I LAUGH IN THE FACE OF MAGIC
90% Comedy. The other half is magic.” Once described as “the Zach Galifianakis of magic,” Michael’s greatest asset is the ability to combine dry-roasted comedy and worldclass sleight-of-hand technique to form an evening of pee-in-your-pants entertainment... or so he was told by one little old lady. After seeing his show, actor and comedian, T.J. Miller said, “your stage presence is unmatchable,” while stand-up comedian, Brian Regan CONTINUED
said, “I loved the part where you harpooned the guy in the chest!”
In 2015, Michael was hand-picked to create the role of the “Magic Maker” in the World Premiere of Stephen Schwartz’s Magic to Do, and can be heard on the Original Cast Album, available on iTunes, Amazon, or Spotify.
Currently, Michael is a highly sought-after consultant for Fortune 500 Companies, as he helps connect them with their employees and clients in an astonishing and memorable way. Additionally, Michael performs on cruise ships, at universities, comedy clubs, and private functions across the world.
He lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his beautiful wife, Sarah, their perfect daughters, Rosalind, Sloane, Murphy, and scruffy Double Doodle, Aurora.
With fast paced energy, side splitting humor and—potentially most important— theatrical motivation to give deeper meaning to his impossible close-up effects, Michael Misko marries magic and stand-up comedy in unexpectedly affecting ways. Using his experience and education in theater, Misko creates dramatic tension in even the silliest of moments, weaves his personal story into the fabric of his performance and uses magic to crack open his audiences as he cracks wise.
Michael Misko takes us on a raucous and relatable journey without asking that we leave the comfort of the comedy club.
As you enjoy tonight’s performance, please keep in mind that the true magic happens somewhere in the intangible connection between performer and audience. The most magical experience we can provide is one that truly requires your thoughts, your choice, and your actions to create. We hope you will leave Liberty Magic knowing that there wouldn’t have been any magic at all without you.
Thank you for joining us, supporting us,
Zoe Ruth, Director of Operations & Programmer
In February 2019, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust launched a new venue dedicated to elevating the art of magic. Located at 811 Liberty, on the same block where Harry Houdini mesmerized Pittsburgh crowds in 1916, Liberty Magic is an intimate, speakeasy storefront emphasizing the art of sleight of hand and prestidigitation. With 66 seats in 4 rows, the magicians and performers who appear at Liberty Magic offer you a one-of-a-kind experience that is easy to access and hard to forget.
Scenic Design
TONY FERRIERI
Director of Operations & Programmer
ZOE RUTH
Front of House Magicians
JON TAI
DAN HARMON
SHANE PATRICK CREWS
Set Dressing JON WARD
HAYLEY ULMER
Front of House
ANNA HANSON
PHIL JACOBY
B KLEYMEYER
MARC PALOMBO
AUDREY SWANDERSKI
CAMERON WEBB
Artistic Advisors
ERIC JONES
MICHAEL CHAUT
DENNIS WATKINS
Press & Marketing
KAITLYN CIANCIO
MARKOWITZ COMMUNICATIONS
Film & Video
DUSTIN WICKETT
Creative Team
MORGAN BARBA
GIGI BOWER
JONATHAN DAYBEAR
BRIAN NICHOLS
THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST STAFF
PRESIDENT
Kendra Whitlock Ingram President and CEO
EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Sarah Aziz Director of DEAI Initiatives
Amy Cooper Office and Executive Projects Manager
Hayley Haldeman Chief Administrative Officer
Rona Nesbit Special Advisor to the President
Cheryl Schnippert Executive Assistant to the President
ARTS EDUCATION
