Deborah Metzger
Director/Choreographer
Deborah holds a BFA in Acting with a Musical Theatre emphasis from Point Park University. She has performed or directed over 100 shows in Pittsburgh and throughout the state. Deborah was also a performer at Disney World and has performed at nearly every major theme park in the country. In addition to running Paragon, she does dialect coaching for local high school musicals. Some of her favorite roles include: The Witch in INTO THE WOODS, Elizabeth Proctor in THE CRUCIBLE, Morticia Addams in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Alice in THE SECRET GARDEN and Philia in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, writing and fostering kittens for Animal Friends.
Logan Mlecko
Logan was last seen on stage as Amos in Paragon’s production of CHICAGO. A junior at North Catholic High School, he is on the swim team and participates in the school musicals. He is a Life Guard during the summer months and likes to draw and play video games in his spare time. He has also appeared with Paragon as Schroeder in SNOOPY and the chorus of LITTLE WOMEN.
Caroline (Cat) Marschke
Cat is a senior at North Catholic High School where she is quite active in Forensic Competitions (Speech and Debate) and participates in the school musicals. She enjoys drawing and is a digital artist. In addition, she likes to play piano, sing, and travel. Favorite roles with Paragon include: CHICAGO (Little Mary Sunshine), and LITTLE WOMEN (Rogdrigo).
Sadie Ohm
Sadie holds the record for longest standing sudent at Paragon, having begun in our Performance Basics class at the age of three! She was most recently seen in Paragon’s adult production of DAMN YANKEES as a Newsie, and as Amy in LITTLE WOMEN. Sadie has performed in seventeen shows with the studio.
Sadie works at the Gap and also enjoys fashion, SFX makeup, and cats. She also student teaches levels 1 and 2 and was the Performance Basics instructor this spring. Sadie is a senior at North Hills High School.
Sophia Burik
Sophie was most recently seen in last year’s production of CHICAGO as Mama Morton. Other favorite studio shows are Oliver! and Little Women. She is also involved in North Hill’s High School musicals where she is in eleventh grade. In addition, Sophia participates in many clubs including: French Club, Service Club, Ski Club, and International Thespian Society.
She works at Panera and enjoys traveling, baking, and thrifting.
Regan Borsh
Regan is a junior at North Hills High School where she participates in French Club, Thespian Society, and North Hills Ambassadors. She is also very active in the high school musicals. Regan was last seen on the Paragon stage in Seussical. She works at Goodwill and enjoys thrifting, baking, and pintrest boards in her spare time.
Addison Korbel
A sophomore at North Hills High School, Addison is involved in marching band, French Club, Art Club, and History Club as well as participating in choir and the school musicals. Favorite shows at Paragon include: LITTLE WOMEN (old hag), CHICAGO (dancer, officer), and SNOOPY.
Addison also enjoys drawing, architecture, and playing video games.
Nina Lee
Nina is in eleventh grade at North Allegheny High School where she is a member of the French Club and Art Club. Shows at Paragon include: LITTLE WOMEN (troll), CHCIAGO (Hunyak, dancer), and DAMN YANKEES (newsie).
She also enjoys gaming, traveling, and writing. Nina currently works at The Milkshake Factory.
Addison Lee
Addison is a junior at North Allegheny High School where she attends the Beattie Cosmetology program and plays on the softball team. She was last seen as a Mona/dancer in Paragon’s production of CHICAGO, which was her first show!
In her spare time, Addison likes to read and crochet.
Ella Ging
Ella is an eighth grader at Avonworth Middle School. She has been seen in Paragon’s productions of: CHICAGO (reporter), LITTLE WOMEN (troll), and SNOOPY (flower girl).
In addition to participating in her school’s musicals, Ella is also in the marching band as a color guards, plays softball and basketball, and is on the student council. In her spare time, Ella enjoys babysitting, crocheting, and cooking.
Katelyn Baker
Katelyn was last seen on the Paragon stage as Annie in CHICAGO. Previous roles include Mrs. Kirk in LITTLE WOMEN, and the ensemble of SNOOPY!
A junior at North Hills High School, she participates in French Club, Thespian Society, Sewing Club, and Hands for Science. She also participates in the high school musicals.
In her spare time Katelyn is a member of Girl Scouts, Junior Ladies of Charity, and works at Plato’s Closet.
Mark Spondike
Music Director
Mark was last seen as Colonel Mustard in Paragon’s production of CLUE. A former chorister with the Pittsburgh Opera, Mark has performed in over 70 productions. Recent theatre roles include: Wargrave in Paragon’s AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and Fagin in OLIVER!, and MacAfee in BYE, BYE BIRDIE with RMU Colonial Theater, Editor Webb in OUR TOWN with Actors Civic Theater and Joe Boyd in DAMN YANKEES.
Mark is a vocal music teacher at CAPA and holds a BA in Music from YSU.
