Program C
September 5-8
Hip Replacement
Stephen LaRocque of Bethesda, MD
Produced by prime stage Theatre
A retired couple have a tough decision to make when their daughter, an aspiring photographer and film maker, asks them to participate as models in an instructional video illustrating safe sex positions for people who have had hip replacements.
Stephen LaRocque has written performance pieces of all kinds, from comedy sketches to full-length plays, since 1976. Active in the greater Washington DC area since 1994 as an actor, director, and playwright, he has had a total of eleven one-act and three full-length plays produced by community and professional theaters in several states. His one-act play, Columbus Day, was produced at the Pittsburgh New Works Festival in 2018. He is delighted to be with the New Works Festival again
CAST/CREW
Linda Haston (Director) also a Board Member has long participated in PNWF representing Prime Stage Theatre. She is the Education Director & Teaching Artist for PST, and has directed and/or performed on the stages of local Pittsburgh theatre companies which include Off the Wall Theater, Quantum, City Theatre, Bricolage, New Horizon, The Public Theatre, PICT, Arcade Comedy Theatre and Prime Stage Theatre. Recently she performed in the acclaimed Fat Ham at City Theatre which also went to TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She has performed her acclaimed one woman show Mother Lode written by Virginia Wall Gruenert, Artistic Director of Off the Wall Theatre Productions in Rep and in 2018 performed it in New York and in June of 2023 performed it in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Wayne Brinda, Ed. D. (Producer) is a Co-founder/Producing Artistic Director of Prime Stage, Wayne has directed and produced over 100 productions for Prime Stage. As Director of Playhouse Jr, he produced and directed adaptations of literature and created community partnerships. A Museum Teaching Fellow of the US Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, Wayne uses theatre and literature to teach the Holocaust and he helps teachers improve the literacy of students.
Jason Kmetic (Stage Manager) has been working in theater for 20 years. He has worked for Disney, and production companies in California. Jason has recently returned to Pittsburgh to go back to his passion of theater! Some of Jason’s credits include: The Long Road Today/ El Largo Camino Del Hoy (Lighting Technician/First Assistant Stage Manager), Apsis Requiem (Lighting Designer/Stage Manager), Gypsy (Lighting Designer/Stage Manager), Of Mice and Men (Assistant Stage Manager), 15 Min of Fame (Assistant Director/Stage Manager), 1984 (Assistant Stage Manager), Animal Farm (Assistant Stage Manager/Master Electrician), The Mousetrap (Assistant Stage Manager/Master Electrician), The Boxcar Children (Stage Manager), The Miracle Worker (Stage Manager), Fifth Feeling: A Performance Ritual (Lighting Designer/Stage Manager), and most recently High School Drama Awards (Production Stage Manager).
Hannah Brizzi (Maggie) is excited to return to the stage after a five-year hiatus. Hannah has performed with numerous companies in the PGH area, including PNWF, Theatre Factory, Split Stage Productions, Poor Yorick's Players, and more. Thank you to the cast and crew, PNWF, my parents,and Nate for all your support.
Andy M. Davis (Jay) is thrilled to be making his return to the Pittsburgh New Works festival. In previous years, Andy has participated in the festival with Cells (Kuntu Repertoy Theatre). Some of his other credits include 12 Angry Men with Prime Stage Theatre, Pera Palas with Open Stage Theatre, and Poor Superman with Pitt Rep. Andy has recently returned to the Pittsburgh area after years of searching the world for coffee and adventure. Andy is proud to currently serve as the Sr. Talent Acquisition Specialist for Oregon Humane Society, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization on the West Coast.
Jocelyn Hillen (Marilyn) is honored to take part in the Pittsburgh New Works Festival for the first time. She was last seen at the Pittsburgh Savoyards in Pride and Prejudice (Caroline Bingley) and A Flea in Her Ear (Raymonde Chandebise) and at Prime Stage in The Boxcar Children (Mrs. Alberts / Mrs. Truman). Some favorite past roles include Truvy in Steel Magnolias and Amanda in Private Lives. She is a proud alumni of the University of the Arts (RIP) where she received a BFA in Acting. She produces, performs and coaches improv comedy at Arcade Comedy Theater. So much love and endless thanks to her husband Craig for supporting her in her crazy dreams and endeavors and making sure she has dinner before rehearsal.
Past Tense
by Robert Moulthrop of New York. NY
Produced by The South Hills Players
A busy, middle-aged daughter probes her mother—who suddenly needs to be on her way to book club—about a new family revelation.
Robert Moulthrop is a playwright and fiction writer. His plays have won awards for writing and performance at the New York International Fringe Festival; received festival production by Short + Sweet Sydney, The Gallery Players, and NYU; and received developmental readings with Phoenix Theatre, The National New Play Network, Northern Stage, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, New Jersey Repertory Company, Urban Stages Theatre, Abingdon Theatre Company, and Active Theatre. His short fiction has been published in Tahoma Literary Review, Reed, Berkeley Fiction Review, Confrontation, and many other journals and magazines. Robert Moulthrop is the English translator of the Danish children’s picture book “Cry, Heart, But Never Break” by Glenn Ringtved and Charlotte Pardi, which was published in English by Enchanted Lion Books in 2016 and became the winner of the 2017 ALSC's Mildred L. Batchelder Award. Robert has worked in marketing, copywriting, and communications roles for non-profits, financial services organizations, and theatrical producers. He lives and works in New York City.
CAST/CREW
Jennifer Luta (Director) is thrilled to be back with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. This is her eighth year directing for the South Hills Players, most recent PNWF shows include All Our Tomorrows, Across A Crowded Room, Two Lines, and Devotional Blackmail. As an actor, she has also performed with the Festival multiple times. She is currently serving as the President of the South Hills Players. A graduate of Point Park University where she majored in Musical Theatre, she also recently completed the Executive Program in Arts and Culture Strategy from the National Arts Strategies and the University of Pennsylvania.
