RESIDENT ARTISTS

of Pittsburgh Musical Theater

Pittsburgh Musical Theater is extremely proud of our diverse, seasoned, and educated resident artists. Join us in celebrating their achievements!

Brianna Booher
(Graphic Designer)

Growing up just north of Pittsburgh, Brianna played her way through her school in jazz, symphonic, marching, and steel drum performing bands. She was also seen in the orchestra pit with her alto saxophone as a member of the musical ensemble for productions of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Seussical, Starmites, and Grease. She is an avid coffee drinker who values happiness above all else.

Brianna graduated cum laude from Robert Morris University with a B.A. in Media Arts - Graphic Design and a minor in photography. She also achieved two prestigious RMU awards: The Ambassador of Equality Award, and the Renaissance Award. She has taken photos around the world in Ireland, Florida, California, and east-coast beaches. Since graduation, she has expanded her photography to shoot headshots, engagement sessions, and is getting started in the world of wedding photography.

Bri is proud to be a part of Pittsburgh Musical Theater, which gives her the chance to express her passion for both music and art combined.

Colleen Doyno
(Executive Artistic Director)

Colleen Doyno proudly serves as the Executive Artistic Director of Pittsburgh Musical Theater. She came to PMT in 1997 as a performer and faculty member. She was promoted to Conservatory Director in 2001 and added the additional title and responsibilities of General Manager in 2003. During her tenure as Conservatory Director and General Manager, Ms. Doyno has directed and choreographed countless shows for both the Professional and Conservatory theater companies. Several of these shows have been counted as the “Best of Pittsburgh” in the annual Pittsburgh Post Gazette year in review-including the Conservatory Theater Company’s 2013 production of Miss Saigon, the first student show to be so honored.

In 2013 Colleen’s achievements were recognized with the prestigious “Woman of Integrity” award, and her commitment to mentoring young women into future leaders was honored as a finalist for the 2013 “Athena” award.

Ms. Doyno is a strong advocate for the development of the West End Community, which serves as PMT’s forever home. She has worked with the West Pittsburgh Partnership, The West End Alliance, City Council and the Mayor’s office to advance growth in the area. She also organized the West End’s efforts for the Pittsburgh Marathon that led it to be named “best in neighborhood entertainment” along the route. Ms. Doyno is also proud to produce affordable high quality Broadway style shows through PMT’s Byham Series. She has a deeply held belief in developing our children into healthy, self-assured, well-rounded individuals through the arts. This belief is at the heart of her educational philosophy and has guided the success of the conservatory under her direction.

Lisa Elliot

Lisa Elliot has been teaching, choreographing, directing and performing with both professional actors and students at Pittsburgh Musical Theater for the past twenty years. She loves working with the professional company but especially enjoys seeing the students grow and develop into working career professionals through their training at the Rauh Conservatory.

Lisa is currently on the faculty of Robert Morris University teaching musical theater Jazz and choreographs university musicals. Past choreography credits at PMT include Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, Joseph, Tarzan, Cats, Disney’s Little Mermaid, Young Frankenstein, Peter Pan and Saturday Night Fever.

Sarah Everhart

Sarah Everhart received her B.A. in dance with a concentration in ballet from Point Park University, where she graduated magna cum laude. While at Point Park she received the Pittsburgh Ballet Guild Scholarship and performed many prominent roles.

In addition to Pittsburgh Musical Theater, Sarah also teaches at Point Park University and the Dance Conservatory of Pittsburgh.

Each summer, Sarah also joins the faculty of Carnegie Mellon’s Pre College Drama Program. She has previously been on faculty at La Roche College, the Sarah Heinz House, and was guest faculty at Carnegie Mellon University. Sarah has staged several classical variations, and her original choreography has been seen throughout the area. Sarah’s favorite roles include the title role in Cinderella and Pas de Trois in Sleeping Beauty. Sarah lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, daughter, and son.

