Program D

September 11-14

The Other Side

by Eric Suben of Mamaroneck, NY

Produced by Iron Horse Theatre Company

When Ira unexpectedly meets the grandmother he hasn't seen in fifteen years, his is at first perplexed until he realizes it's a near-death experience. As he and his grandmother watch and comment on rescue efforts and his wife's reactions, Ira grows afraid of returning to life in the world. His grandmother gives him just the push he needs.

Eric Suben is the author of numerous children’s books, co-author of three writer’s guides, and his articles have appeared in periodicals including newspapers, trade and professional magazines, and scholarly journals. He is a former theater critic for The Villager and has been a frequent performer in community theater.

CAST/CREW

Eddie Kunz (Director) is thrilled to be directing for the first time for the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, which also happens to be his first time ever directing! Eddie would like to thank his cast for being patient, creative, fun, and talented. He would like to thank the Pittsburgh New Works Festival for bringing new works to Life. Eddie is the production manager for Iron Horse Theatre in Ambridge, where he will also appear on stage this October in the original work, Angel of Mercy. Eddie hopes that you enjoy your trip to The Other Side.

Catherine Hayashi (Producer)

Charissa McMahon (Stage Mgr) is entering her Era of Me.  She has fully reconnected with her first loves, singing and acting. Charissa is the lead vocalist of a new group debuting this fall in the Beaver County area. She recently completed a sold out run of Coach and Mrs. Jagoff as Dr. Shenise Bradley & Asst. Stage Manager at Iron Horse Theatre, her new "home". A self-proclaimed "leftover hippie", she seeks out the magic in everyday life & enjoys connections with other warm souls. In love with love, moonlight, the ocean & sparkly things, she is an eternal child. Charissa is also affiliated with multiple Masonic sectors in the Pittsburgh area.

Kat Bowman (Carla) is looking forward to her second Pittsburgh New Works Festival! Kat is 26 years old and has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Seton Hill University. Her theatre accomplishments include January (Dee) with R-Act Theatre Productions at the 2024 Pittsburgh New Works Festival, Gamechanger (Andrea) with Pullie Productions in the Pittsburgh Summer 48 Hour Film Project, and Murder at Ringside (Detective Cavanaugh) with R-Act Theatre Productions. She would also like to thank her voice teacher, Guy Russo, and her acting coach of 7 years, Daina Griffith. Lastly Kat would like to thank her parents for their love and support (and car). She is dedicating this performance to her late cousin Sandy Kitchen, who was the reason she was able to start acting.

Calvin Brookins (Ira) has been involved with acting since 2019, but really became involved in theatre for three years now and a few of the recent productions that Calvin was involved in are Pride and Prejudice for Pittsburgh Savoyards where he played Charles Bingley, Christmas Belles for Pendeminer Productions where he played Justin Waverly, and Hay Fever for The Community Theater Players where he played Simon Bliss. Calvin is excited to return to New Works for the second time and first time working with Iron Horse. Enjoy!

Louise Fox

Duncan Jameson (Second Rescue Worker) a Pittsburgh ad man, returns to the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, having played Otto in Hamlet Leaves England for Prime Stage Theatre and Jim in Paint Chips for The Theatre Factory. Duncan was recently on stage in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Vanya) for Indiana Players, Rumors (Glenn Cooper) for Red Barn Players, and Coach & Mrs. Jagoff (Wayne Taylor) for Iron Horse Theatre. Other favorite credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (Roger), Guys and Dolls (Big Jule), and The Boys Next Door (Arnold Wiggins). Duncan played Poole in the full-length film House of Tears. Duncan hones his craft at Ensemble Actors Studio and lives in Point Breeze with his wife Sarah.

Ellen Kalik (Yetta) is "happy" to return to the PWNF after last year's performance in Happy. She is delighted to be performing with Iron Horse Theatre Company after just finishing her first show with the group in August as Gina in Coach and Mrs. Jagoff. Ellen has been performing in community theater for over 25 years. Other recent roles include Rumors (Claire Ganz) with Red Barn Players in June and Hay Fever (Judith Bliss) with Community Theatre Players of Ben Avon in March. Visit Ellen's website at www.ellenkailk.com.

