse (Dayton, OH), the John Houseman Theatre (Theatre Row, NYC), the Schoolhouse Theatre (North Salem, NY), Paramount East Theatre (Peekskill, NY), Theatre Studio (NYC), The Depot Theater (Garrison, NY) and other spaces. His plays have also been seen in several playwriting competitions, including the Julie Harris Playwriting Competition (full-length), NYC’s Fringe Festival (one act), NYC’s Midtown International Theatre Festival, and others. In the last few months, his plays have been featured in numerous competitions, including I Remember Grandma (a winner in the 2019 Northern Arizona Playwriting Showcase), First Contact, a finalist in the StageIt! Festival (Bonita Springs, FL), B-Movie, a finalist in the Playzapalooza Festival (Santa Paula, CA), Ed the Fourth, a quarter-finalist in the Screen Craft competition (Stage Play category); a semi-finalist with Storm of the Century by Mildred’s Umbrella Theatre Company (Houston, TX); and with The Blue Moon Café, both a semi-finalist in the Ritz Theatre’s Comedy Play Festival (Haddon, NJ), and recipient of an honorable mention by the Tree City Playhouse (Sylvania, OH). He majored in Dramatic Arts at U.C. Berkeley and is a member of the Dramatists Guild.

CAST/CREW

Sean Lenhart (Director) is returning to the Pittsburgh New Works Festival for the 5th time; twice as an Actor, twice as a Writer, and now as Director. If you saw the 2016 Pirates of Penzance or the recent Princess Ida, that was Sean working as Director and Assistant Director respectively. He has also helped create and stage The Super Smash Opera. A graduate of Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts, you can check out the full resume at seanlenhart.com

Robert Hockenberry (Producer)

Sean David Butler (Roy) is thrilled to return to the PNWF stage. While he was unable to continue his production in last year's festival, Sean was the director for the McKeesport Little Theater inclusions in the festival from 2019 to 2022. The last time he performed in the festival was back in 2016, in the South Hill Players production of More than Meets the Eye (Tommy). Sean has been involved with various companies in and around the Pittsburgh area for almost 20 years. Currently, he serves as a member of the Board of Directors and as a member of the Theater Arts Committee with McKeesport Little Theater. Sean would like to thank his wife and children for letting him take part in this year's festival.

Jim Kiley (Old Ranger) is excited to make his debut with Pittsburgh Savoyards. He is an actor and improviser from Pittsburgh. Recent roles include Carlino in Wait Until Dark at Little Lake Theatre and multiple roles in Red Herring at the Theatre Factory, as well as multiple roles in the Parallel Realms festival with Stage Warp Productions. He's also performed improv as a member of independent and house teams at Arcade Comedy Theatre and at the DC Comedy Festival. He lives in the eastern Pittsburgh suburbs with his wife Ellen and a pile of books.

Erika Krenn (Madelyn) is thrilled to be back for her 4th year at PNWF! Past recent Pittsburgh theatre credits include Sara in Stop Kiss, Eleanor in The Haunting of Hill House, and Sandra in The Play That Goes Wrong. She is active in film, VO, and commercial acting, and is represented by the Talent Group. Erika is a board member of Pittsburgh’s chapter of Women in Film and Media, and works by day as a Recruiter. She has a degree in Psychology from Gannon University, with minors in Theatre and Journalism. When she is not busy acting, her favorite things to do are photography, cooking and traveling.

Once Upon a Human

by Amy Tofte of Los Angeles, CA

Produced by Red Masquers

Prince Charming is held hostage by the woodland creatures and must negotiate his survival before he’s killed as a blood sacrifice to the notorious God Mother.

Amy Tofte is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter who won the 2015 Nicholl Fellowship in screenwriting from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Her play Righteous Among Us (2020 Todd McNerney Award) had a staged reading at Urban Stages (off-Broadway) in early 2023 with other recent productions including her play Da Vinci’s Cockroach at The LaBute New Theater Festival (St. Louis, MO) and Parts & Pieces (Larking House in Santa Ana, CA). She is currently a playwright with the Evolving Playwrights Group at Circle X Theatre in Los Angeles where she is writing a new “impossible play” called Rain Dog War. She has been in residence at the Autry Museum of the American West, Brush Creek, Monson Arts, The Kennedy Center, Headlands, and Yaddo with work produced and developed throughout the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and twice at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She is a proud member of The Dramatists Guild. MFA, CalArts.

