New Hazlett Theater Announces 12 Season of Community Supported Art
The New Hazlett Theater is pleased to announce its 12th Season of Community Supported Art (CSA), showcasing three premiere performances from Pittsburgh-based artists. Running from January to April 2025, CSA Season 12 presents a broad range of eclectic art, including an electrifying mashup of music and technology, a two-actor play about isolation and self-expression, and a captivating dance concert.
"The CSA 2025 Season is an exploration of transformation, identity, and the search for belonging," says New Hazlett Theater Executive Director René Conrad. “This year’s performances push boundaries and challenge conventions, diving deep into the emotional and physical landscapes that shape who we are."
Each year the CSA Performance Series supports emerging Pittsburgh artists as they develop a new work for the New Hazlett stage. The artists selected for the 2025 season share a theme of self-discovery and communal connection.
2024/2025 Season Lineup:
My Sister’s Lipstick
A play by Anna King Skeels
An intimate tale of sibling bonds, queer repression, and a Judy Garland obsession.
January 30–31, 2025
EGO
An interactive experience composed by Ramin Akhavijou
Step into the future with an interactive fusion of music, technology, and art.
March 20–21, 2025
Dragonfly Dawn
A captivating concert by Joanna Abel
An ethereal dance journey through enchanted battlegrounds of good versus evil.
April 24–25, 2025
Starting this year’s CSA is new Artistic Producer, Melissa Cardello-Linton.
In this role, she is eager to continue cultivating an inclusive, community-driven space that champions artists who push the boundaries of traditional theater. Melissa spent over twenty years in New York City directing, producing and curating a wide array of new works. Her work has been featured on PBS All ARTS and Off-Broadway showcasing her unique vision and commitment to producing high-quality, thought-provoking productions.
With a deep love for both the arts and her hometown, Melissa is committed to growing the New Hazlett Theater'’s legacy of fostering innovation while also honoring the rich cultural history of Pittsburgh.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be working with the emerging artists at the New Hazlett Theater, and I’m deeply honored to be a part of such a dynamic, forward-thinking institution. The New Hazlett Theater is a true incubator for artistic talent - where new works are not only nurtured but celebrated. This organization has a reputation for pushing boundaries, and I’m eager to continue that tradition by championing emerging voices in the arts. Together, we have an opportunity to create something truly special, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.”
– Melissa Cardello-Linton
"The CSA series is not merely a moment in time but a pivotal stepping stone for future projects. It sets the stage for the strategic development of my career as a dancer, choreographer, and show producer. As I weave the various threads of my artistic and professional journey within the CSA performance series, I am poised to embark on a trajectory marked by innovation, growth, and success," says CSA Season 12 artist Joanna Abel.
Past CSA contributors include playwright Nick Navari, choreographer Kontara Morphis, composer Yan Pang, and singer-songwriter Vida Chai. The New Hazlett Theater's CSA program provides a platform for creative, diverse artists to mold the future of the arts in Pittsburgh by connecting audiences with new productions that push the boundaries of what a live performance can be.
Subscriptions are available for purchase on the New Hazlett website.
Accessible seating and assistive listening devices are available for all CSA Season 12 productions.
The New Hazlett Theater is also eager to invite student groups to the theater, including talkbacks with the artists.
Please email Nathan Wagner with any questions.
Meet the Artists
Anna King Skeels (they/them/theirs) is a playwright, actor, and big nerd originally from Baltimore, Maryland with a BFA in Theatre Arts from Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts. With an objective of using theatre as a tool for social justice, they create work focused on audience engagement, experimentation, and making your theatre experience as queer as possible.
Ramin Akhavijou (he/him) is a musician, technologist, instrument designer, and multimedia artist. His compositional work and research are driven by the dialectic interrelation between sounds, a central concern and motivator in his artistic journey. Through various interdisciplinary projects, he investigates this interrelation scientifically, blending his passion for science and technology with his diverse compositional paths.
Joanna Abel (she/her) discovered her passion for dance in 2005 and has been ablaze with creativity ever since. For two decades, she has channeled her energy into captivating performances and workshops around the globe. Her self produced fantastical events, featuring fantasy-themed dance, live music, and enchanting atmospheres, showcase her boundless imagination.