Staff
Rene Conrad, Executive Director
Effective January 1, 2011 the theater will be under the leadership of René Conrad, our new Executive Director. She succeeds Sara Radelet, the New Hazlett’s founding Executive Director, who recently relocated with her husband to Paris, France. Ms. Conrad, who has an extensive background in both for-profit and non-profit management, comes to the New Hazlett from Pittsburgh’s Quantum Theatre, where she has been Managing Director since 2004.
Her prior arts management experience also includes serving as managing director for Gemini Theater Company and business manager for Pittsburgh Musical Theater. The Board looks forward to continuity in the operation of the theater and continued and innovative development in programming and funding.
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.
New Hazlett Theater staff member, Alex Bard, has worked with the organization since 2006 in both the technical and administrative departments. Currently he manages the programming and events calendar for the venue.
Degrees include a B.S. in Communication, Media & Technology from La Roche College and an A.S. in Business Administration from Edinboro University.
With a passion for music, he has recorded a handful of original albums, been known to break off a raging guitar solo, and can hit the high note on a good day.