Program D
September 14-17
Things, Or, The Rothko
by Vonn Bair of San Francisco, CA
Produced by Riverfront Theater Company
A lighthearted comedy about death, "Things, Or, The Rothko" tells the story of Rachel and Gwendolyn, a mismatched pair of women who somehow connect and tell jokes about the biggest thing they have in common--both have inoperable cancers.
Vonn Scott Bair is an actor, playwright, screenwriter and amateur cookie baker based in San Francisco, California. In addition to perfecting the oatmeal, fruit & nut cookie, he has booked about 300 acting jobs, and his plays and screenplays have received almost 50 full productions. This is the world premiere of THINGS, OR THE ROTHKO.
CAST/CREW
Mahsul Yasa Yu (Gwendolyn) is very excited to be working with the Riverfront Theater Company for the first time, after performing for more than a decade in various productions in her home country, Turkey. You may recognize her as Angelica from OLDURDUGUM ADAM. She teaches yoga and pet sits when not attending classes at CCAC. She enjoys writing, especially children's stories and short fiction.
Brooke Stearns (Rachel) is thrilled to be back at the New Works Festival this vear! She was last seen in Riverfront Theater Company's production of COMPANY and in SOCIAL ANXIETY with the New Works Festival. Brooke is on the board for RTC and has loved working with the team for THINGS, OR THE ROTHKO. Working on a play with queer representation fills her with joy and she hopes you enjoy this production!
Maddie Kocur (Leigh) is thrilled to be making her New Works debut with Riverfront Theater Company! She hails from Seton Hill University with a BFA in Musical Theater (2020). Recent theater credits include Caliban in The Tempest (Poor Yorick’s Players), Mary Warren in The Crucible (Vigilance Theater Group), and Claire/ Justine in Frankenstein (Prime Stage Theater). You can catch her as Catherine in the upcoming short film Lorica with Bit-Sized Productions, directed by Benjamin Carlucci! Many thanks to her fellow cast mates, director, and crew for such a fun process! @maddie.kocur on social media!
Samantha Hawk (Sandra) is thrilled to be participating in this year’s Pittsburgh New Works Festival with Riverfront Theater Company! She has performed at many theaters in the Pittsburgh area, with some of her recent credits being THESE SHINING LIVES (Catherine) at South Park Theatre, AMELIE (Amélie U/S) at Little Lake Theater, and URINETOWN. Later this year, Samantha will be performing as Judy alongside her sister, Alexis, in WHITE CHRISTMAS at Little Lake.
Surya Ravindran (Director) is honored to be participating in PNWF for the first time! Surya serves as Artistic Director for Riverfront Theater Company. Previous staff credits include TRUE WEST and ADDAMS FAMILY with Riverfront Theater Comapny. On-Stage credits include AMELIE at Little Lake, ANYTHING GOES at Stage 62, and COMPANY at Riverfront. Thanks to the Alex, Caitlin, and the cast for their passion and participation!
Caitlin Young (Producer) is a Pittsburgh local and Duquesne alum. She is excited to be stepping behind the scenes for this year’s festival after participating as an actor in 2021 in THE DO-GOODERS with the Bobcat Players. She recently Assistant Directed GODSPELL at the Theatre Factory and has performed in shows such as KINKY BOOTS (MSTC), THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE (Prime Stage), DOUBT (Iron Horse), A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (South Park), ANYTHING GOES (Stage 62), THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL (BMTG), and COMPANY (Riverfront Theater Company). She is happy to be representing Riverfront Theater Company, where she currently serves on the board as part of their marketing team.
