Staff
Lori Kolodziej- Executive Director
Lori has been the Producer/Executive Director for all productions at the Grand Theatre and now for Mon River Arts for the past fourteen years. In addition to running a full time business, Lori works for the Elizabeth Forward School District at Mount Vernon Elementary. She also volunteers her time on a variety of committees in the community, including Plum Street Committee (Thursday night outdoor concert series) as Chairperson/ Entertainment Coordinator. Lori and her husband Ken are the proud parents of three girls, but their newest pride and joy is their grandson Jayden Aaron.
Kathy Hawk
Kathy Hawk is a middle school music teacher at Harrison Middle School in the Baldwin Whitehall School District where she is also the director/choreographer for the school musicals. Kathy holds a BA in Music Education and her MA in Vocal Performance both from Duquesne University. Kathy serves on the board of directors for Mon River Arts. She is actively involved in many aspects of theater. She has played the role of singer/actress, director, music director, choreographer, stage manager, and production manager at the Grand Theatre. She has performed for Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, Brockett Productions, Conley Inn Dinner Theater, Starlight Productions, South Park Theatre, Mon River Arts, The Grand Theatre, Stage 62, McKeesport Little Theater and CCAC South Campus.
Lorraine Mszanski- Stagemaster's Director
Lorraine has directed many shows at the Grand Theatre including Bye, Bye Birdie, Willy Wonka, Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes, Oklahoma, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, and Every Christmas Story Ever Told... And Then Some. Other Directing credits include Dixie Swim Club, Songs For A New World, The Little Prince, Madeline (South Park Theatre), Lydie Breeze (asst. Director Open Stage Theatre), Alexander Hamilton (Pittsburgh Playwrights). She is a proud graduate of St. Mary's College where she earned her degrees in French, Philosophy and Theatre. Favorite role to date: Mom to the amazingly awesome Andy and Jameson.
Jen Gorton- Grandstage Musical Theatre Camp Director
Camp Director Jen Gorton attended the New England Conservatory, and East Nazarene College, in Quincy, Massachusetts and earned her Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Boston University. She has an extensive background in music performance and education. She directed a concert choir performance at Carnegie Hall, in New York City. She also conducted and accompanied jazz choirs and was music director for the productions of PIRATES OF PENZANCE, GUYS AND DOLLS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, CHILDREN OF EDEN, THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS, FOOTLOOSE, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, NEWSIES, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, HAIRSPRAY, and BYE BYE BIRDIE. She has directed performances at the Olympic Games in Australia in September 2000 and was an Adjunct Professor at Point Park University from 2003-2008. Jen was Musical Director of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Summer Program from 2007-2008 and is currently a Musical Theater Instructor at the Center for Theater Arts. She directed five shows with Mon River Arts’ Petite Players and is a private voice instructor and Music Director of Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.
Camp Director Jen Gorton attended the New England Conservatory, and East Nazarene College, in Quincy, Massachusetts and earned her Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Boston University. She has an extensive background in music performance and education. She directed a concert choir performance at Carnegie Hall, in New York City. She also conducted and accompanied jazz choirs and was music director for the productions of PIRATES OF PENZANCE, GUYS AND DOLLS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, CHILDREN OF EDEN, THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS, FOOTLOOSE, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, NEWSIES, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, HAIRSPRAY, and BYE BYE BIRDIE. She has directed performances at the Olympic Games in Australia in September 2000 and was an Adjunct Professor at Point Park University from 2003-2008. Jen was Musical Director of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Summer Program from 2007-2008 and is currently a Musical Theater Instructor at the Center for Theater Arts. She directed five shows with Mon River Arts’ Petite Players and is a private voice instructor and Music Director of Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.