Adam Fladd

Adam Fladd was born and raised in McKean, PA – just outside of Erie – where he both performed in the marching band and instructed the front ensemble. Upon graduation from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he received a BA in voice and minor in piano, he moved back to Erie to continue performing at the Erie Playhouse and Dramashop. Some of his accredited roles are Judas (Jesus Christ Superstar), Louis (Angels in America), and The Band Leader (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson).

In 2015, Adam joined the PMT family, not only as a performer, but also as a Resident Artist. In addition to his love for teaching, Adam is extremely passionate about composing and arranging competition marching band show music, as well as creating challenging percussion ensemble and vocal pieces.

Adam is grateful for PMT and having the opportunity to work alongside and learn from the other hosts of amazing artists, all while helping these talented students grow into the professional artists they are destined to be. Matthew 6:34.

Hank Fodor

Hank Fodor is delighted to be a resident artist for PMT this year. He has performed in The Secret Garden, Children of Eden, and Jesus Christ Superstar with Stage Right Greensburg as well as Little Shop of Horrors and The Birds at The Huron Playhouse in Huron, OH.

An Indiana University of Pennsylvania Theatre graduate, Hank also works with Ramming Speed Productions, a film company in Pittsburgh, and has most recently played Adolpho Pirelli in Split Stage Productions, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Kenneth Gargaro, Ph.D.
(Founding Director)

Dr. Gargaro’s career in the performing arts in Pittsburgh spans over four decades. His dedication to the arts and to education continues to transform the local musical theater scene. Disciplined training leading to immediate testing on the public stage forms the foundation of his artistic/educational philosophy.

The outcome of this artistic vision can be seen across the nation in the Broadway, Touring, TV, Film and Entrepreneurial work of those whose educational pursuits and performing careers intersected with Dr. Gargaro’s career as a producer, director and educator. He continues to supply the youngest performers, local professionals and college students’ access to the professional stage on a regular basis by giving master classes and occasionally directing for Pittsburgh Musical Theater.

He is as well a Professor of Communication at Robert Morris University where he heads the theater and choral activites.

Chad Grubb

Chad Grubb is excited to start his second year at PMT! Originally from the DC metropolitan area, he holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: Musical Theatre from West Liberty University where he served as Director of the Musical Theatre Ensemble for the College of Arts and Communication (‘17-’18). He is currently a Master of Arts in Education student at West Liberty and plans to focus his research on course design and arts educator evaluation.

His experiences in musical theatre & music direction range from professional theatre companies, arts education programs, and universities across WV, VA, PA, OH, and TX. International experiences include tours with choral ensembles across the Republic of Ireland, Canada, and Bulgaria. Chad is a member of the Musical Theatre Educators’ Alliance and holds a Certificate of Merit in Music Direction from the Kennedy Center. Chad also serves on faculty at Pittsburgh CLO Academy and as guest music director at Angelo State University (TX).

Favorite Credits: West Virginia Public Theatre - Anything Goes, All Shook Up!; Theatre West Virginia - Footloose; Split Stage Productions - Titanic; Angelo State - American Idiot.

Allison Hannon
(Development Director)

A former Richard E. Rauh Conservatory student from 1998-2008, Allison Hannon is thrilled to serve PMT as Development Director.

Allison previously worked as Associate Director of Annual Giving at Duquesne University. Her professional experience also includes Development at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pressley Ridge Foundation. She is a graduate of the McAnulty College of Liberal Arts at Duquesne University and a current MS in Management candidate.

Allison volunteers with a number of women’s groups in the Pittsburgh area and is an 8 year member of the Literary Committee for the Young Playwright’s Festival. She believes strongly in the power of a performing arts education to help students succeed in their chosen field, but more importantly to cultivate well-rounded, caring citizens who can change the world.

