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
Amber Fantini, Chair
Danielle Blackburn
Kay Burkot
Karen DiVito
Sally Getty
Susan Huckestein
Loan Hutton
Laura Penrod Kronk
Emma Lee
Leah McCord
Kelly Morgano
Audra Redick
Jennifer Tepe
Kathy Woll
Nancy Traina, Emeritus
Board of Advisors
Dr. Gillette Elvgren
Tim Hartman
Robert Kaiser
William Roemer
Dr. Mark Stevenson
Nancy Traina
Cele Fichter-DeSando, MPM, CFD Consulting, LLC
Actors
About Delaney
Where are you from?
Washington, PA
What college did you graduate from?
West Liberty University: BA in Theatre and BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology
University of Southern Mississippi: MFA in Theatre Performance
What is your favorite place to eat?
Moe’s and Chipotle!
What is your favorite past time?
Hanging with my partner and our five fur babies 🙂
Do you have brothers and sisters?
One of each! Very close with both of them
What do you like to do with your friends
Start the day with some coffee, hit a few thrift stores, and end with a craft night!!
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
I am passionate about live theatre’s ability to spark reflection, dialogue, and change in its audiences. I am especially drawn to how Saltworks uses theatre as a tool to help students engage with difficult but important topics.
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
I look forward to creating a positive impact on students by using theatre as a way to engage them in meaningful dialogue and self-expression. I hope to foster an environment where they feel seen, supported, and inspired to think differently about themselves and the world around them.
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 past time?
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!
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 past time?
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.
About ShaVaughn
Where are you from?
I hail from the hamlet of Uniondale on Long Island, New York.
What college did you graduate from?
I graduated from Longwood University with a degree in performing arts.
What is your favorite place to eat?
My favorite place to eat is at home. (Nothing beats a home-cooked meal)
What is your favorite past time?
My favorite pastime is dancing.
Do you have brothers or sisters?
I have one brother and five sisters.
What do you like to do with your friends?
Dinner parties, board game nights, and picnics are among my favorite activities to have with friends.
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
I am excited to work with Saltworks as an opportunity to hone my craft and share my passion with young audiences.
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
This is an opportunity for growth and new connections. What’s more, it’s a chance to touch lives with an art form that’s spoken to so many of us. That’s what I hope for from this endeavor.
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 past time?
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!