CAST/CREW

Matt Dudley (Director) is a recent graduate from Duquesne University, where he received his BSBA in Information Systems & Technology. Matt is returning for his second season with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, after stage managing for The Summer Company last season. Matt has directed several student productions at Duquesne, and he will be assistant directing You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown this spring at The Theatre Factory! Matt is additionally a seasoned actor, with some of his favorite credits including The SpongeBob Musical (Sheldon J. Plankton), Mud (Lloyd), and Ruthless! The Musical (Sylvia St. Croix).

John E. Lane, Jr. (Producer) is an Associate Professor and the Director of Theater Arts program for Duquesne University. He has directed over 125 productions for various companies around the Pittsburgh area including Pittsburgh Public Theater, Carlow University, Pittsburgh Opera Theater, Wilkinsburg Arts Theater, Medieval and Renaissance Players, Pittsburgh New Works Festival, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Company, Thank You, Felix Productions, and Future Tenants. He is a board member of the Gemini Children’s Theater and the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Since joining Duquesne he has directed 12 world premiere productions including a new adaptation of The Beggar’s Opera and The Mother of Us All: An Evening with Gertrude Stein, Serenede, The Consorts, and Shuffle Ball Change … and Die!

Emma Moore (Stage Manager) is a recent graduate of Duquesne University with a degree in Theater Arts. This is her third season with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. For the past two seasons she was the sound designer for all program weeks. She was an active member of the Red Masquers and is happy to be working with them again. Emma has also worked with Prime Stage Theatre and The Summer Company as the Stage Manager for Theatre of Blood. During the day she works at Carnegie Science Center as an AV & Special events coordinator. She hopes you all enjoy this years season and continue to support local artists!

Tyler Guinto-Brody (Charming) recent credits include Three Sisters (Vershinin) and Stupid Fucking Bird (Con) at The Collective, The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert Martin), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour Krelborn), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Quasimodo), and Big Fish (Edward Bloom) at Elizabeth Forward High School. He is also a four-time nominee and three-time winner of the Gene Kelly Award for Best Actor and three-time nominee of the National High School Musical Theater Awards (Jimmy Awards). Tyler will be attending Northwestern University this fall to pursue a BA in Theatre, concentrating in Acting and Playwriting.

Travis Barkefelt (Field) is very excited to be part of this year’s Pittsburgh New Works Festival. His most recent role was as one of the Tramps in the Summer Company’s production of Theater of Blood. Previously, Travis has worked extensively with the Duquesne Red Masquers in a variety of roles such as Medvedenko in The Seagull, Cecil Opensleigh in Savage Lands and Yo-yo in Psycho Beach Party. He has also worked with Gemini Children’s Theater and Play on Words and is hoping to continue working with community theater in the future. 

Piper Redford (Sparrow) is a senior musical theatre major at LPPACS. Among many of her previous roles, her favorites have been Johanna (Sweeney Todd), Wendla (Spring Awakening), Monica (Freaky Friday), Tanya (Punk Rock), Kira/Clio (Xanadu), Michael (Elf), Veruca (Willy Wonka), Narrator (Into The Woods), Gracie Shinn (The Music Man). She currently studies at the Collective with Michael Campayno, trains in ballet at West Point Ballet, and trains in acting with Daina Griffith. She plans to pursue a BFA in musical theatre. She would like to thank her New Works team for this amazing opportunity. She also thanks God and her family. Go home! Live Happily Ever After!

Anna King Skeels (Gray) is an actor, playwright, big nerd, and a recent graduate of Point Park University's Theatre Arts BFA program. Skeels was most recently a lead artist for Kelly Strayhorn Theater's Freshworks Program, presenting their work, unstitch this past Spring. Other recent credits include: Bradley in Men on Boats (Pittsburgh Playhouse), and Hannah Porter Pitt in Angels in America: Millenium Approaches (Pittsburgh Playhouse). Catch them at the Scranton Fringe Festival this Fall, presenting two original one acts! Instagram: @akskeels

Kindergrad

by Deanna Sparrow of Slippery Rock, PA

Produced by Heritage Players

It’s Kindergarten graduation day, there's a tight race for valedictorian, and all H-E-double hockey sticks is about to break loose.