Lindsay Kalbfleisch
(Marketing & Media Manager)

Lindsay’s journey as a PMT kid began in 1996 when she was cast in the children’s chorus of Evita at the Byham Theater. She quickly knew PMT would be her forever theater home! Through the years she studied at the Richard E. Rauh Conservatory and became a resident artist from 2008-2013, and returned in 2017 after living in Arizona.

Some of her favorite productions with PMT include: The Little Mermaid, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, Footloose and of course the holiday tradition, A Lyrical Christmas Carol. Other recent favorites: Louise in Gypsy, Sister Leo in Nunsense and Aurora in Kiss of the Spiderwoman.

Lindsay holds a BA in Journalism and Media Communications from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU. She truly believes and embraces the mission of PMT and loves seeing the continued accomplishments and growth of the both the students and the company.

Lindsay is thankful for her forever friends here and knows she can always come home. Be sure to follow us on social media!

Amy Kapp

Amy was born and raised just outside of Clarion, PA in the small town of Fryburg. She graduated from Clarion University with a B.M. in Piano Performance where she received the prestigious President’s Award. After taking a year off to pursue management opportunities, Amy went to East Carolina University where she studied under the tutelage of Dr. John O’Brien. Upon earning a M.M. in Piano Accompanying and Vocal Coaching, she moved to Pittsburgh.

Amy is currently the accompanist for the Chatham University choir, the StrandTastics and the music director for the cabaret series at the Mariposa Theatre. She occasionally accompanies the vocalists of Aria412 and plays at the Comtra. She has accompanied for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Point Park Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Amy is honored to be working with the students at the Pittsburgh Musical Theater.

Kevin Kocher
(Associate Technical Director)

Kevin grew up in Central PA, attended Clarion University, and received a BS in Education and Minor in Technical Theater.

Kevin has served as Technical Director for several years at South Park Theatre as well as for High School productions around Pittsburgh. He started working with PMT thanks to his wife Amber, building props and sets for several productions, and grew into a Set Designer.

Some of Kevin’s favorite designs include Sister Act (2016) and Jekyll and Hyde(2017). Kevin is also the Technical Director of the Tales & Treats Program, a student-run company through the Richard E. Rauh Conservatory.

Amber Kocher
(Box Office & Audience Services Manager, Accessibility Coordinator)

Amber Kocher hails from Pittsburgh, PA with her husband, Kevin and son, Brody. She is a graduate of Clarion University and is the Props Master, Set Dresser, Jack-of-all-Trades Resident Artist at Pittsburgh Musical Theater.

Her most recent credits with PMT include Peter Pan, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Young Frankenstein, Shrek the Musical, Les Miserables, and many more. She has also designed for Front Porch Theatricals, and South Park Theater among many more. Amber has been with the company since 2012, and looks forward to many more sensational seasons with Pittsburgh Musical Theater.

Jennifer Lybarger

Jenn was born and raised in Pittsburgh PA, where she studied Musical Theater at the Pittsburgh Playhouse Conservatory, the Richard E. Rauh Conservatory, and Graduated from Point Park University with a BA in Acting.

Post graduation she moved to New York City where she lived for the better part of the next decade. In this time, she toured North America in the companies of Crazy for You, Funny Girl and Barry Mannilow’s Copacabana. Jenn also played Rose Alvarez in an off-Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie.

While in New York, she began working in arts education as a team member for Ballet Tech (the New York City Public School for Dance), as well as through workshops and talk backs while performing Bye Bye Birdie.

She returned to my hometown of Pittsburgh in 2006 to begin teaching at Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s Richard E. Rauh Conservatory. She has also been fortunate to perform and direct with PMT over the past seven years.

Jenn became an adjunct faculty member at Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 in 2009 and has been teaching acting, musical theater, voice and speech, movement and theater history to students in grades 6-12 for the past 5 years. She is also the director of the 6-8 all school musical every fall, as well as musicals and plays for the high school theater department.

