Putting on a new hat

The Public welcomes our newest leader

Steel Magnolias is special to us - and not only because of the amazing talent on stage. This show also marks the first with our newest leader, Shaunda McDill.

Shaunda joined us in February as our new managing director, bringing decades of experience in arts production and management to your Pittsburgh Public Theater and filling the role after the beloved Lou Castelli’s departure in September 2022. She joins artistic director Marya Sea Kaminski in leading us closer toward our goal of being a true public theater the region can rely upon and revel in.

“I’m excited to return to regional theater with The Public,” Shaunda said, “and I want to position the theater for another 50 years of artistic excellence.”

Shaunda bridges the gap between what happens on stage and the day- to-day operations of your Pittsburgh Public Theater. She acts as the liaison between the artistic director and the behind-the-scenes staff, ensuring that the values presented in productions are reflected in our day-to-day operations.

She also maintains the delicate balance between the Public’s identity as an efficiently managed organization and a presenter of worthwhile, impactful theater. Shaunda thinks often about the words of Ben Mordecai: “Too much management will kill the art, and too much art will destroy itself.”

“I see my role as supporting the incredibly meaningful and valuable performances you rely upon year after year at The Public – productions that entertain, bring new perspectives, evoke deep emotions, and move us to be better participants in the world around you,” she said.

Her career spans several cities and decades, including experience as a playwright, performer, director, and producer. While attending Dartmouth College, she studied under the renowned Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson. And coming directly from the Heinz Endowments as Program Officer for Arts and Culture prior to joining The Public, Shaunda is already a well-known face around the Pittsburgh theater scene.

“The role of the managing director is about what’s happening off the field just as much as it is what’s happening on the field,” Shaunda said.

Shaunda sees the performers on stage and the staff working behind the scenes as one cohesive group with a shared goal. With roots in Pittsburgh theater, a broad range of theatrical experience, and an incredible talent for organizational leadership, Shaunda is well equipped to help lead the Public onward.

“I believe the theater is the place that will teach us about and help us reflect upon our engagements with society and what is core to our shared humanity,” she said. “That is the work.”

MARYA SEA KAMINSKI Artistic Director

SHAUNDA M C DILL Managing Director

Presents

written

by

ROBERT HARLING

with

ELIZABETH ELIAS HUFFMAN*

AMY LANDIS*

ROBYNE PARRISH*

SAIGE SMITH*

SCENIC DESIGN BY ANNE MUNDELL

SOUND DESIGN BY CLAUDIA JENKINS

MARTINEZ

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

KELLY HAYWOOD*

directed

by

MARYA SEA KAMINSKI

KYRA KENNEDY*

JENNY MALARKEY

HELENA RUOTI*

CHARLES E. TIMBERS JR.*

MONICA WYCHE*

COSTUME DESIGN BY SUZANNE CHESNEY

DIALECT COACH DON WADSWORTH

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER CATHERINE H. KOLOS*

LIGHTING DESIGN BY KATHY A. PERKINS

HAIR & WIG DESIGN BY SHERRY DEBERSON & TENEL DORSEY

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MARY FELIX