Tracy Edmunds Vice President of Arts Education
Tyler Anderson Program Coordinator
Julissa Bermea Manager of Early Childhood Programs
Elizabeth Foster-Shaner Director of Arts Education
Kalee George Manager of Arts Education Programs
Shakirah Stephens Manager of Arts Education and DMIS Programs
DEVELOPMENT
Nicholas Gigante Chief Development Officer
Grace Alverson Assistant Manager of Institutional Giving
Ryan Bromley Manager of Corporate Giving
Kaylin Cranmer Senior Manager, Development Systems
Elizabeth DiLeonardi Donor Concierge Specialist
Allie Fetchko Major Gifts Officer
Linda Fletcher Manager of Foundation and Government Giving
Amy Herlich Major Gifts Officer
James Hill Director of Government Affairs and District Initiatives
Monica Marchese Senior Manager of Individual Giving
Heather Masterson Senior Director of Development and Individual Giving
Ariel Mookherji Assistant Manager of Donor Relations
Hector Navarrete Assistant Manager, Development Systems
Rebecca Rickard Director of Institutional Giving
Aaron Rovan Manager of Individual Giving
Nicole Shero Development Systems Associate
Jessica Walz Director of Special Events & Engagement
FINANCE
Linda Kosten Chief Financial Officer
Linda Jakubec Vice President of Finance
Timothy Baum Risk and Finance Manager
Benjamin Boggio Senior Finance Manager - Facilities and Grounds
Lisa Fisher Director of Finance
Taleesha Johnson Senior Accountant
Amy McDonald Accountant and Accounts Payable Specialist
GUEST SERVICES
Albert Rodibaugh Vice President of Guest Services and Patron Experience
Vanessa Braun Director of Accessibility
Joi Brook Senior Manager of Sales
Archie Diaz Ticketing Operations Manager
Pamela Howell Group Sales Manager
Rhonda Jones Ticketing Operations Manager
Maria McIntyre Full Time Ticketseller
Julie Neal Director of Guest Services Operations
Brenna Painter Full Time Ticketseller
Aimee Plotz Event Operations and Data Analysis Manager
Eva Resnick-Day Full Time Ticketseller
Dennis Sen Ticketing Services Manager
Karoline Smith Accessibility Manager
Timothy Smith Lead Ticketseller
Eric Thomas Director of Guest Experience
HUMAN RESOURCES
Maureen Shannon Vice President of Human Resources
MaryAnne Culleiton Senior Manager, Finance - Payroll & Benefits
INFORMATION STRATEGY & TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Daniel Hoffer Chief Information Officer
Jared Blumer Full Stack Ruby on Rails Developer
T C Brown Tessitura Quality Assurance and Data Support Administrator
Benjamin Chen Technical Services Specialist
Patrick FitzGerald Director of eCommerce Operations
Danielle Greaves Lead Web Developer
Rebecca Harriman Director of Projects and Enterprise Applications
Devin Loney Director of Network and Technical Services
Joshua Luke Technical Services Analyst
Jay Mash Network Administrator
Nancy Sheleheda Senior Director of Application Development and System Integrations
Justin Snair Director of Network and Cloud Infrastructure
Katie Springer Director of Technology and Project Management
Michael Tiernan Director of Network Operations and Security Technologies
Katina White Tessitura Support Administrator
Christine Wingenfeld Partnership Manager and Data Analyst
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
David Alcorn
Director of Digital Marketing and Engagement
Daniel Alexander Creative Director
Morgan Barba Senior Designer
Gigi Bower Digital Production Manager
Kaitlyn Ciancio Marketing Coordinator
Mitsuko Clarke-Verdery Marketing Manager
Jamie Cuba Show Marketing Director
Jonathan Daybear Senior Designer
Shelby Fink Marketing Engagement Manager
Ashley Kier Marketing Manager
Krist Muñoz-Malavé Social Media and Content Manager
Brian Nichols Senior Designer
