From their website:
"The Pittsburgh New Works Festival has been dedicated to producing new plays from all over the world for (over 30) years! From comedy to drama and traditional to cutting edge, there’s always something for everyone to love. Presented by some of the Pittsburgh region’s theatre companies and top-notch acting talent from all corners of the region, this 5 week long New Works Festival is not to be missed!
All performances are held at Genesius Theater at Duquesne University, located at 1225 Seitz Street Pittsburgh, PA 15282."
"The Pittsburgh New Works Festival has been dedicated to producing new plays from all over the world for (over 30) years! From comedy to drama and traditional to cutting edge, there’s always something for everyone to love. Presented by some of the Pittsburgh region’s theatre companies and top-notch acting talent from all corners of the region, this 5 week long New Works Festival is not to be missed!
All performances are held at Genesius Theater at Duquesne University, located at 1225 Seitz Street Pittsburgh, PA 15282."
R-ACT has been producing shows with the PNWF since 2014:
2025 The Head of Seamus Delaney by Ben Scranton (directed by Larry Spinnenweber)
2024 January by Sarah Schreck (directed by Dave Joseph)
2023 Still it Moves by Jeff DeSantis (directed by Mike Nelson)
2022 Animal Attraction by Betsy Landau (directed by Mike Nelson)
2021 The Confession by Mike Kosarowich (directed by Dave Joseph)
2019 Eternal Hellfire and Damnation: A Love Story by Maury Zeff (directed by Mike Nelson)
2018 An Unexpected Mourner by Michael Wolfson (directed by Mike Nelson)
2017 Destiny is a Careless Waiter by Julie Zaffarano (directed by Mike Nelson)
2016 My Strange Journey by William Newkirk (directed by Mike Nelson)
2015 The Girl in the Washroom by Bella Poynton(directed by Mike Nelson)
2014 Shadows by Austin Uram (directed by Mike Nelson)
2025 The Head of Seamus Delaney by Ben Scranton (directed by Larry Spinnenweber)
2024 January by Sarah Schreck (directed by Dave Joseph)
2023 Still it Moves by Jeff DeSantis (directed by Mike Nelson)
2022 Animal Attraction by Betsy Landau (directed by Mike Nelson)
2021 The Confession by Mike Kosarowich (directed by Dave Joseph)
2019 Eternal Hellfire and Damnation: A Love Story by Maury Zeff (directed by Mike Nelson)
2018 An Unexpected Mourner by Michael Wolfson (directed by Mike Nelson)
2017 Destiny is a Careless Waiter by Julie Zaffarano (directed by Mike Nelson)
2016 My Strange Journey by William Newkirk (directed by Mike Nelson)
2015 The Girl in the Washroom by Bella Poynton(directed by Mike Nelson)
2014 Shadows by Austin Uram (directed by Mike Nelson)
PNWF 2025 -
THE HEAD OF SEAMUS DELANEY
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
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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. CAST/CREW Larry Spinnenweber (Director) Amy Joseph (Producer) Tammy Van Evera (Stage Manager) Bruce Travers (Keegan Deegan) Apryl Peroney (Maureen Looney) James Shoberg (Jack Looney) Heather Ruppert (Mary Deegan) Cameron Smith (Seamus Delany) 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/CREWLarry 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. R-ACT offers many thanks to the Robinson Market District at Settler’s Ridge for their generosity! We’re grateful to have the opportunity to rehearse in their space and appreciate their support of the arts in our community. 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. |
PNWF 2024 - JANUARY
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R-ACT Theatre Productions presents...