While building her teaching and directing career, she continues to work as an actress for such local companies as PMT, Pittsburgh CLO, PICT, Stage Right!, and 10 years of summer stock at West Virginia Public Theater.

Sarah Misko

A forever-student of ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, pointe and acrobatics, Sarah has been dancing since the age of three and performing on the musical theatre stage since six. Sarah studied at Shenandoah Conservatory with a focus in musical theatre performance and a minor in dance, specializing in jazz and tap. Upon graduation, Sarah spent two years with the National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof and has performed in nearly all 50 states with this and several other regional theatre and dance companies.

She is a proud teacher for both The Pittsburgh Music Theatre and The Pittsburgh CLO. She has choreographed Fiddler on the Roof Jr., Mary Poppins Jr., and Evil Dead the Musical with PMT! Her favorite job of all time is being mommy to Rosalind!

Gemma Leigh Mitchell
(Production & Logistics Manager)

Gemma Leigh was born in beautiful Arizona, and grew up just outside of Pittsburgh in Beaver County. She danced her way through school at Louise School of Dance, where she studied tap, jazz, and ballet. After school, she attended Robert Morris University where she graduated with honors, and was named in “Whose Who in American Colleges and Universities.” She was discovered at RMU while performing in West Side Story, and was asked to join Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s production team. Since 2007, Gemma has been a part of PMT’s family. She started as Assistant Stage Manager, and performer (Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast ’09-10) and quickly grew with the company to become Resident Stage Manager in 2011.

Gemma started teaching at the Richard E. Rauh Conservatory as the director of the Broadway Jrs.; “PMT’s Tiniest Stars”. She is happy to begin the journey of musical theater with the youth in Pittsburgh’s community. Gemma now chairs the Creative Learning department at PMT. Gemma believes that the Richard E. Rauh Conservatory provides the most excellent arts education in the city, and is a proud Resident Artist.

Throughout her career at PMT, Gemma has brought her knowledge and love for dance and theater to the Propel Charter Schools as a visiting artist. She taught dance, acting, theater history, and performance etiquette to grades K-8 around the Pittsburgh area.

She is happy to continue to the next chapter of Pittsburgh Musical Theater alongside her friend and mentor, Colleen Doyno, and the entire group of Resident Artists. Here, she will create her happy ending. Stand By. Keep Calm. Go.

Brady D. Patsy
(Conservatory Director)

Brady D. Patsy is a professional performer from the greater Pittsburgh area. He has performed with company’s such as Pittsburgh Musical Theater, West Virginia Public Theater, Boston’s North Shore Music Theater Company, and many others. In 2008, Brady spent a year working for the Walt Disney World Company. There, he had the opportunity to work with Regis and Kelly, Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus, Fantasia Burrino, David Cook, Jon and Kate Gosselin, and many others!

Upon returning to PA, he jumped right back on the stage and has been performing non-stop. During 2010-2012 he served as Production Administrator for Grayfin Arts Entertainment Events. He also served as an theater instructor for The Butler Center for the Performing Arts!

Brady is currently the Conservatory Director as well as an acting/voice instructor for Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s Richard E. Rauh Conservatory for the performing arts! Throughout his eight years on the professional stage he has had the opportunity to play extraordinary roles in shows such as Sister Act (Curtis), Grease (Miss Lynch), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Grimsby), Children of Eden (Father), Hairspray (Edna Turnblad), Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter), Spring Awakening (Male Authority Figure), Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), Seussical (General Schmitz), RENT (Tom Collins), Les Miserables (Javert), Cats (Bustopher Jones/Gus) Legally Blonde, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Tarzan, and many others!

Marin Rose

Marin Rose is a native of Dallas, TX but currently calls Pittsburgh home. Marin has toured both Nationally and Internationally with Lightwire Theater, performed regionally with Pittsburgh Musical Theater, Cumberland Theatre, the community company of Ronald K. Brown/Evidence (Pittsburgh), Courdance, and at Busch Gardens (Tampa). She has also performed and trained at The Ailey School (NYC), Interlochen Center for the Arts (MI) and the American Dance Festival (NC).

