| appalacian_paris_program.pdf |
SPECIAL THANKS
Annmarie Duggan, Ashley Martin, Gianni Downs, Connie Markiw, the creators and contributors to the Pittsburgh Oddcast, Graham Bailey, Sean Hale, Ally Fedor, Maya Lehman, Cal Behr, Natasha Lowy, Megan Knorr, William Daw, Kirsten Ervin, Michael Russo, Jennifer Benford, Cherina Cheng, and Kimberly Amstutz.
Cast
Elizabeth Amstutz……………Ensemble
Gabriella Castrodad…….……Ensemble
Christopher Collier................ Ensemble
Valerie Davis…………………. Ensemble
El Giaudrone………………… Ensemble
Lucy Neimira………………… Ensemble
Emily Niedbala……………… Ensemble
Parker Stephans……..………Ensemble
Josh Weiner……………..……Ensemble
Gabriella Castrodad…….……Ensemble
Christopher Collier................ Ensemble
Valerie Davis…………………. Ensemble
El Giaudrone………………… Ensemble
Lucy Neimira………………… Ensemble
Emily Niedbala……………… Ensemble
Parker Stephans……..………Ensemble
Josh Weiner……………..……Ensemble
Elizabeth Amstutz (Ensemble), a freshman, is making her acting debut–an odd first experience in a virtual environment, but thrilling nonetheless! She’s invaluably honored to have a hand in building this show from scratch. Previously, she’s practiced her scenic design skills in “Bastille Day” and honed her ear for sound design in Anon(ymous). She’s learned how enthralling Oakland and Pittsburgh are, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg, so she eagerly awaits discovering more!
Gabriella Castrodad (Ensemble) is excited to be working on Appalachian Paris as her first devised project. She is a freshmen Theatre Arts/Political Science dual major. Before Appalachian Paris, she had her debut on Pitt Stages in Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties (Betty #3).
Christopher Collier (Ensemble) is a University of Pittsburgh Theater alumnus who is glad for the opportunity to work with his alma mater once more on this production. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, he worked professionally in and around the Pittsburgh area for several years. Some of his credits include Mitch in Pittsburgh Classic Players' production of A Streetcar Named Desire, Francisco and the Captain in Pittsburgh Public Theater's production of Hamlet, and Gregory and the Apothecary in PICT's production of Romeo and Juliet. Most recently he was seen in Connecticut Repertory Theatre's virtual production of Antigone as Haemon.
Valerie Davis (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making her debut in her first Pitt Stages production. She is a sophomore majoring in Media and Professional Communications with a minor in Theatre Arts. Coming up this summer, Valerie will be working full-time as a tour guide for the University.
El Giaudrone (Ensemble) is a freshman and very excited to be working on their second show at Pitt Stages! El is currently undecided in their major but wants to pursue the arts. Previously, they have been in A Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties (Betty 4).
Lucy Niemira (Ensemble) is excited to be performing in her very first Pitt Stages mainstage production! She is a first-year English Nonfiction Writing/Psychology double major, with a minor in theatre arts.
Emily Niedbala (Ensemble) is super excited to be working on her first-ever devised show. After many years doing theatre onstage and off, this is her seventh UP Stages show but is her first time performing at Pitt. Emily is a junior theatre arts and biological sciences major who is also in the ASL certificate program. As a disabled person, she is also delighted to get to work with everyone to make this project accessible.
Parker Stephens (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to Pitt Stages in his 2nd mainstage performance! He is a junior theatre arts major/music minor and has previously been seen in Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights (Boy). Parker served as a teaching assistant for the Keegan Theatre’s PLAY-RAH-KA camp in the summer of 2019. He is excited to explore the new world of theatre created in the face of this pandemic, and hopes that you enjoy the show!
Josh Weiner (Ensemble) is excited to make his final performance in a Pitt production as an undergraduate. He is a senior biology major with minors in chemistry and theater arts. After graduation in May, Josh will work in his research laboratory for a year until matriculating to medical school in 2022.
Gabriella Castrodad (Ensemble) is excited to be working on Appalachian Paris as her first devised project. She is a freshmen Theatre Arts/Political Science dual major. Before Appalachian Paris, she had her debut on Pitt Stages in Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties (Betty #3).