Brian Kadlecik (Producer) is excited in his 9th year working stage, to again be producing a play in the Pittsbrurgh New Works Festival . He recently directed multiple vignettes in A Christmas Town, with Old Schoolhouse Players; & Now and Then, with Iron Horse Theater. Recent credits include Fredrick Rapp in The Golden Rose, with Iron Horse Theater; George, in Andre's Mother, and multiple roles in Dearly Departed, with Pendemer Productions; December Things, with Old Schoolhouse Players; A View From The Bridge, with Throughline Theater; and Newsies, with Little Lake Theater. He thanks his family and friends for their continued support, and the Pittsburgh New Works Festival for all they do.
Michelle Papakie (Stage Manager)
Megan May (Annie) is thrilled to return to New Works stage sharing a stage with her great friend Terri, and her friends at The South Hills Players. NW is such a wonderful opportunity for actors and writers. Megan earned her BFA in musical Theater from Point Park University, and just published her first book "Infinite Sisters" on Amazon. Some favorite roles include Myrtle in The Great Gatsby, Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense, Ellen in Over the Tavern Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, and Sob Sister in Radium Girls. Thanking her family for the support, and dedicating performance to the memory of Katie and Mare. Gone too soon remembered always.
Terri Davis (Estelle) Terri is thrilled to be performing in this years New Works Festival. Terri was involved in New Works in the past in a technical capacity, assisting with lighting. Terri has been performing in community theater for over 20 years. Some recent performances include Parallel Realms one act festival with Stage Warp productions, Clover in Animal Farm with Stage Warp productions, Vera in Nana's Naughty Knickers with McKeesport Little theater, Miss Puff in SpongeBob the Musical with McKeesport Little theater. Terri would like to thank Jen and the entire amazing crew of the South hills players for this opportunity.
Unexpected Baggage
by Susan Cain McQuilkin of Moorestown, NJ
produced by Iron Horse Theatre Company
Days after her flight, Atas Airline finally returns Nora's lost luggage but ... they also deliver someone else's expensive designer suitcase. Even though it is unlocked, her husband Derek warns her: do not open this untagged, unmarked bag. Convinced she is doing a good deed, in an effort to find some identification, Nora opens the suitcase. She becomes enamored with the discriminating belongings of the stranger. Further inspection of the contents reveal something that could be very valuable. With conflicting opinions on how to proceed, Nora and Derek have to decide what to do with this unexpected baggage.
Susan Cain McQuilkin's full length play productions include According To Plan at the Hedgerow Theater in Rose Valley, PA and The Perfect Gift, slated for production in December, 2024 at the Overtime Theater in San Antonio, TX. One-act play productions include Forgiveness at the Dragonfly Cultural Arts in Plainfield, NJ, So Happy For You at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and Three Wishes at the Wilmington Drama League in Wilmington, DE where it was the winner of their one-act play festival.
CAST/CREW
Danette Pemberton (Director) is positively ecstatic to bring you Unexpected Baggage in this 33rd Annual Pittsburgh New Works Festival. This project marks many firsts for Danette—first time working with Iron Horse, first time with PNWF, and first time directing! Danette most recently appeared on stage in A Rock Sails By by Sean Grennan at South Park Theatre, where she played half of the eight on-stage characters. Danette would like to thank Catherine for this opportunity, and her wife Courtney for her unending love and support.
Catherine Hayashi (Producer) is delighted to be participating in Pittsburgh New Works Festival for the first time while making her Producing debut. She serves as Vice-President of the Board of Directors at Iron Horse Theatre where she recently directed Painting Churches. Usually on stage, her most recent roles include Miss Scarlet in Clue: the Musical at Old Schoolhouse Players and Mrs. Beaver in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe with Heritage Players.
Mark Beck (Stage Manager) is delighted to be participating in the Pittsburgh New Works Festival! He is currently working as a stage hand with the Iron Horse Theater in the production of Painting Churches.
Elizabeth Glyptis (Nora) is delighted to be making her Pittsburgh New Works Festival debut! Recent credits include Charlotte Corday in The Revolutionists with South Park Theatre, Louise in The Underpants with Bobcat Players, and Rose Ponzi in King Con with PICT’s Bards from the Burgh series. By day, Elizabeth works at Carnegie Mellon University in the Health and Welfare Benefits department.
Arabelle Pollick (Janet) is a proud realtor, serving the Pittsburgh community. She is also a choreographer and playwright. Favorite credits: Dramatists Guild Representative-Tennessee (2018-2020), Banned Together: A Censorship Cabaret (TN), Director (2017),Dance Nation, Nashville Story Garden, Choreographer(2019), Tennessee Playwrights Studio, Fellow (2019). She's so excited to perform in Pittsburgh New Works Festival for the first time with an awesome crew! Please reach out to her anytime. She'd love to talk to you about theatre, Pittsburgh & real estate!
Eric Rummel (Derek) is delighted to be making his debut with New Works. His first performance in Pittsburgh was last autumn as Dr. Montague in The Haunting of Hill House with Stage Warp Productions. He recently appeared as (mostly) lovable hypochondriac Ben Cohen in The Underpants with The Bobcat Players, and again with Stage Warp in Parallel Realms. His favorite roles include Men in The Blue Room, Father Welsh in The Lonesome West, and Cleante in The Miser. After a decade in Los Angeles—followed by a decade in Pittsburgh recovering from Los Angeles—he’s happy to be closing in on one year of performing in Pittsburgh. Thanks to the cast and crew of Unexpected Baggage and Iron Horse Theater for the lovely trip--even with the wrong suitcase.