The Head of Seamus Delaney

by Ben Scranton of Springfield MA

Produced by r-act theatre productions

Two opportunistic Irishmen place a bar bet to see who has the biggest head in the city. Scheming, high-jinx, and convoluted word play abound as they race toward a surprising conclusion. Lopsided love and family devotion play a fateful hand in the outcome. The Head of Seamus Delaney is a comedic celebration of traditional Irish storytelling.

Ben Scranton is a Massachusetts-based playwright and actor. He is the author of 14 plays. His work has been seen in NYC, across the country, and in Canada. His most popular comedy, The Back-Porch Gang has been produced in Texas, Kansas, and Maine. Ben’s one-act, Charlotte’s Revival, was featured in the 2019 Pittsburgh New Works Festival where it received critical acclaim. Writing honors include a Dramatic Writing Fellowship from the MA Cultural Council, and a two-time recipient of the Robert R. Lehan Playwriting Award from Westfield State University (MA). As an actor he was in the national tour of the Broadway musical Annie and in regional theater. Ben grew up in Wellsboro, PA. For a list of plays, visit Ben Scranton at The New Play Exchange, or www.benscranton.com.

R-ACT Theatre Productions, along with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival board of directors wish to dedicate this production to our friend and founding R-ACT member Mike Nelson. His kindness, talent, and constant calm amongst the chaos is greatly missed.

CAST/CREW

Larry Spinnenweber (Director) has been acting, well, for a long time.  He earned his BA in Theater from Penn State University and currently teaches English and Theater at Hopewell Area HIgh School.  He has spent the past 30 years acting and directing for R-ACT, as well as for Hopewell High School.  Some of Larry's favorite roles are in The Fantasticks (Mortimer) and Bright Star (Dr. Nordquist) with Center Theatre Players, Much Ado About Nothing (Man of the Watch) with Camden Shakespeare Company, The Mousetrap (Christopher Wren) and Harvey (Dr. Chumley) at Geneva College, and The Rainmaker (H.C.Curry) and Arsenic and Old Lace (Dr. Einstein) with R-ACT Theatre Productions.  Larry has also written several comedies and murder mysteries and was chosen Best Playwright in the 2021 Pittsburgh New Works Festival.

Amy Joseph (Producer) is excited to participate once again with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival! Amy performed last year in Alice in Wonderland (White Rabbit); favorite roles include The Book of Liz (Liz) and Love Letters (Melissa) all with R-ACT Theatre Productions. She is currently serving as board President with Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Amy is a Banker by day at NexTier Bank and lives in Monaca with her family.

Tammy Van Evera (Stage Manager) is stage managing for the 8th year for the Pittsburgh New Works Festival and she looks forward to the festival every year. Shout out to her run buddy Lillian!! What's a run buddy? Visit whoirun4.com for additional information.

Apryl Peroney (Maureen) is delighted to be back with PNWF representing R-Act Theatre Productions. Recent acting credits include: This Random World (Bernadette), The Sherlock Quandary (Miss Davies), A Flea in Her Ear (Raymonde), Pride & Prejudice (Mrs. Bennett) and Wanda's Visit (Wanda). Apryl has a BA in Drama from Edinboro University, Improv Training from Arcade Comedy Theatre and continues to hone her skills with Ensemble Actors Studio. When she's not onstage she tries to get as many cuddles as possible from her cats and her husband!

Heather Ruppert (Mary) is delighted to be making her R-ACT debut! She has been working in theatre for over 25 years. Some of her more recent and favorite acting roles include a main cast member in The Second City’s The Massive Weight of our Bearable Talent (online/Chicago); Tess Townley in Serenade (The Summer Company); and Sister Marie-Helen in Vivienne (The Silver Theatre Company). Heather has recently taken part in 3 short films by Dee Annette Domination. She has also directed for both the 2024 season of the PNWF (Happy) and The Summer Company’s production of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Heather holds positions on the boards for the PNWF and The Pittsburgh International & Classical Theatre (PICT).

James Michael Shoberg (Jack Looney) is celebrating his 17th year with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. During his time with the festival, he's received six Donna Awards. In 2012, he achieved the hat-trick of acting, playwriting, and producing in a single weekend—each for a different play. James is the Co-Founder, Artistic Director, and Resident Playwright of The Rage of the Stage Players, now in its 24th year. His writing credits include numerous fringe plays, monologues, and poems. In 2016, horror writer/director Tom Holland tapped him to adapt, produce, design, and direct an official stage play adaptation of the 1985 vampire film Fright Night, which premiered in October 2018 in Pittsburgh, PA, and has gone on to be produced in Florida, New Jersey, and Prague.