January by Sarah Schreck Pittsburgh New Works Festival - Program D Genesius Theater at Duquesne University September 12-15, 2024 January by Sarah Schreck produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions Jennifer and her daughter Dee stand in line at an anime convention to meet Lina, Dee's favorite voice actor and hero, who is more connected to the duo than they think. In a slice-of-life narrative that spans time and generations, this tag team navigate what it means to have and lose a hero, the enduring bond between mother and daughter, and the role that art plays in helping us connect with others through time. Much has to come undone for Jennifer and Dee, as well as Jenny and Desiree, to come to terms with the danger and heartbreak of seeing others - and being seen themselves. CAST/CREW Dave Joseph (Director) Amy Joseph (Producer) Tammy VanEvera (Stage Manager) Mary-Cait Cox (Jennifer) Kat Bowman (Dee) Kaitlin Cliber (Desiree) Maxine Coltin (Jenny) MEET THE CAST |
REHEARSAL PHOTOS |
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
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PNWF 2023 - STILL IT MOVES
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Still It Moves
by Jeff DeSantis of Baden, PA Produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions There once was this guy who found out that the earth revolved around the sun instead of the other way around. This was an incredible, world-changing discovery, and as such, it was naturally treated as "fake news" and he was soundly denounced for it. It's the night before his trial, and he's not going to take it lying down, but even in the 17th century, the truth has a lot to overcome if it's going to see the light of day. STILL IT MOVES is history viewed through a modern prism. Jeff DeSantis is from Baden PA and has had his work performed in several previous Pittsburgh New Works Festivals. He cut his teeth writing sketch comedy in the 90's for the Cellar Dwellers. CAST/CREWR. Philip Hilf (Galeleo) is thrilled to be making his Pittsburgh New Works Festival debut with R-ACT! A recent favorite role was Ben in LAST OF THE BOYS at Greensburg Civic Theatre. He has had a blast getting to know Galileo in Jeff Desantis's wonderful new play! James Michael Shoberg (Maffeo) is celebrating his 15th 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 22nd year. His writing credits include numerous fringe plays, monologues, and poems. In 2016, horror writer/director Tom Holland tapped him to write, produce, and direct an official stage play adaptation of the 1985 vampire film FRIGHT NIGHT, which premiered October 2018 in Pittsburgh, and has since been produced in Florida and Prague. Heather A. Johnson (Virginia) is excited to make her Pittsburgh New Works Festival debut in STILL IT MOVES. Most recently she played Mona in PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE with Stage Warp Productions. Ever since she was cast as the lead in her second-grade play, she has felt that the world “rotates” around her. She appreciates her friends and family for dealing with her drama on and off stage. As a pharmacist and professor in her day job, she is thankful to R-ACT Theatre Productions and writer Jeff Desantis for giving her the opportunity to show the audience that science always prevails. Matt Solter (Ben) is absolutely jazzed to be part of the New Works festival again! He's previously worked with The Theatre Factory (PAINT CHIPS) and The Heritage Players (OEDIPUS, BUT BETTER) at PNWF. You can usually find him at Arcade Comedy Theater where he teaches, coaches, produces, and performs improv comedy. Thanks to everyone at R-ACT for being top-drawer people to work with! Enjoy the show, y'all. Mike Nelson (Director) is a founder of R-ACT and has been acting, directing and advocating for the performing arts in Beaver and Allegheny Counties for over 35 years. He has a degree in Theatre Arts and Music. Mike has been in films and commercials. R-ACT directing credits include CREATION OF THE WORLD AND OTHER BUSINESS, FRACTURED FAIRY TALES and THE RAINMAKER. This is Mike's 8th year participating in PNWF and he is excited to have the opportunity to direct again working with such talented actors and fellow artists. Amy Joseph (Producer) is excited to participate with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival! Amy most recently performed in LOVE LETTERS (Melissa); favorite roles include THE BOOK OF LIZ (Liz) and FIVE TELLERS DANCING IN THE RAIN (Delores) all with R-ACT Theatre. She is currently serving as board President with Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Amy is a Banker by day at Mars Bank and lives in Monaca with her family. Tammy Van Evera (Stage Manager) has stage managed for the PNWF for 6 years. Once the Pittsburgh New Works Festival wraps up, Tammy will begin directing R-ACT Theatre Productions radio show, DRACULA. Shout out to her run buddy Lillian!! What's a run buddy, visit whoirun4.com for additional information. |
