. BIOGRAPHIES . Dr. Shirley Barasch     . On January 13th 1933, Shirley Barasch was born. As a child growing up she was raised by her grandmother until the age of 12, which is the subject of a recent memoir. She was marvelous at volley ball, a great swimmer and a great kick ball player.  Today Professor Shirley Barasch, Ph.D, is a published poet, a composer and a lyricist; Although retired Dr. Barasch is still a teacher of singing as well as a writer. During her tenure from July 1969 to August 2004 at Point Park University where she served as Coordinator of Teacher Education, and Chair of the Conservatory of Performing Arts; Director of Music & Fine Arts and Artistic Director of The Pittsburgh Playhouse. Her voice students perform all over the world. In 2008, her short story, "The Chocolate Bar" was awarded 1st Prize and her poem, "Keeper of the Dream" placed 2nd. Her poetry has also appeared in THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE and in The Metamorphosis Journal published by The Pleasant Hills Library. Her original works produced in professional theater include: Alice in Wonderland; Little Red Riding Good; The Emperor's Nightingale; Rapunzel; Wind in the Willows; Robin Hood & Jubilee Journey. Her musical compositions include: Suite for Cello with flute and clarinet (2006-07); String Quartet in D (2005); a Biblical Cantata- Out of This Heritage; Five Songs for Baritone; & A Song Cycle for Soprano. Two short stories: The Chocolate Bar, The Library Card, and the play, For Professional Purposes are personal memoirs.  She created the "Starmakers Gala" and "The Performing Arts Partnership Award" raising nearly $500,000 for the program. This money helped renovation of the original Pittsburgh Playhouse and endowment of multiple Conservatory Programs. She is also the recipient of a Warner Cable Television award, 17 ASCAP awards and many poetry prizes. She won two prizes in Taproot Literary Review's 2007 poetry contest: second prize for the poem "Commentary" and an honorable mention for "My October". Her poem "Chautauqua" won first prize in Taproot Literary Review's 2006 poetry contest. Her poetry has also appeared in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pleasant Hills Library in the Metamorphosis Journal. The musical drama Mary Shelley and Her Frankenstein premieres November 12, 2008. Dr. Shirley Barasch is an accomplished writer/poet, composer and dedicated performing arts teacher. But first and foremost, she is a loving grandmother of ten and to quote her directly- "I consider my family and my 54 year partnership with my husband Ron, to be the greatest and happiest accomplishments of my life." She can be reached anytime by e-mail at Sbaraschstudio@Verizon.net Richard Keitel   . Richard Keitel is a Professor of theater at Point Park University. His education entails a BA in Theater and Philosophy from SUNY Oneonta as well as a MFA in Directing from University of Pittsburgh. He came to Point Park after teaching for six years at the University of Pittsburgh where he served as Head of Undergraduate Acting and Directing Program from 1991-1997. He was also the Associate Artistic Director for City Theater during its 1997-98 season.  His philosophy is to try to make each student the best actor and director they can be.  Keitel has recently worked with three projects involving Africa, with the lost boys from Sudan, with Somalian teenagers and with a refugee from Darfur. He is the faculty advisor to the Point Park bike club and is an avid biker and disc golfer. He is currently performing with Pittsburgh Playback Theater, where he serves as Associate Artistic Director. His directing credits include "Collected Stories and American Buffalo for City Theater, Wild Duck for Quantum Theater, I'm Not Rappaport and the world premiere of Sam Hazo's Watching Fire, Watching Rain" for Jewish Theater of Pittsburgh, along with "A Moon for the Misbegotten, Mad Forest, School for Scandal, What's Wrong with this Picture? Criminal Genius, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, and A Flea in her Ear." Regionally, Rich directed "Communicating Doors and Dinner with Friends" at St. Michaels' Playhouse in Vermont. Previous Prime Stage credits include "Great Expectations and To Kill a Mockingbird" where he received his sixth Best Director mention from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is regularly mentioned in the Pittsburgh newspapers' year-end top ten lists. As a member of Actors Equity, he performs with Pittsburgh Playback Theater and serves as Associate Artistic Director. Rich was recognized with the "Harry" award for theatrical excellence by Pittsburgh Magazine. Next up for Rich will be the world premiere of Shirley Barasch's Mary Shelleys' Frankenstein in the New Hazlett Theater in November. . Nancy Gordon Galluzzo . Nancy Gordon Galluzzo is a piano accompanist, music educator and music director. Classically trained, Nancy accompanies vocal and instrumental soloists, directs and performs musicals each year for local colleges, schools and theaters, and also finds the time to personally coach vocalists. Nancy is the resident pianist for the TRSQ workshops, teaches privately, and also teaches at Point Park University. At Point Park she serves as an accompanist for the COPA Ballet and Musical Theater Departments and Music Director for Playhouse productions. She can be reached anytime by e-mail at ngordongalluzzo@mac.com . .

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