RESIDENT ARTISTS

Chandler Bingham started her training in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary ballet at an early age. Chandler was accepted into the Conservatory of Performing Arts (C.O.P.A.) - Dance Program at Point Park University and graduated with a B.A. in Dance and a minor in History. She has performed choreography by; Staycee Pearl, Daniel Karasik, Kiki Lucas, David Norsworthy, Kaylin Horgan, Shana Simmons, and many others.

Chandler has also performed in stage / film work with Bricolage Production Company, Rashaad Newsome, and Allana Clarke, as a dance artist. Chandler has been a featured background actor in several Netflix movies and series productions.

In addition to being a multidisciplinary performance artist, she is a published model who has been featured in Pittsburgh Magazine and recently in 'Minding the Gap, Waiting in the Wings' a book that features dance artist and mental health, through the pandemic. Chandler is a Virtual Global Instructor with Juntos Collective teaching internationally at places such as Nicaragua. Chandler has been a Company Dance Artist with Staycee Pearl Dance Project & Soy Sos since 2019, succeeding her apprenticeship in 2018. As a dance / teaching artist Chandler has performed with the company in Pittsburgh and also multiple states. Chandler also enjoys teaching, choreographing, and working with local dance academies and youth theatre companies.

Ben Brosche is a free-lancing pianist, accompanist, and music director in Pittsburgh, PA, has performed nationally and internationally.

In the Pittsburgh theater scene, Ben has been involved in multiple productions working with CLO, Pittsburgh Public, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, The New Hazlett Theater, Pittsburgh University Theater Dept., Stage 62, Comtra, and others working in multiple positions throughout various productions. Ben worked as music director for the New Hazlett's production of Monteze Freeland and Michael Meketa's Kalopsia. He has been piano conductor for multiple University of Pittsburgh musicals since 2018. Ben was music director of Stage 62's Mamma Mia, which won Pittsburgh's “Best of the Burgh.” Ben has worked for CLO as music assistant for SPARK festival as well as shows in the Cabaret (Game On and Double Threat Trio). Ben performed with the talented pit of Pittsburgh Public for Little Shop of Horrors, music directed by John McDaniel and piano conducted by Catie Brown.

In the Jazz scene, Ben has worked with a variety of musicians in the city such as: The Boilermaker Jazz Band, Mike Tomaro, Tom Wendt, Jeff Bush, Tony Depaolis, The Bliel Brothers, Artistree, Lee Robinson, and ISKA. Ben performed with the Mid Atlantic Big Band under the direction of Ted Nash (2016) and Delfeayo Marsalis (2017) at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola in New York City. As a child he was selected to represent the Yamaha Music Education Systems Corporate division to perform his original compositions in New Jersey, Washington DC, California (Biola), Arizona, Canada, and at the NAMM show in Anaheim, California.

Ben received his BM in at James Madison University and his MM at Duquesne University. At JMU, he performed in masterclasses and worked with John Hollenbeck, Theo Bleckman, Bobby McFerrin, Nate Smith, and Branford Marsalis. Ben is excited to be a part of the PMT team!

Brecken Newton Farrell was most recently seen as Scott in PMT's production of Evil Dead the Musical, and Jesus in PMT's production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Other notable credits with the company include Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Brecken is the lead singer for the rock band “Letters to Violet” and is also a private vocal coach. He would like to thank God, his family, and his friends for their unwavering support. Brecken dedicates his life's work to his late grandparents, Elmer and Joanne Lauster, who loved nothing more than watching him perform. Isaiah 40:31

Education / College / Where From: PMT Conservatory YPI (PCP) Program, Point Park University
Favorite musical: I hope to someday be able to give a straightforward answer. Favorite PMT show? Grease! (2005)
Favorite junk food: Pizza
First time teaching at PMT or / how many years have you been with PMT?: I have been with PMT since 1998, taught 2005-2009-ish and since 2021.
What are you looking forward to most about teaching at PMT? Passing down the skills I picked up here to the next generation!

Mr. Herman has appeared on Broadway in Contact, A Chorus Line (Mike), Leader of the Pack, Song and Dance (First National Tour), Big Bad Burlesque (Off-Broadway), Die Soldaten (NYC Opera) and was the associate choreographer for Michael Bennett's Pre-Broadway Workshops of Scandal.