PNWF 2022 - ANIMAL ATTRACTION
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Animal Attraction by Betsy Landau of Louisville, KY
produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions |
PNWF 2021
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The Confession by Mike Kosarowich of Camp Hill, PA
produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions |
PNWF 2019 -
ETERNAL HELLFIRE AND DAMNATION:
A LOVE STORY
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Eternal Hellfire and Damnation: A Love Story by Maury Zeff
San Francisco, CA produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions When the Roman god of the underworld Dis kidnaps Proserpina, a young maiden, and spirits her to Hades as his bride, her mother Ceres is none too pleased. As the god of the harvest, Ceres has some leverage. But when she heads down to Hades to confront Dis and rescue her daughter, she finds Proserpina enjoying her newfound freedom. As Ceres and Dis negotiate Proserpina's fate, Proserpina makes plans of her own, involving a music festival and a guy named Sisyphus who, against all odds, has finally gotten that stupid boulder up that stupid hill. Maury Zeff is a writer whose plays have been produced in the Best of PlayGround, The World's Funniest Play Competition, ShortLived, the Planet Earth Arts Festival, the Vermont State Drama Festival, and elsewhere, and whose fiction has been published in Southern California Review, American Fiction 2012, Embark, and elsewhere. He has directed plays for PlayGround, Ross Valley Players, and in the Berkeley Rep Theatre Lab. Maury has an MFA (Long Fiction) from the University of San Francisco and has received fellowships from the San Francisco Writers Grotto and the PlayGround theatre company. |
PNWF 2018 - AN UNEXPECTED MOURNER
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An Unexpected Mourner by Michael Wolfson
Valley Village, CA produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions David Ellis has been hired as a "shomer" - someone in Orthodox Jewish tradition whose job it is to pray over the dead in the hours before burial. Having never done anything like it before, David finds the prospect of spending the night in a mortuary reading Psalms to the departed a somewhat daunting undertaking. After his employer has instructed him in the intricacies of the job, David is left alone to "keep the dead company". Soon, though, he is interrupted by an unexpected mourner whose sudden appearance and unusual attitude adds to David's growing sense of discomfort. When a second mourner appears, things rapidly spin out of control, with music, dancing and seduction filling the air. When morning finally comes, David finds that he has acquired an entirely new appreciation of both life and death. Michael Wolfson's work includes “Undue Influence”, L.A. Theatre Works (CA). “A Paradise Of Fools”, Detroit Repertory Theatre (MI).“The Prisoners Dilemma”, Pittsburgh New Works Festival (PA) and Vital Theatre (NYC). “Legerdemain”, Ashland New Plays Festival (OR); Asylum Theatre (NV) and Lake County Repertory Theater (CA). “Work And Play”, Spokane Civic Theatre (WA). “Party Time”, Little Theatre of Alexandria (VA). “Watch Your Language”, Stagecrafters (MI). “Thinking Outside The Box”, Pittsburgh New Works Festival (PA). “Word Play”, Brief Acts Company (NYC) and Road Theatre (CA). “Cat And Mouse”, Bridewell Theatre (London, England) and Penobscot Theatre Company (ME). “A Senior Moment”, Pittsburgh New Works Festival (PA) and Geneva Theatre Guild (NY). “Wishful Thinking”, Brief Acts Company (NYC). “Out- Of-Order”, Eclectic Company Theatre (CA). “The Green Eyed Monster”, Pittsburgh New Works Festival (PA). “T.G.I.F.”, Starlite Players (FL) and Silver Spring Stage (MD). |
PNWF 2017 -
DESTINY IS A CARELESS WAITER
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Destiny is a Careless Waiter by Julie Zaffarano