Deanna Sparrow is a theatre artist & educator based in the Greater Pittsburgh area. Inspired by the flourishing playwriting scene at the University of Iowa, where she earned her MFA in Acting, Deanna first began setting fingers to keys. Her first full-length play, December Things, had its premiere at Slippery Rock University and was recently produced in Pittsburgh at the Old Schoolhouse Players in spring 2023. This past December, Deanna collaborated with hobnob theatre co. on the new holiday musical, Mr. Bob Cratchit’s Merry Christmas Carol Sing-Along & Variety Show!, for which – in addition to performing – she penned the book & co-wrote the lyrics (music & lyrics: Ken Smith). Deanna loves her daughter & husband, family & friends, kids & teachers & public education, and lists!

CAST/CREW

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 nearly twenty years. Some of directing credits include Little Women (The Musical), To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Radium Girls. Nicole has so much love for the Pittsburgh New Works Festival and is so happy to be back for her tenth year.

Nicole Zeak (Producer) is excited to return for her seventh season with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Previous shows include Exit Strategy, Malum, Oedipus, but Better, Fade, The Clumps, and Reunion (Love in 3 Parts), all with the Heritage Players. Zeak is the Vice President of the Heritage Players and has been with the company for 10 years. She is also the Operations Manager for the Byham Theater with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Greg Pegher (Stage Manager) is participating in his sixth Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Previous Festival credits include directing The Clumps (2022) and stage managing Reunion, Fade, Oedipus, but Better, and Malum, all with the Heritage Players.

Carly Chotiner (Mackenzie Motts) is a lifelong Pittsburgh resident but a first time PNWF participant! Still, they’re no stranger to originating a staged role, like Atria Romero in The Limbo Cafe (Stage Warp). Some of Carly’s other favorite productions include Fires in the Mirror (Dice Theater), Perfect Arrangement (Theater by the Grove), and Radium Girls (The Heritage Players). She is excited to work with the Heritage Players once again! Carly trained in Ireland at West End House School of Arts and The Gaiety School of Acting and has a BA in Theater from Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she developed, directed, and acted in her original performance piece From Me to You. Catch Carly going from “school” to “ghoul” as a scare actor with Hundred Acres Manor this fall!

Kalee George (Ms. Peffer/Fight Choreographer) is a local actor, director, fight choreographer, and all around theatre artist. She has been seen at various Pittsburgh theatre companies in a variety of roles including Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks, Saltworks Theatre Company, New Hazlett CSA, Fluidity Theatre Co, Heritage Players, and Stage Warp Productions. She graduated Niagara University with a BFA in Theatre Performance. She also serves as Manager of Arts Education Programs at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. She would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her artistic pursuits. Learn more at Kaleegeorge.com

Frederick Coleman (Jefferson Rhodes) is delighted to be performing in his fourth New Works production. He has previously performed across the county at Jester's Guild, Heritage Players, Stage Warp, Riverfront, McKeesport, and more! Other acting and directorial credits include numerous plays at Franklin University Switzerland where he graduated in 2019.

Dewayne Curry

Korey Grecek (Logan G.) is a writer and actor from Castle Shannon. Korey just graduated with their BFA in Acting from Penn State. Previous New Works credits include Statin Eye-Land Fairy (Cabbie) and When You Are a Little Bit Older (Owen). Korey’s original web series Fat Single Queers Seeking Literally Anyone Please hits YouTube later this fall so be on the lookout for that. Korey would like to dedicate this performance to his niece, Sophie, another Best Friend kindergrad!

Amanda Leight

Eric Thomas (Mr. Hamm) is thrilled to be returning back to the New Works Festival after 25 years. He previously performed in '96 with The Upstairs Theater and in '97 with McKeesport Little Theater. He has performed all around the Pittsburgh area with Pittsburgh Musical Theater, Little Lake Theater, South Park Theater, The Pittsburgh Savoyards, Latshaw productions and several others. Love to my partner and best friend, Cathy.

Sydney Turnwald (Emily) is amped (that's what the cool kids say, right?) to be participating in the Pittsburgh New Works Festival again. Past festivals appearances: Two Gentleman of Donora (Sister Two) and Devotional Blackmail (Carol Ann). She's excited to be working this year with the Heritage Players, where she also serves as a board member and recently stage managed The Secret Garden. She hopes you think this show is fire (she's been told this too is a saying of the kids these days).