Alex Hagerty (Stage Manager) is excited to be back for her 2nd Pittsburgh New Works Festival, this year representing Riverfront Theater Company. She has been a stage manager for over 10 years now in the Pittsburgh area and has worked for many different community theaters in the area. Previous New Works credits include: SOCIAL ANXIETY (Program C 2021). Previous notable credits: THE ADDAMS FAMILY, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL, MR. BURNS: A POST ELECTRIC PLAY, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, VINTAGE HITCHCOCK: A LIVE RADIO PLAY. Shout out to the amazing cast for their talent and hard work, Surya and Caitlin for being an awesome team, and her husband, Ben, for being her biggest supporter.
Elena Falgione (She/Her) (Intimacy Choreographer) has been traumatized and elated by theatre since she was young and thought it would be a great idea to spend real money on a BFA in Musical Theatre from Seton Hill University. She has been finding fulfillment through Intimacy Choreography. She receives ongoing training with Theatrical Intimacy Education and Heartland Intimacy. Elena's goal has been cultivating a consent-based, trauma-informed space of acceptable risk, giving actors tools for self-advocacy and self-regulation, while mitigating the effects of power structures in the rehearsal room. If you'd like to try any of her actor-curated affirmations or de-roling guided meditations, shoot her a DM. She'll send the downloads your way. She hopes you’re finding your peace.
Resume
by Julie Loesch of Pittsburgh, PA
Produced by Split Stage Productions
Steve goes to his office one day when he discovers something strange- he has no idea what he is doing. After trying to get to the bottom of what the company's true service is, he discovers his coworkers might not know either.
Julie Loesch is excited to be working with the PGHNWF and Split Stage Productions for the first time. This is Julie's first time writing a full one-act play, so she is excited to see the show come to life. Favorite credits include Claire in PROOF, Fiddler in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and The Ghost of Christmas Present in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Julie graduated from Duquesne in 2020 and frequently worked with the Red Masquers. She would like to thank her friends and family for all of their support and Zach Reed for proofing her play.
CAST/CREW
Sarah Puhala (Denise) is excited to be making her debut with Split Stage Productions in this year’s Pittsburgh New Works Festival! Sarah appeared last year with PNWF and has also been seen in the Ohio area as Corie in BAREFOOT IN THE PARK which competed and was selected to perform at the state level of OCTA representing Trumbull New Theatre winning “Excellence in Acting” as well as appearing with a variety of other venues and films throughout the region. Sarah is a graduate of Point Park University, completing the Conservatory of Performing Arts program (COPA) and is currently pursuing her M.A. with a focus in Drama Therapy. See more credits & information on her artist website www.sarahpuhala.wordpress.com! Break a leg to all the festival cast & crew!
Declan Hines (Steve) is ecstatic to take their first acting role with Split Stage! They’ve been a jack of all trades in the behind the scenes, beginning as a tech assistant and stagehand for Stoops Ferry Productions. Most recently, they took the role of costume designer for The Heritage Players’ 2023 production of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. They can’t wait to dip their toes even further in front of (and behind) the curtain!
Kevin Bass (Marcus) is thrilled to be part of the Pittsburgh New Works Festival once again after last participating in the 2018 production of BRACE. He has been able to perform for several local Pittsburgh theaters including Little Lake Theatre, Split Stage Productions, Theatre Factory, and Apple Hill Playhouse. He is so grateful for the opportunity to work with such an insanely talented director and cast. When not moonlighting on stage, Kevin works as an engineer at Bettis Atomic Power Lab and enjoys playing tenor sax for the PT Jazz Warriors. Kevin would like to thank his lovely wife for her never-ending love and support.
Louisa Pastorius (Cammilla) is excited to make her debut at Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Coming from Tampa, Florida, she has recently gotten involved with Pittsburgh's local theatre community. Her previous appearances include include The Theatre Factory's ALMOST MAINE (Gayle) and RED HERRING (Lynn/Clerk). She has also appeared in Neil Simon's RUMORS (Cassie) and WHAT THE BELLHOP SAW (Missy Ffrench). Some of her other interests include writing, directing, improv, and voiceover work.
Claire Ivy Stoller (Director)
Nate Newell (Producer)
Rob Jessup (Producer)