Broomall, PA Produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions Sean invites Emily to dinner to propose marriage. He brings his grandmother’s engagement ring to the restaurant and instructs the server to place the ring in Emily’s dessert. Justin invites Bria to the same restaurant at the same time, planning to break up with her. When the engagement ring intended for Emily ends up in Bria’s dessert, the chaos begins. Julie Zaffarano is an emerging playwright in the Philadelphia area. Her play, The PlayMakers, was named the Winner in the 2016 What If? Productions Annual Playwrights Festival and is scheduled to be produced in Charleston, June 2017. Other recent readings: A Work in Progress Theatre, Baltimore; “Readings at the Drake” PlayPenn series (Wilma Theatre, Philadelphia); Philadelphia Dramatists Center Playwrights Showcase; Cloverdale Playhouse “Page to Stage Contest. She has also received an Honorable Mention from the Ohio State University New Play Fest, and has been recognized as a Finalist for the Villanova University 2016 Sue Winge Playwriting Competition, 2016 Finalist for the Strange Sun Theatre Greenhouse, and Semi-Finalist for Actors Theatre of Charlotte Nuvoices. Her newest work, Kentucky Lemonade, was selected for a reading as part of the PDC Readings Series. Julie holds two Masters Degrees: MA in Classical Studies and an MS in Organization Science from Villanova University. |
PNWF 2016 - MY STRANGE JOURNEY
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My Strange Journey by William Newkirk
Celebration, FL Produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions Lisa Murphy, an author in her 50’s, has had a string of unpublished manuscripts. Her new book, however, My Strange Journey, which deals with overcoming her abusive childhood, has received a National Book Award nomination. W. L. Newkirk is best known as a playwright. His recently-written, award-winning stage plays include East Lansing (Winner, Best Play, 2014 Tampa Bay Theatre Festival), 5 to 4 (Winner, Best Play, 2015 4 X 6 Fest), and In Me (Winner, 2015 Vigoda Award, Best Dramedy). He has degrees from the Ohio State University (Medicine) and Harvard University (Government), where he was a John Harvard Scholar and Lecturer. He has received awards for his contributions to the arts and sciences, including Recognition from the Daniel Hanley Trust for “Courage, Leadership and Innovation.” He is a member of the Dramatists Guild. |
PNWF 2015 - THE GIRL IN THE WASHROOM
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The Girl in the Washroom by Bella Poynton
Williamsville, NY Produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions Set in 1961 after an unfortunate event in a New York City alleyway, Daisy and Stanley decide to spend the evening recovering in a nearby hotel . The evening becomes one of confessions and realizations as the two women discover that they’re situation is much more serious than initially suspected. The women are forced to come face to face with the great failures in their lives, their constant state of unhappiness, and the still present social class structure of the United States in the early 1960s. Bella Poynton is a playwright and theater artist from Buffalo, NY. Her Plays have been developed at the Great Plains Theater Conference, The Barrow Group, The Science Fiction Theater Company, Road Less Traveled Productions, and the Women’s Work Lab at New Perspectives Theatre. Her play, Pope Joan was a regional finalist at KCACTF, and produced at New World Stages in 2009. Bella’s play Speed of Light was will have its World Premiere production at Road Less Traveled Productions in 2015. Last year, The Aurora Project was produced at The Science Fiction Theater Company in Boston, Otherworld Theater in Chicago. Other recent honors include the Original Shorts Festival at Theatre du Mississippi and the 8th Annual New Works Festival at Panndora Productions where her play Medusa Undone will be produced in spring, 2015. Bella is the playwright in Residence at Otherworld Theatre Company in Chicago and is a teaching artist at Syracuse Stage. BFA Acting, Boston University. MFA Playwriting University of Iowa. |
PNWF 2014 - SHADOWS
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Shadows by Austin Uram
Renfrew, PA Produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions A young artist struggles to finish a portrait after his model dies. When he begins seeing her spirit roaming the studio, he attempts to use the opportunity to finish the painting—at the cost of his sanity. Austin Uram‘s works have been performed at the Butler Night of One Acts and produced as a short film by local filmmakers. He is a writer, director, actor, and student in the Butler area, working with theaters like the Butler Little Theatre. Austin studies Professional Writing at Slippery Rock University. |