The Incredibly Innovative Innovators of Pittsburgh, a Pittsburgh CLO Gallery of Heroes production, kicked off its spring tour January 12, 2009, at Peabody High School. Originally developed to coincide with the Pittsburgh 250 celebration, this educational and entertaining production was extended for an additional tour by popular demand. The show is traveling to local schools, teaching students about the men, women and innovations from Pittsburgh that have helped to change the world during the last 250 years. The spring tour will run through May 15 at schools in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Green, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania and in Weirton, West Virginia. The production is presented in partnership with the Senator John Heinz History Center.
The Incredibly Innovative Innovators of Pittsburgh takes place in the home of a teenage girl from Western Pennsylvania. After putting off her social studies homework, she suddenly sees her favorite rock band magically appear in her game room. To help her with her neglected assignment, the band takes her on a musical journey exploring the historical innovators from Western Pennsylvania over the past 250 years. Inspired by the Senator John Heinz History Center's exhibition Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, this fully staged musical explores this region's rich history through an innovative presentation, while the band members bring the innovators to life through their portrayals of Rachel Carson, George Westinghouse, Jonas Salk and more.
Jason Coll (writer/musical director/assistant director) has written six Gallery of Heroes musicals. His other original works for Pittsburgh CLO include Steel, Young Washington, The Amazingly True Adventures of Nellie Bly, Pioneers of Flight and ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba! The Roberto Clemente Story. Mr. Coll served as the Associate Artistic Director of Pittsburgh CLO from 2004-2008. Currently he is an independent writer and producer.
Kiesha Lalama-White (director/choreographer) is the Education Director for Pittsburgh CLO. Ms. Lalama-White has choreographed and taught for Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Cirque du Soleil, the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, Wright State University, Kansas City Starlight Theater's production of Jesus Christ Superstar and Dance Educators of America. For the CLO, she has worked on the Richard Rodgers Awards, the Gene Kelly Awards and has choreographed several Gallery of Heroes productions. Ms. Lalama-White is also currently a faculty member with the Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts Dance Department and featured in the January Issue of "Dance Magazine" as one of 2009's Top 25 to watch.
Nick Mitchell (Eddie) is a Western Pennsylvania native who returned to the area after spending five years in New York City. He received his music theater training at Oklahoma City University. His favorite regional credits include Dan Kaffee in A Few Good Men, Lumiere in Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Kinickie in Grease. As associate producer of Empty Jug Productions, Mr. Mitchell has recently been pulling double-duty producing and performing in area schools as Captain Mercaptan in Columbia Gas' educational show I Love Gas.
Jim Scriven (Seth) returns for his fifth Gallery of Heroes production. He was Seth in the 2008 production of Innovators and played Leo in Steel and was the understudy in Young Washington and ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba! The Roberto Clemente Story. Mr. Scriven is a 2005 graduate of Allegheny College, where he received his BA in Theater. He has performed at area theaters such as Open Stage Theater, Apple Hill Playhouse, New Kensington Civic Theater and the Gemini Theater.
Jason A. Shavers (Douglas) is appearing for a fourth time in a Gallery of Heroes production after playing Samuel in Steel and Luis and the understudy for the role of Roberto in ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba! The Roberto Clemente Story. His other favorite productions include Grand Hotel (Jimmy #2), Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter), High School Musical (Chad) and Lost in the Stars (Matthew Kumalo). Mr. Shavers is also a substitute teacher at Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theater and a graduate of Point Park University.