Christopher Collier (Ensemble) is a University of Pittsburgh Theater alumnus who is glad for the opportunity to work with his alma mater once more on this production. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, he worked professionally in and around the Pittsburgh area for several years. Some of his credits include Mitch in Pittsburgh Classic Players' production of A Streetcar Named Desire, Francisco and the Captain in Pittsburgh Public Theater's production of Hamlet, and Gregory and the Apothecary in PICT's production of Romeo and Juliet. Most recently he was seen in Connecticut Repertory Theatre's virtual production of Antigone as Haemon.
Valerie Davis (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making her debut in her first Pitt Stages production. She is a sophomore majoring in Media and Professional Communications with a minor in Theatre Arts. Coming up this summer, Valerie will be working full-time as a tour guide for the University.
El Giaudrone (Ensemble) is a freshman and very excited to be working on their second show at Pitt Stages! El is currently undecided in their major but wants to pursue the arts. Previously, they have been in A Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties (Betty 4).
Lucy Niemira (Ensemble) is excited to be performing in her very first Pitt Stages mainstage production! She is a first-year English Nonfiction Writing/Psychology double major, with a minor in theatre arts.
Emily Niedbala (Ensemble) is super excited to be working on her first-ever devised show. After many years doing theatre onstage and off, this is her seventh UP Stages show but is her first time performing at Pitt. Emily is a junior theatre arts and biological sciences major who is also in the ASL certificate program. As a disabled person, she is also delighted to get to work with everyone to make this project accessible.
Parker Stephens (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to Pitt Stages in his 2nd mainstage performance! He is a junior theatre arts major/music minor and has previously been seen in Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights (Boy). Parker served as a teaching assistant for the Keegan Theatre’s PLAY-RAH-KA camp in the summer of 2019. He is excited to explore the new world of theatre created in the face of this pandemic, and hopes that you enjoy the show!
Josh Weiner (Ensemble) is excited to make his final performance in a Pitt production as an undergraduate. He is a senior biology major with minors in chemistry and theater arts. After graduation in May, Josh will work in his research laboratory for a year until matriculating to medical school in 2022.
Crew
Director…………….….....…....Cynthia Croot
Assistant Director…….....…Alison Mahoney
Assistant Director……….…Rebecca Hobart
Dramaturg…….………................Ella Mizera
Stage Manager…….…..……Amanda Cooke
Lighting Designer………...….Michael Russo
Scenic Designer…...………..Jillian Werbisky
Sound Designer…………....Natalie Osborne
Assistant Director…….....…Alison Mahoney
Assistant Director……….…Rebecca Hobart
Dramaturg…….………................Ella Mizera
Stage Manager…….…..……Amanda Cooke
Lighting Designer………...….Michael Russo
Scenic Designer…...………..Jillian Werbisky
Sound Designer…………....Natalie Osborne
Cynthia Croot (Director) is Associate Professor and Head of Performance at the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her MFA in Directing from Columbia University and was an NEA Directing Fellow. Her practice-based research explores diverse modalities of immersive theatre, social justice activation through the arts, and intercultural performance. Croot has collaborated on projects based in the UK, South Africa, Argentina, Syria, Palestine, and Israel. Her work has been seen at dozens of venues across the US, including the Smithsonian American History Museum, the Kennedy Center, and the Guggenheim Museum.
Alison Mahoney (Assistant Director) is a first-year Ph.D. student in Theatre & Performance Studies, researching disability/neurodiversity in performance and completing an Immersive Practice Credential in devised theatre. She was the founding Artistic Director of Bluelaces Theater Company in New York City from 2015-2020, which devises immersive, multisensory theatre for autistic and developmentally disabled audiences. She holds an M.A. in Contemporary Performance Practice from Ulster University and a B.S. in Theatre & Gender Studies from Northwestern University.
Rebecca Hobart (Assistant Director) is so excited to be working on Appalachian Paris. She is a junior theatre arts major and creative writing minor. Rebecca was most recently the director and costume designer for Pitt Stages “Carrie and Francine” and the assistant director and assistant costume designer for the mainstage production, Spark.
Ella Mizera (Dramaturg) is excited to make both her mainstage and dramaturgical debut! She is a freshman theatre arts major with a French minor and has previously performed with Pitt Stages in “Bastille Day” (Nadine). Other acting credits include Macbeth (Malcolm), A Christmas Carol (Fan), and Back to the ‘80s (Laura). She is very proud of what the cast and production team have created despite the pandemic, and hopes everyone breaks a leg!
Amanda Cooke (Stage Manager) is thrilled to work on her first production with Pitt Stages. She is a first-year theatre arts and economics double-major with minors in chemistry and teaching education. Her show credits prior to attending Pitt include Seussical (Assistant Director) and “The Great American Talent Show” (Ellie Jordon). She feels lucky to have worked with an amazing team during this process!