Mary Blashford
Chorus/Commissioner
This is Mary’s first show with Paragon, although she has been a private voice student for several years. A retired teacher, Mary enjoys gardening and reading. She also sings in her church ensemble. Mary is a memory care activities assistant. She has also appeared in the musical FINIAN’S RAINBOW.
Adam Bolette
Vernon
Adam is a familiar face on the Paragon stage, having most recently been seen as Fred in CHICAGO and John Brooke in LITTLE WOMEN. Other favorite roles include Lucas Beineke in THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL and Judd Fry in OKLAHOMA! Adam also works backstage as a music operator and is employed by Paragon as a part-time assistant. In addition to theatre, Adam sings with the North Hills Harmony Line Chorus (Barbershop) and enjoys tabletop wargames.
June Bolette
Chorus
June loves chorus roles and has had many over the years! Favorite shows include: ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, GODSPELL, and OLIVER. She is also a member of the Assumption Choir. When not performing herself, she loves seeing shows all over the city. June also enjoys baking and petting all the cats.
Kathy Ciesielski
Sister
After earning her MBA at Pitt and working most of her life, Kathy is now happily retired. She appeared in her high school play FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, then took a forty-five year break! Now she’s back and performing in shows as well as independent films and regional television commercials. She takes numerous classes in acting and related fields all over the city. In addition to performing, Kathy enjoys playing Pickleball and other 55+ community activities and events!
Kevin Delaney
Voice overs
Kevin is an actor and voiceover artist working in both Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. You’ve heard him in commercials, in video games such as World of Warcraft and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, cartoons, talking toys, home videos and more! Kevin recently opened Deep Dive Dream Center in Oakland.
Ryan Dappen
Joe Boyd
Ryan made his debut on the Paragon stage as The Steward in INTO THE WOODS. His favorite roles over the years include: Juror #3 in TWELVE ANGRY JURORS, the General in AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and Mal Beineke in THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL. Ryan holds a degree in Computer Science from Pitt and works as a Database Administrator and Business Intelligence Analyst. In his spare time, he is avid aquarist (a person who raises fish).
Connor Forsythe
Rocky
Connor is a familiar face on the Paragon stage, having performed with the company since 2008! He was last seen as Professor Plum in CLUE. Other favorite shows include: LOST IN YONKERS, TWELVE ANGRY JURORS, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and OKLAHOMA! Connor is an accountant and graduated from La Roche University with a major in Accounting and Management. In his spare time, he enjoys playing baseball in the summer adult league.
Kate Giger
Chorus/Lynch
Kate attended the Pittsburgh Career Institute, majoring in Specialized Technology. She is an Animal Care Technician at the University of Pitt. She was last seen on the Paragon stage in CLUE as Yvette. Other favorite roles include: Joy in CINDERELLA at CSP and Snoopy in YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN at Paragon. In her spare time Kate enjoys reading, nature walks and hanging out with friends.
Keri Hoffmann
Meg Boyd
Keri is a retired Army musician and is currently a medical laboratory scientist. She plays trumpet with The Brass Staff and is a bell ringer with Three Rivers Ringers. This is Keri’s first show with Paragon! Other favorite roles include: Gertrude in SEUSSICAL and Sister Mary Hubert in NUNSENSE. Keri holds several degrees including a B.S. in Music Education, a B. S. in Medical Laboratory Science and an M.S. in Clinical Embryology and Andrology from Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Alex Kerr
Sohovik
Alex was recently seen as Billy Flynn in our spring production of CHICAGO. Other favorite roles include: Mr. Green in CLUE, Laurie in LITTLE WOMEN, and Frank Senior in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. He holds an Environmental Science degree from the University of Scranton and works as a technical assistant at PPG. In his spare time, Alex likes to play video games, do escape rooms, and solve the NYT crossword puzzle. Alex also studies acting and voice at Paragon.
Josh Lawrence
Henry
Josh is excited to be performing in his fourth show with Paragon Studios, where he studies both voice and acting. He was last seen on the Paragon stage in CLUE as well as Professor Bhaer in LITTLE WOMEN. Other favorite roles include: Mal Beineke in THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL and Mr. Greenway in ELF, THE MUSICAL. Josh has also studied improv at Steel City Improv Theater and enjoys hiking, kayaking and meeting dogs.
Rachel Lucas
Lola
Rachel recently graduated from La Roche University with a B.A. in English Communications. A former actor in Paragon’s student division, she has appeared in several Paragon productions including: AIDA (Nehebka), Seussical (Wickersham), and as the waitress in Paragon’s Mystery Dinner Murder at Flamingo Bay. Other favorite roles include Chris Gormon in RUMORS and Aslan in NARNIA. She also studied film with Nancy Mosser Casting. Rachel is a shift supervisor at Starbucks.
