Our Team
Staff
Stephanie Wilsey, PhD, President, Executive Director
swilsey@saltworks.org
Lauren Scheller-Wolf, Production Manager
lschellerwolf@saltworks.org
Louise van Mook, Program Administrator
lvanmook@saltworks.org
We want to express our appreciation for our outgoing Executive Director, Norma Alrutz, who is retiring after 32 years of dedication to Saltworks. Under her leadership we expanded the reach of our School Assembly and Young Actors Studio programs, spreading our message of positive change through the power of live theater to countless students and families across the region. We wish her all the best in her next adventure, and we will strive to preserve her example of steadfast leadership, creativity, and support.
Board of Directors and Advisors
Board of Directors
Amber Fantini, Chair
Danielle Blackburn
Kay Burkot
Karen DiVito
Sally Getty
Loan Hutton
Laura Penrod Kronk
Kelly Morgano
Jennifer Tepe
Kathy Woll
Nancy Traina, Emeritus
Board of Advisors
Dr. Gillette Elvgren
Tim Hartman
Susan Huckestein
Robert Kaiser
Emma Swift Lee
William Roemer
Dr. Mark Stevenson
Nancy Traina
Cele Fichter-DeSando, MPM, CFD Consulting, LLC
Actors
Samantha (Sami) Roth
Actor Educator
About Sami
Where are you from?
Butler, PA
What college did you graduate from?
Point Park University: BFA in Acting/ Minor in Dance
What is your favorite place to eat?
Olive Garden
What is your favorite pasttime?
Manage and care for my four fish tanks!
Do you have brothers and sisters?
I have 4 fish, 100+ snails, 10 shrimp, and my best friend–my dog Millie!
What do you like to do with your friends
Take adult tap and jazz classes! I have been dancing professionally for 7 years.
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
Because I love working with kids! At my evening job, I wear a lot of dance shoes and my kids call me “Miss Sami.”
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
The opportunity to educate towards safer and more inclusive tomorrows!
Loren LaCash Mellick
Actor Educator
About Loren
Where are you from?
I’m from Spokane, Washington, born and raised!
What college did you graduate from?
I attended the University of Northern Colorado, receiving a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting and Vocal performance.
What is your favorite place to eat?
I love Mola Sushi here in Pittsburgh, and just can’t get enough of it!
What is your favorite pasttime?
My favorite hobby, when I get the chance, is to play Dungeons and Dragons in person. I often play as the dungeon master, or as a player.
Do you have brothers or sisters?
I have three brothers and one sister! I am the youngest of the bunch.
What do you like to do with your friends?
My friends and I love playing video games together or watching scary movies. A recent favorite of my friends and I has been the game Peak.
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
I used to be enamored as a kid by traveling shows that would visit my schools, which was part of the reason that I originally wanted to be an actor. It was an inspiration to start doing school plays at my school. Getting to do the same thing I used to see when I was a kid seemed like an out of this world experience!
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
Right now, if I can make the world a little less confusing and difficult for someone going through a tough time in school, that is my biggest goal. Things are hard right now, but I am hoping that I can help some feel a little less overwhelmed now. My biggest expectation is that Saltworks will be instrumental in helping me reach as many people as I can!
Kenzie Hartnett
Actor Educator
About Kenzie
Where are you from?
Bridgeville, PA
What college did you graduate from?
Seton Hill University, B.A. Musical Theatre
What is your favorite place to eat?
Olive Garden
What is your favorite pasttime?
Keeping up with the Pittsburgh Penguins!
Do you have brothers or sisters?
I have 1 older brother.
What do you like to do with your friends?
My friends and I love to have movie nights and take dance classes together.
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
I think theatre can be a really effective educational tool, especially for younger audiences. I remember seeing shows similar to the ones Saltwork produces when I was growing up in school and I feel passionately about using my capabilities to inspire positive change within today’s youth.
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
I’m so excited to be working with a longtime friend of mine, Julianna Eyer, and continuing to connect with new artists through this experience. Creating new friendships has always been one of my favorite parts about theatre.
Bob Colbert
Actor Educator
About Bob
Where are you from?
New Kensington, PA
What college did you graduate from?
Messiah College: BFA in Musical Theatre
What is your favorite place to eat?
The Melting Pot
What is your favorite pasttime?
Reading and researching plays and musicals
Do you have brothers or sisters?
I’m an only child!
What do you like to do with your friends?
Watch movies, talk about theatre, perform together.
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
Because I’d grown up doing Young Actor’s Ensemble and classes and camps, and wanted to come back to the place where my love of theatre was first cultivated.
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
My greatest expectation is to become friends and good castmates with my fellow actors, and leave a positive impact on the kids that we perform for.
Julianna Eyer
Actor Educator
About Julianna
Where are you from?
Right here in Pittsburgh, PA! Specifically Bellevue, right down the road from Saltworks.
What college did you graduate from?
I have my B.A. in Theatre Performance from Seton Hill University in Greensburg. Go Griffs!
What is your favorite place to eat?
I’m a pretty adventurous eater, but if I had to pick one place, it would probably be
Condado. I love a good taco.
What is your favorite pasttime?
I really love reading, crafting, and hanging out with my dog, Pippa.
Do you have brothers or sisters?
I’m an only child, but thanks to my husband Jacob, I have a pretty cool sister-in-law.
What do you like to do with your friends?
I’m a big fan of board/card games, those are always fun!
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
Art has a really powerful way of reaching people, especially young ones. If I can use my theatrical skills to reach people and spread positivity, then I believe that’s a worthwhile way to use them.
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
I believe that I’m going to learn a lot from the students that will be learning from us. I’m also super excited to work with old friends and make new ones along the way!