Michael Russo (Lighting Designer) is a senior theatre arts and classical civilizations double major. Michael is excited to work on another mainstage production in his final undergraduate semester with Pitt Stages. Previous credits include, The Verge (lighting designer), She Kills Monsters VR (streaming team), Flyin ’West (master electrician), and The Wolves (assistant master electrician).
Jillian Werbisky (Scenic Designer) is excited to be working with the cast and crew of Appalachian Paris in her first mainstage head designer position. She is a junior psychology/administration of justice double major and theatre arts minor. Previous work includes "Carrie & Francine" (Scenic Designer), “Hair Waiting”/”Black & Blue” (Assistant Scenic Designer), and The Wolves (Assistant Scenic Designer). She will be working on scenic design research this summer
Natalie Osborne (Sound Designer) is ecstatic to be working as the Sound Designer for Appalachian Paris this spring. Ms. Osborne is a junior Film & Media Studies//Theatre Arts double major at the University of Pittsburgh. She has worked as Assistant Sound Designer and Assistant Sound Engineer on numerous shows at Pitt, thanks to the wonderful guidance of her peers and faculty mentors. Once more, she is one of the heads of Production for Pitt Tonight, the acclaimed late-night student talk show. She is looking forward to presenting this interactive theatrical experience to the Pitt community and to her beloved Pittsburgh!
If you enjoyed your tour, please consider a donation to the University of Pittsburgh's Theatre Arts Department. Thank you!
Alison Mahoney (Assistant Director) is a first-year Ph.D. student in Theatre & Performance Studies, researching disability/neurodiversity in performance and completing an Immersive Practice Credential in devised theatre. She was the founding Artistic Director of Bluelaces Theater Company in New York City from 2015-2020, which devises immersive, multisensory theatre for autistic and developmentally disabled audiences. She holds an M.A. in Contemporary Performance Practice from Ulster University and a B.S. in Theatre & Gender Studies from Northwestern University.
Rebecca Hobart (Assistant Director) is so excited to be working on Appalachian Paris. She is a junior theatre arts major and creative writing minor. Rebecca was most recently the director and costume designer for Pitt Stages “Carrie and Francine” and the assistant director and assistant costume designer for the mainstage production, Spark.
Ella Mizera (Dramaturg) is excited to make both her mainstage and dramaturgical debut! She is a freshman theatre arts major with a French minor and has previously performed with Pitt Stages in “Bastille Day” (Nadine). Other acting credits include Macbeth (Malcolm), A Christmas Carol (Fan), and Back to the ‘80s (Laura). She is very proud of what the cast and production team have created despite the pandemic, and hopes everyone breaks a leg!
Amanda Cooke (Stage Manager) is thrilled to work on her first production with Pitt Stages. She is a first-year theatre arts and economics double-major with minors in chemistry and teaching education. Her show credits prior to attending Pitt include Seussical (Assistant Director) and “The Great American Talent Show” (Ellie Jordon). She feels lucky to have worked with an amazing team during this process!
Michael Russo (Lighting Designer) is a senior theatre arts and classical civilizations double major. Michael is excited to work on another mainstage production in his final undergraduate semester with Pitt Stages. Previous credits include, The Verge (lighting designer), She Kills Monsters VR (streaming team), Flyin ’West (master electrician), and The Wolves (assistant master electrician).
Jillian Werbisky (Scenic Designer) is excited to be working with the cast and crew of Appalachian Paris in her first mainstage head designer position. She is a junior psychology/administration of justice double major and theatre arts minor. Previous work includes "Carrie & Francine" (Scenic Designer), “Hair Waiting”/”Black & Blue” (Assistant Scenic Designer), and The Wolves (Assistant Scenic Designer). She will be working on scenic design research this summer
Natalie Osborne (Sound Designer) is ecstatic to be working as the Sound Designer for Appalachian Paris this spring. Ms. Osborne is a junior Film & Media Studies//Theatre Arts double major at the University of Pittsburgh. She has worked as Assistant Sound Designer and Assistant Sound Engineer on numerous shows at Pitt, thanks to the wonderful guidance of her peers and faculty mentors. Once more, she is one of the heads of Production for Pitt Tonight, the acclaimed late-night student talk show. She is looking forward to presenting this interactive theatrical experience to the Pitt community and to her beloved Pittsburgh!
If you enjoyed your tour, please consider a donation to the University of Pittsburgh's Theatre Arts Department. Thank you!