A recipient of the Jeff Award (Chicago), the After Dark Award (Chicago) and the B. Iden Payne Award (Austin, TX), Mr. Herman has directed and/or choreographed World Premier musicals at the Goodman (Chicago), Long Wharf (New Haven), Zipper Theater (NYC), Ford's Theater (Washington, D.C.), City Theatre (Pittsburgh), Playwrights Horizons (NYC), George Street Playhouse (New Brunswick, NJ), Directors Company (NYC), Theaterfest (Upper Montclair, NJ), Bottom Line (NYC), The Rep (Nashville), The Royal George (Chicago), LA Children's Theater, Naked Angels Theater Company (NYC) as well as dozens of other Broadway Musical Classics all over the country.

Mr. Herman choreographed George Lucas Super Live Adventure (Japanese Tour), Jane Fonda Workouts (Designed by Theoni Aldredge, Shubert Theater, NYC), Tabaluga and Lilli (2 European Tours), the 1987 national tour of Dreamgirls, and the movie Two Step. Mr. Herman directed and choreographed Madhattan (New York, New York Hotel & Casino, Vegas), Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus (3 International Editions), Rugrats - A Live Adventure (2 World Tours) and the acclaimed Dreamgirls - the 20th Anniversary Benefit Concert for The Actors' Fund.

Regina Kettering, PhD: Regina joins Pittsburgh Musical Theater as Artist/Music Director in Residence. Past credits include Mary Poppins (Chartiers Valley SD), Shrek (West Mifflin SD), and Phantom of the Opera (Blackhawk SD). She has been Organist/Music Director at multiple Pittsburgh churches over the past 15 years. The adaptability and flexibility required for organ translate well to the dialogue between pit and stage.

Classically trained by Anne Liva and Michael Popick, Regina started playing piano at 4. She performed publicly at 8, and accompanied choirs by the age of 10. In high school, she memorized the equivalent of a Master's level recital, playing Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and more. Moving to Pittsburgh allowed her to learn the king of instruments - organ - from Craig Dobbins, Music Director of Sewickley Presbyterian Church. She performed the last public recital at Heinz Chapel, playing music composed by women from 1500-2020 on International Women's Day.
Regina is an active member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. She earned a PhD from the University of Pittsburgh in protein crystallography.

Amber hails from Pittsburgh, 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 and theater mom at PMT. Her most favorite credits with PMT include Evil Dead: The Musical, Disney's Newsies, The Little Mermaid, Shrek, and more. Amber has been with the company since 2012, and is looking forward to many more seasons with PMT.

Kevin is the PMT Conservatory Technical Director. He has set designed several shows at Pittsburgh Musical Theater including The Music Man Jr., Sister Act, Jekyll and Hyde, We Will Rock You, and Newsies. He has also worked in various other technical positions at PMT and PMT Conservatory such as sound designs for Evil Dead the Musical (2019), Hunchback of Notre Dame (2019), and A Lyrical Christmas Carol (2019). Over the past several years as the resident artist with the Teen Performance Intensive Program helping to educate students in technical theater design and application. Kevin attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and studied theatrical design and direction. He is eager to continue to work with the students and professionals at PMT!

Education / College / Where From: I'm originally from the Philadelphia area, but came to Pittsburgh to attend Pitt and never left!
Favorite musical: Fun Home
Favorite junk food: You can't beat sour cream and onion chips!
First time teaching at PMT or / how many years have you been with PMT?: This is my 2nd year with PMT.
What are you looking forward to most about teaching at PMT? PMT is such a special place. I love our approach to arts education - where students leave the program both prepared for professional theatre, but also with fully developed interpersonal skills and the confidence to take on life's challenges both on and off the stage.

Education / College / Where From: Carnegie Mellon / Chicago, IL
Favorite musical: Urinetown
Favorite junk food: Pizza, chips, ice cream
First time teaching at PMT or / how many years have you been with PMT?: I've been with PMT for 1.5 years.
What are you looking forward to most about teaching at PMT? Working with the students!

Recent credits: CATS National Tour (final two years), Evita (Casa Manana), Music Man (John W. Engeman), CATS (Casa Manana), Hello Dolly (TBTS), A Chorus Line (TBTS), Urban Cowboy (TUTS), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Casa Manana), Disney Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruise Line. Larry is blessed to say he has performed all over the country and world. He gives all glory to God Universe. Thanks and love to his parents, his loving partner, Zack Woods, his Pittsburgh family and friends and the entire creative team at PMT!

