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Kristen Hancock (Director)

Kristen holds a degree in Theatre Direction from Marymount Manhattan College. During her time living in NYC Kristen worked as an equity stage manager and assistant director in off-Broadway playhouses. She ran a small theatre company with her husband, Luke Hancock. Together they produced, directed and acted in new and old works of theatre and short films. To afford her love of theatre, she started her training in Interior Design and construction project management. She can currently be seen running her small interior design business LMNTL DSGN and managing the day to day operations of the Hancock Family : Wyatt age 10, Alex age 5, Luke (best husband) and Annie Rae (friendliest Chocolate Lab in Dormont). Kristen has loved the theatre for as long as she can remember. The main intention of taking on this project was to encourage the kids to love theatre and work as a team to help tell the story of The Newsies!

Beth Reilly (Producer)

Beth could not be prouder of the hard working cast and crew of Newsies Jr!! She was last seen in the production staff of the 2021 AMA Nativity Play (u/s Director), 2022 AMA Nativity Play (Costume Coord), and likens herself to Leo Bloom from The Producers. She is thrilled to be back on the SLS stage after a 26 year hiatus, where she was an integral part of My Favorite Year, Smile (Miss San Juan Capistrano), West Side Story (Guadelupe), How to Succeed...Trying (Trudie).Prior to SLS, Beth was an eight year corps member of Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company under the artistic direction of Jean Gedeon and student of Marianne Irwin where she performed in The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Balanchine variations, and Peter Pan. After hanging up her pointe and character shoes, Beth received BS and MPH degrees while furthering her healthcare administration career and creating an inimitable family. 

Hannah O'Toole (Choreographer)

Hannah is a proud alumna of the Center for Theater Arts (CTA) in Mt. Lebanon, and is now a teacher in those very same rooms that sparked and fostered her love of theater. She studied voice, dance, acting, and musical theater at the CTA from ages 5-18 performing in numerous productions, and was a member of the Dance Company and the Broadway Kids performing company. Hannah was also a private voice student of Mrs. Tina Capecci, and sang the National Anthem at many events locally, and nationally. Irish dance and ballet were Hannah's first loves; which began with the Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance under Sheila Shovlin and Liz Grinko, and ballet under the guidance of Marianne Irwin and Michele Philage. 

At the CTA, Hannah teaches musical theater and performance workshop in the junior division. She is also a 2019 graduate of Point Park University and was a member of the Point Park Singers University Choir.

Alex Robertson (Musical Director)

Alex studied Music Technology at Duquesne University and has been an active music director and accompanist in the Pittsburgh area since 2007. His previous productions include musicals for McKeesport Little Theater, South Allegheny High School, Seton LaSalle, and Duquesne University. As a touring musician and songwriter, Alex has performed to audiences across the country, including a spot on the Vans Warped Tour. His music has been featured on Spotify, 105.9 The X, Kerrang Radio, and AT&T SportsNet. Alex currently teaches musical theater and voice classes at the Center for Theater Arts in Mt. Lebanon.