Diana Roth Senior Communications Manager
Derek Scalzott Senior Director, Communications and Marketing Management
Andrea Sharfman Institutional Marketing and Communications Manager
OPERATIONS – INFRASTRUCTURE
Dennis Curry Chief Engineer
Jeff O’Laughlin Chief Engineer
Ben Bacho Operating Engineer
Dustin Curry Operating Engineer
Todd Fedorek Operating Engineer
Thomas Hatala Operating Engineer
Christopher Kazar Operating Engineer
Kevin Koontz Apprentice Operating Engineer
Brett Melisko Operating Engineer
Daniel O’Brien Operating Engineer
OPERATIONS – VENUES
Joanna Obuzor Vice President of Venue Operations
Lyla Bartman Production Manager
Robert Bollman Stage Technician, House Sound Engineer
Bryan Briggs Production Manager
Greg Brooks Stage Technician, House Sound Engineer
Katelyn Colwell Director of Venue Operations
Anna Cunningham Production Manager
Diane Hines Production Manager
Kamwana Hobbs Director of Production
Adolf Hundertmark Stage Technician, House Carpenter
Chelsea Kirch Stage Technician, House Electrician
Brett Lindblom Stage Technician, House Electrician
Phill Madore Operations Manager for the Liberty Venues
Sofia Marino
John Mumper
Stage Technician, House Electrician
Senior Director of Venue Operations
Frank Polselli Director of Facilities and Grounds
Kevin Rabbits Operations Coordinator
Steven Schultz
Stage Technician, House Carpenter
Zoe Ruth Silberblatt Director of Venue Operations
Sarah Speck Stage Technician, House Sound Engineer
Donald Squires Venue Manager of the Greer Cabaret
Christine Wagner Operations Manager
Nicole Zeak Operations Manager
PROGRAMMING
Brooke Horejsi
Chief Programming and Engagement Officer
Bri Fallahee Programming Manager
Heather Irwin Director of Programming
Randal Miller Director of Programming
Joseph Morrison Venue Manager of the Harris Theater
Breanne Thomas Program Coordinator
SECURITY & FRONT OF HOUSE OPERATIONS
Kevin Wilkes Vice President and Chief Security Officer
Shirley Epperson Director of Security
Ashley Rieser Director of Volunteer Services and Front of House Guest Experience
SHARED SERVICES
Mark Power
Hannah Feldhues
Shared Services Director
Shared Services Associate
Linda Wagner Advertising Sales Manager
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Theresa Bell Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement
VISUAL ARTS & PUBLIC ART
Anastasia James Director of Galleries and Public Art
Davine Byon Curatorial Assistant and Department Coordinator
Kennedy Deen
George Dun
Jacquet Kehm
Joshua Rievel
Exhibition Coordinator
Manager of Gallery Facilities and Public Art
Art Handler
Art Handler
THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL
David L. Holmberg* Chair
Carolyn D. Duronio* Vice Chair, Treasurer
Kendra
Whitlock Ingram* President & CEO
Nicholas J. Gigante
Secretary
Chester R. Babst III*
Jill M. Brodbeck*
Esther L. Bush**
Tacy M. Byham
Helen Hanna Casey*
James E. Crockard III***
Ronald R. Davenport, Jr.
George A. Davidson, Jr.
Chris DeCardy*
William S. Demchak
Mike DeVanney***
Joseph DiVito, Jr.***
Jack W. Elliott*
Ed Gainey***
William O. Generett, Jr.
Murry S. Gerber
Sarika Goulatia
George C. Greer**†
Steven J. Guy*
Lisa Haley
Richard J. Harshman*
Jean Anne Hattler***
Sara Innamorato***
Farnam Jahanian
Krysia Kubiak***
Daniel Lavelle***
Tracey McCants Lewis***
Sally McCrady*
Kenneth C. McCrory
David L. Porges*
Charles J. Queenan, Jr.**
Sam Reiman*
James E. Rohr**
Caryn B. Rubinoff
Cynthia D. Shapira
Jimmi Sue Smith
Hilary S. Tyson
Ryan L. Vaccaro
Thomas L. VanKirk*
Sunil Wadhwani
Hal K. Waldman
Nancy D. Washington*
Michael Watson**
Christy C. Wiegand
Travis E. Williams*
Daniel S. Wilson
*Executive Committee Member
**Lifetime Trustee
***Ex-Officio
†Deceased