Choreography credits include Stagedoor Manor, the Distinguished Young Women programs, feature film “The Beacon,” behind the scenes with Suffolk Dance, and numerous studios and dance schools. Marin Rose graduated Cum Laude in 3 years with a B.F.A. in Dance from Point Park University. When Marin isn’t performing, you can find her in a studio teaching and sharing her passion for dance with students!

Mandie Russak

Mandie Russak started her love of performing at age 3 when she started taking ballet. She first found her voice singing the star spangled banner at a chorus concert. Since then, musical theatre has been her life. She went to Stage Right! In Greensburg for 7 years. After graduating from Norwin High School, she attended Point Park University where she received a BA in Musical Theatre. Since then, she has worked with RWS doing theme park shows (maybe you saw her at Idlewild) and industrial contracts, various theater companies around town (Split Stage Productions Chicago as Roxie Hart, Cabaret as the Emcee. Comtra Theater Peter Pan as Peter Pan. Stage Right Billy Elliot as dead mum. PMT Young Frankenstein and Little Mermaid as Adella), some short films, and a couple of tours. She toured nationally with The Producers and internationally with My Fair Lady in China.

Now she is back at her home away from home: PMT! Teaching at Propel schools, or in the studio with the tweens, MTW on Saturdays, subbing classes and choreographing, she couldn’t be happier! Thank you to her PMT family for adopting her into one of the happiest homes ever!

Jonathan Sage
(Technical Director)

Jon was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. While studying at Michigan State University, Jon discovered his passion for the theater when he worked on the Merchant of Venice with the Theater Department. This passion lead Jon to earn his BFA in Theater from Michigan State University.

Jon worked with The Ohio Light Opera for four summer seasons on such productions as Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, Offenbach’s Bluebeard, and The Sound of Music. In 2007, Jon joined the Pittsburgh Musical Theater as Technical Director. Jon has showcased his experience as a Technical Director in Tarzan; as a Lighting Designer for A Lyrical Christmas Carol; and as a Scene Design Specialist for Shrek the Musical. In 2011, Jon received a glowing review for his scene design in Skylight at The Appetite Theater in Chicago.

Jon enjoys working with the students at the Pittsburgh Musical Theater and is looking forward to what the future will bring.

Brady Sanders

Brady Sanders, originally from Oswego Illinois, began his dance training at the School of DanceWest Ballet in Naperville. He attended Illinois State University, where he performed with the Illinois State Dance Theater and Point Park University, where he performed with the university’s Conservatory Dance Company. While living in Chicago, Brady performed with Dansz Loop Chicago, Inaside Chicago Dance and Thodos Dance Chicago.

Brady has toured nationally and internationally with Thodos Dance Chicago and The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Currently residing in Pittsburgh, he has had the pleasure to perform with Attack Theatre in the Pittsburgh Opera as well as the Murphy/Smith Dance Collective.

Most recently Brady acted as Artistic Director for the Pride of Cincinnati Dance Ensemble. He has had the privilege to teach many successful and artistically innovative groups including but not limited to - The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, the Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard, The Pride of Cincinnati Dance Ensemble, Norwin High School, Marian Catholic High School, and Mt Prospect High School.

He is currently teaching and choreographing extensively throughout the Pittsburgh area and across the Midwest. Brady is thrilled to be a Resident Artist at PMT.

Erin Seaberg

Erin has been honing her skills in theater for the past several years. Originally a dancer at Ken & Jean Dance Studio and Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, Erin blended her dancing with her many years of acting experience, bringing about a perfect marriage of her two passions.

Erin’s evolution from theater into education happened when she attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and obtained her degree in Elementary Education. She added this skill into the mix and taught acting, musical theater and dance classes at many schools in the Pittsburgh area.

