Mark has been teaching at ACT ONE for over 25 years.  He holds a BFA and MM in Piano Performance from Carnegie Mellon University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Music Education from Boston University.  Mark’s current faculty appointments include Professor of Music at the Community College of Allegheny County; Artist Lecturer in Music Theory at Carnegie Mellon University; and Head of the CCAC Allegheny Campus Humanities Department.  His past faculty appointments include Robert Morris University and California University of PA.  Mark has also music directed for various theatre companies in addition to ACT ONE, including the Pittsburgh CLO and Saint Vincent Summer Theatre.

Janet received a BA in Sociology from Dickinson College.  She studied Voice with Brenda Smith (Dickinson College), Charlotte Sonne and Myrna Paris (vocal coach).   She was the vocal director at “The Stage” at la Place and Peabody High School.  Janet was also a director, writer, and co-founder of the musical theatre company Van Dash Productions.

Mrs. C founded ACT ONE Theatre School in 1986. She holds a BA in Psychology from Seton Hill College and teacher certification in secondary English.  She also attended the University of Pittsburgh for post graduate studies.  She wrote the script and co-wrote the lyrics for SESJUN (an internationally broadcast jazz program with Holland’s Metropolitan Orchestra), directed the ROUTE 66 performance with the cast of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL in Rotterdam, wrote lyrics for a  WELLA BALSAM European commercial, wrote lyrics for Ernie Sabella’s opening song at the ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE’S award gala in New York City, and has written for PARAMOUNT INTERNATIONAL. Mrs. C has taught and directed Pittsburgh area children for over 35 years.

Rachel is an Act One Alum and holds a BFA in Acting from Point Park University. She developed the curriculum and taught a musical theatre program in China for Fantasy Children’s Performing Arts School.  She completed four tours in the States as a director/actor with Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre.  She has acted and directed in New York City with several companies including 3 Voices Theatre and Queens Shakespeare.  Rachel is an Associate Director at Little Lake Theatre and part of the Midnight Radio Jr. education team at Bricolage. 

Julianne Avolio is thrilled to be returning to Act One as the High School Program Coordinator. She is a Pittsburgh-based actor, improviser, and teaching artist . Some notable credits include the world premiere musicals of An Untitled New Play by Justin Timberlake with City Theare and Up and Away with Pittsburgh CLO; Plano with Quantum Theatre and Cry It Out with City Theatre. Julianne has taught with organizations like Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Arcade Comedy Theatre, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and more.  She brings 15 years of professional experience to the classroom where she is committed to helping each student find their voice and their confidence.

J.R. received his BA in Speech Communications from the University of Pittsburgh and his MFA in Playwriting from Carnegie Mellon University. As a company member of the Western Stage of Salinas, CA he was commissioned to adapt John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row for the National Steinbeck Festival’s 50th Anniversary celebration of that novel’s publication. For the past two decades, he has served as the coordinator of the ACT ONE High School program and has been a member of the faculty of the Community College of Allegheny County, South Campus Drama Department, where he teaches Communications, Theatre, and Film. He recently completed a commission from Beacon College [the first accredited institution of higher learning designed to serve students with learning disabilities] for the book of a musical entitled Normal-C. A story about three special needs teenagers who face the dilemma of whether they should give up all that they are for a chance to be ‘normal.’

Taylor has been building sets and designing and operating lights for ACT ONE since 2016.  He holds an Associate's Degree in Technical Theatre/Theatre Design & Technology from the Community College of Allegheny County with an extensive background in welding and scenic carpentry. He is a member of IATSE 489 Studio Mechanics and works on feature films and television series filmed in Pittsburgh. Additionally, he is a fabricator and touring technician with Squonk Opera.

Chris has been working for ACT ONE Theatre School for 18 years and has been part of the ACT ONE family for 19 years.  Both of her daughters are alums of ACT ONE.  She holds a BA in Accounting & Finance from Robert Morris University.  She currently works as the Controller at RM Creative, Inc. Architects and Interior Designers.