Staff

Sara Radelet, Executive Director

Sara Radelet, Executive Director, has over 13 years of experience in the non-profit sector and a long-standing involvement in Pittsburgh’s arts community. With expertise in nonprofit fundraising and organizational management, Sara’s strengths are in building small non-profit arts groups to their next threshold of development, skills she honed during ten years of employment at the Mattress Factory art museum.

Sara holds a BA in Liberal Arts from The George Washington University and is certified in Economic Development Finance through the National Development Council. While living in Washington DC, she worked as a sub-contracted stagehand, assisting crews on band tours, conventions and conferences. She is President of the Board of Directors of Quantum Theatre, Secretary to the Board of Directors of Artists Image Resource, Secretary to the Board of Directors of City of Asylum/Pittsburgh, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. In 2000, Sara was named as one of Pittsburgh’s “40 under 40”. She plays bass guitar in two rock’n’roll bands: Peevo and The Shanks. She recently waged a campaign to have the casual, relaxing side-stroke recognized as a real option for triathlon competition.

Dave Bjornson, Technical Director

Dave Bjornson was the Technical Services Manager for the City of Lansing Michigan’s numerous performance venues before moving to Pittsburgh to start AAM studios, where he provided professional recording services for musicians and for television and film for 10 years. Subsequently, he worked for two years at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center providing all audio/visual technical assistance and often serving as the on-site point-of-contact person for the convention clients.

At the New Hazlett Theater, as Technical Director, Mr. Bjornson is the liaison and advisor to all artists and arts organizations at the theater as they produce and perform their work, providing them with a smoothly functioning space in which to achieve their goals. He assists in troubleshooting problematic set design, audio and video glitches and ensures that all lighting fixtures and equipment are in solid operating condition.

Past noted achievements as front of house sound engineer include work with Aretha Franklin, Tom Petty, Sheena Easton and the touring production of Cats. His film credits include Diehard II, Wonder Boys, Dogma, and the Temptations mini-series. He has provided audio/sound design for City Theatre, Quantum Theatre and other local companies.

Alex Bard, Operations Manager

New Hazlett Theater staff member, Alex Bard, has been working with the organization for two years in both the technical and administrative departments. Bard is a skilled professional in the media production field with specializations in audio, video and graphic design. His degree accomplishments include a B.S. in Communication, Media & Technology from La Roche College and an A.S. in Business Administration from Edinboro University. Bard’s volunteer efforts include work with The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, and the Society for Contemporary Craft in areas of finance and event planning, respectively.

Prior to his current vocation with the New Hazlett Theater, Bard had worked as a media producer for Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future, was elected General Manager of La Roche College’s student-run radio station, ELRC, for the 2007-2008 term, and has performed freelance media production assignments for Prime Stage Theater & AAM Convention Services. He enjoys the study of culture, music, and social dynamics, and is an active producer and writer of original music.

Debra Sciranka, Marketing Assistant

Debra is an independent arts consultant with over 25 years of diversified administrative experience. She works with multiple clients, providing development and fundraising assistance, project management, event planning, marketing/promotion services, and executive support within organizations both locally and internationally. She provides all marketing support for the New Hazlett Theater and serves as general assistant to the Executive Director in program planning, database management, and event coordination. Her years of administrative experience in both the arts and the health-care industry are incredibly valuable in helping to establish systems and procedures for the New Hazlett Theater.

As an avid promoter of recycling, Debra is one of the co-founders of SALVO (Salvage Artists Linking Venues and Opportunities), a non-profit collective of artists promoting recycling through the arts. In this role, she creates and facilitates art activities for children that teach the value of recycling. She is also an advocate of choosing to go organic, and writes a bi-monthly article for the East End Food Coop on organic cooking.

Desiree Davis, House Manager and Education Coordinator

As House Manager, Desiree Davis assists with all aspects of visitor relations at the New Hazlett Theater. She oversees the front-of-house functions and ensures smooth communication between backstage crew and the staff and volunteers coordinating movements of the audiences. She schedules and trains all volunteer ushers, providing a day-to-day orientation (since each day brings different details in showtime, parking arrangements, need for accessible seating and other concerns). She coordinates the schedules of security personnel and concession-sales staff, and serves as the point-person for the visiting company’s box office staff.

Additionally, she is an experienced educator and performer as a former member of the Shona Sharif African Dance Ensemble and the Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble. Ms. Davis is currently the Director of Dance at Mount Ararat Baptist Church and independently instructs West African Dance & Dunham Technique to adults and youth throughout the Western Pennsylvania region.