Cameron R. S. Smith (Seamus Delaney) is thrilled to be typecasted for his gigantic head for once. Thanks to his wife for all her support and always being on the look out for XL/XXL caps.

Bruce E. Travers (Keegan Deegan) is happy to be working with R-ACT Theatre Productions and Larry Spinnenweber again. Some of his favorite roles have been in A Christmas Carol (Ebenezer Scrooge), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Lawrence Jameson) and A Couple of Blaguards (Frank McCourt). His last role was in Barefoot in the Park (Victor Velasco) for The Bobcat Players in July. He is a caseworker for the Department of Human Services with the state, and he lives with his wife and son in Ross Township.

Who Are We, Beth Hemming?

by Benjamin Koontz of pittsburgh, pa

produced by McKeesport Little Theater

Rylen calls a suicide hotline, but it turns out he dialed the wrong number. At least, that's what Beth believes when she picks up the phone. However, Rylen turns out to be less truthful than he reports. Beth struggles with denying a stranger companionship at the expense of their life. Rylen struggles with with being vulnerable at the expense of his identity. A comedy.

Benjamin Koontz earned his BFA in Acting from West Virginia University, where he also wrote his first full-length play. After moving to Pittsburgh, he considered OnlyFans, but instead worked as an actor and writer until 2020. At that point, something mysterious and terrible happened to everyone and Ben found employment as a letter carrier. This was also terrible (God bless our Postal Service). When he resigned there was no back-up plan; the job market was depressing, writing didn't sell, OnlyFans was still a route he wasn't confident enough to take. But now he teaches kids about financial literacy and civic engagement through the art of experiential learning – which is the non-nerd term for role-play. Paraphrasing Stanislavski might be kind of trite, but Ben earnestly believes that it's our refusal to play that hinders our learning. He hopes that you enjoy this festival and, more importantly, that you enjoy who you are.

CAST/CREW

Patrick Daniels (Director) is a versatile actor, director, and writer thrilled to return to Pittsburgh New Works Festival. He previously directed the acclaimed They-Said, They-Said at last year’s festival and starred as Matt August in Soho in the 2022 production. Recently, Patrick captivated audiences as Hercule Poirot in McKeesport Little Theater’s Murder on the Orient Express, Phil Gorski in Geyer Theater’s Greetings!, and Roat in Little Lake Theater’s Wait Until Dark. Beyond the stage, he’s an accomplished author of 47 Sonnets, available on Amazon Kindle, and a musician releasing original music under the artist name “P Daniels” on all major streaming platforms.

Elizabeth Glyptis (Producer)

Nicole Brady (Beth) is a multihyphenate theatre artist currently based in Pittsburgh, PA. She recently earned her BFA in Theatre Arts, minoring in both Technical Design and Psychology, at Point Park University. Recently, you may have seen her in The Woman in White (Laura Fairlie) with the Pittsburgh Savoyards or as Virginia Clemm at the Poe Museum with the Evening Crane Theatre. This past January her one act play Dave and Harold won multiple awards in the 2025 Region 2 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Nicole would like to thank her amazing castmates for this wonderful experience and her friends and family for their constant love and support. Follow her on Instagram @nicole.__.brady and check out the website in her bio for more!

MC Carder (Ari) is proud to perform in her first New Works Festival and first project with MLT! She is a proud Point Park University alum, holding a BFA in Acting. In her time at Point Park, MC performed in The Winter’s Tale as Paulina, the RLM One Acts Festival as Glass Girl’s Friend in Glass, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee understudying Marcy/Logainne, and as the Lover in a movie musical take on 35mm. As a lifelong performer, she has over 50 stage credits and growing curiosity for film acting. MC is signed to Docherty Agency for print/film/TV, and you can find her on Instagram @mc.carder. Enjoy the show!

Aryan Verma (Rylen) is very delighted to be making his debut with McKeesport Little Theater. Recent credits include Twelfth Night at Pittsburgh Public theater and he is scheduled to start Reefer Madness at Little Lake Theater, as well as Drunk Shakespeare By Andrew Huntley.