Currently, Erin sits on the Dance, Theater and Film Advisory Board for Community College Of Allegheny County and two community theater Board of Directors.

Pittsburgh Musical Theater has had a special place in her heart for the past 12 years. She is grateful for the experiences she gained here and is lucky to be part of this family and have made forever friends.

Kate Toole
(Controller)

Kate Toole has a B.A. in Communication/Theater, a B.S.B.A in Accounting, and an M.S. in Instructional Leadership from Robert Morris University.

She has had the distinct pleasure of appearing in so many wonderful PMT productions since moving to Pittsburgh in 2007. Some of her favorite moments onstage with PMT include Oz in We Will Rock You, Wendla in Spring Awakening, and Jane in Tarzan.

She is happy to be working with the students of PMT as an educator and resident artist. Kate values the mentorship and education she received from the many brilliant teachers and performers she’s had the opportunity to study under throughout her life; she is thrilled to join the ranks of PMT’s staff and become an active part of the development of many more brilliantly talented performers!

Francesca Tortorello
(Resident Music Director)

Francesca Tortorello (DMA) has music directed many recent productions at PMT including Chicago, Annie, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, A Lyrical Christmas Carol, Newsies and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She also teaches multiple classes for the pre-college program at the Richard E. Rauh Conservatory.

Dr. Tortorello is also an accomplished classical musician and performs with a variety of instrumentalists and singers. She frequently collaborates with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony, and has also worked with members of Cleveland Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. A dedicated teacher and coach, she has maintained an active piano teaching studio for the past fifteen years.

Dr. Tortorello began piano lessons at the age of four in her hometown of Mount Kisco, NY. She holds a Bachelors degree in Piano Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music where she studied with Antonio Pompa-Baldi. Her true passion, however, has always been chamber music and she received a Masters degree and Professional Studies certificate in Collaborative Piano from CIM, studying with Virginia Weckstrom. She also holds a Doctorate in Collaborative Piano and Coaching at the University of Minnesota and studied with Timothy Lovelace.

Francesca and her husband, Pittsburgh Symphony cellist Michael DeBruyn, have been performing as a professional duo since 2004.

Nicole Uram

Nicole Uram is a proud graduate of Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s Richard E. Rauh Conservatory and a recent graduate of Elon University with a BFA in Music Theatre. She has been training in dance since the age of 3 in the fields of jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, Cechetti, pointe, modern, Theatre dance, and Gymnastics. She started training at PMT at the age of 10. From the age of 8 to the age of 18 she was privileged to be a part of many shows with both the conservatory and professional companies of PMT.

While at Elon she was lucky enough to have been a part of many productions both on stage and behind the scenes. She was given the chance to Assistant Choreograph the main stage productions of Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party and Ragtime along side her college mentor.

She is currently working as a Creative Arts teacher at the Propel Charter School’s of Pittsburgh. She is thrilled to be back home working with those who helped shape her into the artist she is today.

Kathy Wayne

Kathy Wayne received her B.A. in dance from Point Park University.

Her professional credits include Tokyo Disneyland, Caesar’s Atlantic City, the Pittsburgh Playhouse and the Extention Dance Company.

Kathy has extensive teaching experience and has directed and choreographed numerous musicals in the Pittsburgh area.

Joe York

Joe York graduated from New York University with an MFA in Musical Theatre Playwriting and Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance.

He has been seen on stage at various professional theaters across the country having performed in Les Miserables at White Plains Performing Arts Center, 1776 at Cortland Repertory Theater, Bat Boy and Jesus Christ Superstar at Keystone Repertory Theater, Little Shop of Horrors at The Huron Playhouse, and Sweeney Todd: Heavy Metal Version at Landless Theatre Company.

As a musical writer, he has created works performed in New York and Pennsylvania at various theatrical companies, including two New York Equity staged readings. Some of his original musicals include The Trees, Light up!, and Discovering Eden.

Keep theater alive and rock the arts! \../(-_-)\../