Who are we?
We are a professional theatre company that includes some of the most talented actors in Pittsburgh.
Founder, Roni Ostfield
has over 30 years experience producing theatre in Pittsburgh and around the world. For over 13 years she was the Director of Outreach for City Theatre, where she developed ground breaking programs in prisons, shelters and community centers that helped thousands of underserved individuals find their voice during their most difficult periods.
Since founding Pittsburgh Playback Theatre in 1986, Roni has been commended by the Presidential Commission on the Arts (1996), Pennsylvania Department of Education (1987) and has founded an important HIV Awareness Theater Project (2000) and recently a meaningful project to serve the needs of the Lost Boys of Sudan--refugees living in Pittsburgh (2003).
Associate Director, Rich Keitel
is a member of Actors Equity, he has been involved with Pittsburgh Playback Theatre for over twenty years, where he currently serves as Associate Artistic Director. Professor at Point Park University, BA in Theatre and Philosophy from SUNY Oneonta, MFA in Directing from University of Pittsburgh. Associate Artistic Director for City Theatre 1997-98. Head of Undergraduate Acting and Directing Program - University of Pittsburgh, 1991-97. Selected Directing credits include Collected Stories and American Buffalo for City Theatre, and Wild Duck for Quantum theatre. Plays Rich has directed are regularly mentioned in the Pittsburgh newspapers' year-end top ten lists. Regionally, Rich directed Communicating Doors and Dinner with Friends at St. Michael's Playhouse in Vermont. Selected acting credits include Earl in The Late Henry Moss, Horatio in Hamlet, Edgar in King Lear, and Matthew in Private Eyes. Other favorite roles include Lee in True West and Mr. White in Reservoir Dogs Rich was recognized with the "Harry" award for theatrical excellence by Pittsburgh Magazine. Rich is married to Dr. Elisabeth Roark, Associate Professor of art history at Chatham College, and their two proudest productions are their sons, Jordan Akira, 12, who loves Community Day School, and Daniel Whitman 10, who relishes Minadeo Elementary School.
Company
Nicole Accuardi
Ashley Archambeau
Jewel Barber
Brittany Bradley
Monteze Freeland
Amy Guterson
Demetria Marsh
Paulo Nzambi
Ido Roll
Andrea Scheve
Gentry Thurman
Emmett Zitelli
Nick Bonesso, President, President of NABCOMM Communications, Jeff Maizlech, CPA, Treasurer, Fabi Cheistwer, Stress Management Specialist, Jonas Chaney, Journalist for Sheridan Broadcasting Network and WPKI-TV; Dona S. Luedde, PhD, Psychologist, Elizabeth Reiss, Executive Director of Three Rivers Arts Festival.
Pittsburgh Playback Theatre is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible.