Sarah Miller
Chorus/Reporter
Sarah recently joined our company after taking a beginning adult acting class as well as private voice lessons. She is a graduate of the Art Institute with a B.S. in Photography. Sarah works as a mail handler for USPS and also enjoys doing Taekwondo.
Tom Mirth
Van Buren
Tom brings a long list of credits to the stage. His last appearance with Paragon was THE CRUCIBLE as Judge Danforth. Tom recently appeared in the notable play 12:52 The Mike Webster Story as Mike Webster. Other favorite roles include: Harry in BORN YESTERDAY and George in MOON OVER BUFFOLO. A member of Screen Actor’s Guild, Tom is represented by the Docherty Agency. He works as a Lumber Broker and enjoys sword fighting and unarmed stage combat as well as bike riding. Tom is a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Theatre.
Kyle O’Keefe
Smokey
A graduate of Geneva College majoring in Chemistry, Kyle works as a chemist for PPG Industries. He traveled the country with New Song, Geneva’s a capella ministry, and also performed with The Genevans, the college’s main choir. Kyle performed in shows in both high school and at college. He also enjoys reading, running, weight lifting and playing piano and guitar.
Amy Peters
Chorus/Postmaster
This is Amy’s first time on stage, though she’s no stranger to Paragon, having seen both her husband and daughter perform in dozens of shows through the years. Amy studies voice at Paragon on occasion and enjoys travelling, reading, and showing dogs in conformation shows. She holds a B.A. in Film Studies from Bowling Green University and works as a veterinary technician supervisor.
Kirk Peters
Welch
Kirk most recently appeared as Mr. Boddy in Paragon’s production of CLUE. He also performed in WORKING, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, AIDA, and TWELVE ANGRY JURORS. Kirk attended Bowling Green State University, majoring in Telecommunications and Math. He works as a website programmer. Kirk appears regularly on the Steel City Improv Theater stage.
Gina Nicotero Preston
Darlene
Gina is excited to be back in the game after a decades long break from the stage! Her college credits at Westminster College include: THE MIRACLE WORKER and PROUD DJ@WWNW. She in a National Account Manager at SSI People and is a graduate of Westminster College with a degree in Political Science. In her spare time, Gina enjoys reading, watching movies and hiking with her dogs and husband.
Eric Rudel
Mickey
Eric is an attorney by day and a huge baseball fan by night! A graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, Eric also enjoys traveling (especially to Disney World) and spending time with his wife and dog. Other roles include: Thenardier (LES MISERABLE), Smee (PETER PAN) and Uncle Fester (ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL)
Julia Simioni
Chorus
Julia hails from Brazil and is excited to be part of DAMN YANKEES, her first show since high school. She graduated from Fundacao Assis Gurgacz in Cascavel, Brazil, with a degree in Literature and Languages. Julia works as a nanny. In her spare time, she enjoys playing piano, reading, and drawing.
Tom Smithyman
Applegate
Tom was most recently seen as Wadsworth in Paragon’s highly acclaimed production of CLUE. When Tom isn’t on stage he can be found reading and writing about comic books. He is a graduate of Penn Stage University with a degree in Journalism. Tom is an Executive of Communications at Ansys. Favorite roles include: Marc in ART, Oscar in THE ODD COUPLE, and Lee in TRUE WEST.
Adam Speers
Joe Hardy
Last seen on the Paragon stage as Radames in AIDA, Adam has also appeared in several shows at Stage 62 including THE MUSIC MAN (Tommy Djilas), PINKALICIOUS (Peter), as well as Frank Plunkett in TOO MANY COOKS with the Bobcat Players. He attended Geneva College as a vocal major and works as a Maintenance Technician for Seven Seas. He also plays volleyball at a competitive level.
Bethany Tonarelli
Gloria Thorpe
Bethany grew up as a student at Paragon and is now an active member of the adult company. In fact, she holds the record for most shows! Bethany was last seen as The Singing Telegram Girl in CLUE. Other favorite roles include: Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ, Laurie in OKLAHOMA!, and Aida in AIDA. She graduated from La Roche University with a B.S. in Business Management. Bethany is currently a store manager at Spirit Halloween. In her spare time, she likes hanging out with friends, organizing and working on latch hook.
Lisa Weismann
Doris
Lisa has accrued a long list of shows over the years. Her favorite shows at Paragon include: OLIVER (Mrs. Corney), PIPPIN (Berthe), and TWELVE ANGRY JURORS (Juror #2). She is a homemaker and enjoys gardening and visiting wineries. Lisa is happy to still be part of Paragon since 2004!
Kimi Wong
Chorus/featured dancer
This is Kimi’s first show! She became interested in performing after taking voice and acting classes at Paragon. She also studied ballet for ten years. Kimi attended Pitt University, majoring in Business Administration and currently works as a consultant. In her spare time, Kimi enjoys Dragon boat paddling, roller skating, and arts and crafts.