Favorite PMT credits include: The Sound of Music, Legally Blonde, Les Miserables, Cinderella, Shrek, Sister Act, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, Miss Saigon, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Gemma has been a part of PMT's family, serving as Production & Logistics Manager and proud Actor's Equity Member for PMT's Professional Company and PMT Conservatory Productions. Gemma has been seen serving on the production teams at South Park Theatre, Robert Morris Colonial Theatre, Freedom Area High School, and Plum Borough High School.
Keep up with Gemma by following @missgemmamitch

Nick Mitchell is thrilled to be spending another semester alongside the incredibly talented students and Artists at PMT. After a brief stint in NYC, Nick moved to Pittsburgh 15 years ago where he found both an artistic family and his amazing wife, Miss Gemma! He is an active actor/director in the Greater Southwest Pennsylvania region. Directing highlights at PMT include Evil Dead: The Musical and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Locally, he also directed the critically acclaimed productions of Bright Star for Front Porch Theatricals and Assassins at Stage 62. When not acting or directing, Nick is an avid arts educator. He has taught here at The Conservatory at PMT, as well as at the Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Propel, and Plum High School. He is also building and maintaining his own private acting and coaching studio. Nick studied Musical Theater at Oklahoma City University, continued his education at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, and is currently taking classes with Z/A Studios.

Caroline Nicolian is a Pittsburgh native and has been performing for over 15 years. Her favorite credits include Francesa in The Bridges of Madison County (Carrnivale Theatrics), Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music (Pittsburgh Musical Theater), Mayor Babs/Ma Ferd in The Toxic Avenger (PCLO), Casey in First Date the Musical (PCLO), Jaques Brel is Alive and Well... (PICT), Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre (PPU Conservatory), Side by Side by Sondheim (PCLO), and Eve/Mama Noah in Children of Eden (The Strand). She is a member of Actor's Equity and received her B.F.A. in Musical Theater from Point Park University, where she met her wonderful husband/favorite scene partner.

Education / College / Where From:B.A. Point Park University
Favorite musical: Les Misérables
Favorite junk food: Wings
First time teaching at PMT or / how many years have you been with PMT?: This is my 2nd year teaching with PMT.
What are you looking forward to most about teaching at PMT? I had a lot of great teachers and role models when I was a student, I hope to provide the same for the students at PMT. I want to impart my knowledge and experience to the next generation of theatre artists.

Education / College / Where From: From Cleveland, Ohio. Went to Slippery Rock University
Favorite musical: Cats! - I'm a cat lady and a dancer. It's the best of both worlds!
Favorite junk food: Anything cheesey!
First time teaching at PMT or / how many years have you been with PMT?: This is my 3rd year with PMT.
What are you looking forward to most about teaching at PMT? I'm looking forward to seeing all of my students grow into more confident, energized, and experienced performers!

Education / College / Where From:From Pittsburgh, PA. Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from DePaul University of Chicago, IL. Master of Music degree with emphasis in Accompanying from Southwestern Seminary of Ft. Worth, TX.
Favorite musical: Fiddler on the Roof has been my favorite musical since I was a child.
Favorite junk food: Anything chocolate!
First time teaching at PMT or / how many years have you been with PMT?: This is my 1st time teaching at PMT.
What are you looking forward to most about teaching at PMT? I'm excited to be part of the PMT team to train and encourage the young artists to be the best that they can be!

LaTrea Rembert is a Pittsburgh artist who has worked with the STAYCEE PEARL dance project for the past three seasons. Originally from Cincinnati, LaTrea is a graduate of Point Park University where he obtained his B.A. in Theater Arts while minoring in dance. LaTrea has worked with several local theater companies such as The REP, City Theater, Pittsburgh Playwrights and Pittsburgh Musical Theater. He has also had the opportunity to work with Anthony Williams (Loving Black), Attack Theatre and The Opera Theater of Pittsburgh.

Erin is glad to be back in her happy place with Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Her latest adventures include Kate in Brighton Beach Memoirs (The Theater Factory), Marian Thayer in Titanic (Split Stage Productions) Sister Julia Child of God in Nunsense (PMT), Freulein Schweiger in The Sound of Music (PMT), Elizabeth in Young Frankenstein (TTF) and various roles in Forbidden Broadway (TTF). Many hugs and kisses to Scott, Brody, and Ben.

Quinn Patrick Shannon has been a regional performer and director in New York, Pittsburgh and Central PA. He first appeared with PMT at the age of 6 as Tiny Tim in the original 1991 production of A Lyrical Christmas Carol. He directed Hair (2017) and Sweeney Todd (2016) for the Richard E. Rauh Conservatory, but is perhaps best known at PMT for his appearance as Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2017). Favorite PMT appearances include Young Frankenstein (Igor), Grease (Roger), and Sister Act (Joey). Other favorites: Guys and Dolls (Nicely Nicely Johnson) for the Pittsburgh Public Theater, Forever Plaid (Frankie), The Toxic Avenger (White Dude), and Titanic (Pittman/Etches) for the Pittsburgh CLO, and most recently The Current War for Quantum Theatre (Francis Upton) this past June. He would like to thank his amazing wife Caroline for her never ending love and support.

