Impresario striving to bring live theater to Mon Valley By Dave Zuchowski
Elizabeth Huffman’s experience with the world of the- theater, the Grand Theater in Elizabeth, the Harold Betters ater began early. Band Shell and the Edwin S. Potter Theater in an old school At age 6, while in first grade, she took on the role of the Nar- in Connellsville. rator in Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Ugly Duckling.” She’s even exploring the possibility of staging the plays in The experience made such a positive impact on her that it the theater at her old alma mater, Ringgold High School, “sealed her fate” and her desire to become a performer. The after it’s completely renovated. Dramatic works she plans now seasoned actress, director, playwright and teacher has to produce include American classics, comedies, contemmade theater a lifelong career that has taken her all over the porary retellings of classic plays, plays from around the country and the globe. world and Shakespeare. Born and raised in New Eagle and now residing in Monon- She’s also toying with the idea of doing a devised play created gahela, Huffman’s international endeavors have recently tak- by PICT with multidisciplinary artists and finding “refugee en on a regional, and, more significantly to the residents of playwrights” from around the globe who want to tell their the Mon Valley, a local emphasis. stories in dramatic form. However, she’s not going to proOn the heels of taking over as artistic director this past Feb- duce plays locally independent of PICT. ruary of Pittsburgh International Classic Theatre in Pittsburgh, she and a committee of residents from Monessen, New Eagle, Belle Vernon, Monongahela and Connellsville are committed to bringing live theater to the greater Mon Valley. “As we proceed, the committee is ever-growing,” she said. “I see our area as under-served as far as theater goes, and many residents don’t like to drive to Pittsburgh to see live productions. But there is a demand for and an interest in theater in the Valley, judging by the number of people who pack theaters for local high school productions.” Currently, Huffman is taking the current year to raise money for the recently dormant PICT theater so she can hire staff and start production. To this end, she and her board are applying for grants and soliciting support from individuals, businesses and corporations with a goal of raising $500,000. Once PICT resumes staging plays, hopefully as many as four a year, she hopes to bring them to venues in the Mon Valley. Packing the production’s costumes, set, props and lighting into a vehicle large enough to hold everything, she likes to perform the plays at venues like churches and warehouses. Sites she’s already scouted out as possible places for production include the Monessen City Park AmphiDave Zuchowski/for the Observer-Reporter Elizabeth Huffman in Monessen Park, where she would like to stage outdoor Shakespearean plays N O V E M B E R 24, 2 0 23 | M O N VA L L E Y M A G A Z I N E | 19
