Sounds of the season
Conceived, Written and Directed by Eli Plummer
Cast and Crew
November 30, New Hazlett Theater
Eli Plummer, CSA Artist 2026/27 & Director
Cast (in order of appearance)
Sean - Craig Newham
Adult Aaron - Elijah Corbin
Young Aaron - Jaylan Gardner
Stage Directions/Narrator – Christopher Rone
Creatives
Lighting Designer – Tony Clayton
About the Show
And a Buoy by Eli Plummer is a staged reading about a father, a son, and a bond buoyed through the changing tides of time. Set entirely on a cuddy boat off the coast of Maine, the story anchors Sean and his son, Aaron, during their annual fishing trips. As the scenes jump from the early 2000s into the mid-2030s, the audience watches Aaron grow up, and Sean grow older. Exploring the complexities of fatherhood, the piece reveals how their connection holds strong as they navigate what love is supposed to look like—and the quiet ways it shows up.
Who’s Who
Eli Plummer (CSA Off the Page Artist 26+27, Writer, Director)
is a theatre creative who graduated from Point Park with a BA in Theatre Arts and an Applied Music minor. He is excited to be making his authorial debut! Eli’s work centers around themes of ambiguousness, existentialism, and one’s reason for being alive. He’d like to thank his family and his partner Maddy for their support and love. He’d also like to thank D.T. Burns, whose playwriting class enabled him to create the piece. He dedicates this piece to his father Eric, his father Blaine, and all the fathers before them. Ahoy!
Craig Newham (Sean)
is very excited to be doing this read-through. It’s been a while since he’s acted. Happy to be a part of it!
Elijah Corbin (Adult Aaron)
(He/Him) has just finished performing with Cape Rep Theater as Gene Laine in Girl from the North Country, Simon Gascoyne in The Real Inspector Hound, and Larry Doucette in 9-Ball. His training includes a degree in Acting from Point Park University and a summer in Toga, Japan, learning Suzuki with the SCOT company. A special thanks to Michael Belliveau for giving him his love for theatre.
Jaylan Gardner (Young Aaron)
is a recent Point Park University acting graduate. He began his acting journey at Baltimore School for the Arts and is excited to now be making his New Hazlett Theater debut! Some of his previous credits include First Old Man/Spartan Delegate, Lysistrata A Woman’s Translation (Pittsburgh Playhouse); Ezra, The Trees (Pittsburgh Playhouse); Frank Thorney, Witch (Bridges Theater Company); Judge, Examination of Ashley Smith (Pittsburgh Fringe); and Hare, In The Woods Still I Hear Them (RLM One Act Festival). Jaylan wants to thank his family and friends for their endless support! Please enjoy the show!
Christopher Rone (Stage Directions/Narrator)
is blessed to make his New Hazlett debut with And a Buoy. He is beyond excited to reunite with some old friends and some new to bring this amazing story to life. You may have seen him last as Mistress Page, Merry Wives of Windsor (PSIP) Student 4, Shakespeare’s R&J (City Theatre), or Norman, The Trees (Pittsburgh Playhouse). Christopher would like to shout out his family, friends and mentors for their love and support. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Follow @chrisssdr__ on Instagram!
Tony Clayton (Lighting Designer)
NEW HAZLETT SPECIAL THANKS
Bootstrap Design Co., Matt Dayak, Renee Rosensteel, Saturday Light Brigade, WQED
NEW HAZLETT THEATER FUNDERS
ALLEGHENY REGIONAL ASSET DISTRICT
THE BENTER FOUNDATION
THE BUHL FOUNDATION
JACK BUNCHER FOUNDATION
GIANT EAGLE FOUNDATION
THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS
HILLMAN FOUNDATION
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
OPPORTUNITY FUND
PENNSYLVANIA CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
W.I. PATTERSON CHARITABLE FUND
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THE PITTSBURGH FOUNDATION
NEW HAZLETT STAFF
Executive Director: René Conrad
Director of Operations: Scott Conklin
Director of Advancement: Kayla Hennon
Director of Administration: Sadie M. Treese
Artistic Director: Melissa Cardello-Linton
Production Manager: Dylan Baker
Program and Events Manager: Allyson King
Patron Service Coordinator: Lauren N. Wijangco
Box Office Coordinator: Nathan Wagner
Communications Manager: Krista Ream
Artistic Associate and Program Strategist: Dominique Briggs
Lead Audio Technician: Josh Bruton
Lead Lighting Technician: Tony Clayton
Stage Manager: Jess Levine
Assistant to the Artistic Director: Livie Johnston
NHT FRONT OF HOUSE
David Balint, Tracee Imai, Kristina Kiritchenko, Eric Molina, Eli Plummer, and August Whichard
NHT BOARD of DIRECTORS
Susan Gillis Kruman, President
Godfrey Bethea, Vice President
Jonathan Fortier, Secretary
Shane Gastecki, Treasurer
Bevin Baker
Oliver D.J. Beasley
Sarah College
Teena Marie Custer
Nicholas J. Gianaris
Christopher Ketner
Mike Larson-Edwards
Richard E. Rauh
Josie Schultz
Brynn Elcock Smart