Education / College / Where From: Kassi Tiedjens is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and began her dance education at the age of 4 with the Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy. Kassi also attended the performing arts high school Pius XI where she rigorously studied visual and performing arts. In 2021, Kassi graduated cum laude with high distinction from Butler University and received a BFA in Dance Performance as well as a BA in Psychology. In the fall of 2021, Kassi joined Confluence Ballet Co. for their inaugural season as a company artist and has performed in an array of soloist and group roles. Executively, Kassi functions as Confluence's Costume Manager and Communications Associate. When Kassi is not dancing, she enjoys taking yoga classes, rock climbing, sewing, and baking.
Favorite musical: Hadestown
Favorite junk food:jalapeño chips
First time teaching at PMT or / how many years have you been with PMT?: I began teaching at PMT during the summer of 2022! I'm so excited for year 2!
What are you looking forward to most about teaching at PMT? I love working with such passionate students. It is so inspiring to watch these artists bloom into such powerful performers!

Dr. Tortorello is the Resident Music Director of Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Recent productions include Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, HAIR, Newsies, and The Sound of Music. She teaches multiple classes for the pre-college program in the PMT 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. A dedicated teacher and coach, she has maintained an active piano teaching studio for the past twenty 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. She received a Masters degree and Professional Studies certificate in Collaborative Piano from CIM, studying with Virginia Weckstrom. She also earned 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.

Rocker Verastique appeared in the original Broadway companies of Contact, Chicago, Victor/Victoria and Carousel. Mr. Verastique's other Broadway credits include Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera and The Ziegfeld Follies of 1936, as well as the world premiere productions of Hearts Desire, Jekyll and Hyde, Spirit and the Broadway workshop of Fosse.

Rocker's other credits include Paul in A Chorus Line (Pittsburgh Musical Theater), Konstantine Morrisine in On Your Toes (Gateway Playhouse. NY), Sophisticated Ladies (Drury Lane, Chicago), Feld Ballet, Los Angeles Chamber Ballet, danced six years with artistic director Mikhail Baryshinikov in American Ballet Theatre. In Los Angeles, he spent four years on the television series Fame and was the male lead in the award winning music video “Nasty” opposite Janet Jackson.

Mr. Verastique has choreographed dozens of musical theater classics all over the country, as well as, Cabaret (Saint Edward's University), Chicago (Austin Playhouse), Miss Saigon (Pittsburgh Musical Theater), Leader Of The Pack, Dreamgirls and Beehive (Pittsburgh Playhouse), Five Guys Named Moe and Little Me (Candlelight, Chicago), A Chorus Line (Geva, Rochester NY), Helldriver's of Daytona (Royal George, Chicago) and the movie Two Step, as well as co-choreographing Rugrats - A Live Adventure (2 World Tours).

Education / College / Where From: BA in Dance Performance, Pedagogy, and Choreography from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA
Favorite junk food: Ice cream
First time teaching at PMT or / how many years have you been with PMT?: I began at PMT as an intern during Summer Musical Theater camp 2022.
What are you looking forward to most about teaching at PMT? I am excited to help students find confidence in their own performance both on stage and in the studio!

Education / College / Where From:BA Dance Point Park University
Favorite musical: Hadestown
Favorite junk food: Chips & salsa
First time teaching at PMT or / how many years have you been with PMT?: I have been teaching with PMT for about 18 years.
What are you looking forward to most about teaching at PMT? I am most looking forward to sharing the joy of dance with all of the students!

Education / College / Where From: Currently attending Carlow University for Creative Writing and theater. Pittsburgh, born and raised.
Favorite musical: Newsies and First Date
Favorite junk food: Trolli very berry gummy worms
First time teaching at PMT or / how many years have you been with PMT?: This is my second semester working at PMT, and I was a student before that.
What are you looking forward to most about teaching at PMT? Looking forward to working with the students and helping them grow in their skills and confidence.

Andonetta Chiarina Trageser (Andi) is a 2020 Musical Theater graduate of Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 as well as a PMT Conservatory Alumni. Andi spent 5 years as a student of the PMT Conservatory and has now returned to the PMT Family as a Resident Intern as well as a Propel teaching Artist.

Previous PMT credits include: Once (Production Assistant), Beauty and the Beast Jr. (Production Assistant), A Lyrical Christmas Carol (Run Crew), Pippin (Berthe), and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Gargoyle).