Actors Collective
The Actors Collective (formerly Core Company) is a training-first program for new and emerging actors to develop the skills and experience necessary to launch their careers. Members of the Collective will train together throughout the year by attending workshops hosted by industry professionals, serve as artistic ambassadors to guest artists and the larger community, and understudy select Public productions.
2025-2026 Actors Collective
- Ethan Davis Butler is thrilled to become a member of The Public’s Actors Collective as it returns for its second year! Recent Credits: Sebastian in Public Works Twelfth Night (The Public Theater), Constellations (Riverfront Theatre Company), and Perdita by Nathan Wagner (New Hazlett Theater).
- Mary-Caitlin Cox is a Pittsburgh-based actress with her BA in theater arts from CCNY. She has been heavily involved in this wonderful city’s rich theater scene since 2023. Past roles include Charlotte (Charlotte’s Web, Heritage Players), Myra Arundel (Hayfever, Ben Avon Community Players), and Jane Bennet (Pride and Prejudice, Pittsburgh Savoyards). Thank you for supporting local theater artists!
- Liam Gannon was born and raised in Pittsburgh. You may have seen him in Uncumber Theatrics shadow play Wee Beasties, as Doctor, or the New Works play The Bowl as Josh. He has forthcoming performances in films, Pork and Nips and How to Rob a Bank. Now he is proud to be a member of this year’s Actors Collective.
- Caity Skalski (kiki) is a Pittsburgh-born artist and an alumna of Elon University's BFA program. She performed on the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella and has appeared in a number of other local and regional productions. She recently debuted her original work with MICHIYAYA Dance, showcasing their interdisciplinary approach to art. She is deeply honored to be a part of The Public’s Actors Collective.
- Sarah JK Shoemaker is an actor and improviser celebrating her first year in Pittsburgh. She holds an MFA in Acting from CalArts and previously served as Associate Artistic Director at Curious Comedy in Portland, OR. Before relocating, she was a Company Member with Comedy Dance Chicago. Sarah’s recent theater work includes Mundane Mysteries (Bramble Theatre), Faustus Financial (Otherworld Theatre), You Are Happy (Red Theater), and Metamorphosis (Moving Arts Collective). On screen, she has appeared in The Other Woman, Age of Stone and Sky, and Proverbs 31. If you want to keep up with her, give her a follow on Instagram: @s.jk.s
- Mike Zolovich is ecstatic to be a part of the Public's Actors Collective! Having lived in Pittsburgh for the last 10 years, he’s had the privilege of performing in many productions and spaces across the city, including at The Public. Mike is proud to have received much of his training in Theatre Arts from the University of Pittsburgh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the purpose of the Actors Collective?
The Actors Collective is a training-first program for new and emerging actors to develop the skills and experience necessary to launch their careers. Members will train together throughout the year by attending free workshops hosted by industry professionals, serve as artistic ambassadors to guest artists and the larger community, and understudy in certain roles in The Public’s mainstage productions.
Does the Collective require weekday day-time (9am-5pm) availability?
The program primarily takes place on Monday nights for workshops and then evenings for attending tech and previews when assigned to a production. The day-time requirements include first rehearsal and understudy rehearsals when assigned to a production. Members will be invited to attend more rehearsals pending their own availability and interest.
Can members have full-time employment?
Yes! The planned day-time commitment is quite minimal and we will work with members in advance around scheduling that works with their jobs. As this is a training-first program, it is not intended to take the place of full-time or part-time employment.
Are members called for all performances?
No. Members will understudy 1-2 roles throughout the entire PPT season. For productions where a member has been assigned to cover, they agree to be available and local (within 30 minutes) to Pittsburgh during scheduled performances but are not required to be at the theater each night. Schedule conflicts or travel that would make them unavailable to go on for a performance must be communicated in advance.
Do members pay for workshops? What types of trainings are included in this program?
No. The entire scope of educational trainings, workshops, and Play/Practice events are free to members. These workshops take place weekly on Monday nights and span topics such as Solo Performance, Combat and Physical Training, Vocal and Dialect Coaching, etc. These workshops are taught by visiting guest artists, resident artists, and other industry experts.
Will members be Teaching Artists?
No. One of the workshop offerings that members will take is a Teaching Artist training with our Senior Educational Program Manager. This gives the Collective a better understanding of the Public’s other educational programs and gives training in how to be a teaching artist, however the Company members will not have Teaching Artist responsibilities. They may be able to apply for a TA position in future seasons.
What is the compensation for this program?
In addition to the free trainings and workshops, the members will receive a $1,000 stipend per assigned understudy track in recognition of their commitment and to cover personal costs, transportation, parking, etc. When understudying, they will receive a payment of $175.17 (equivalent to the standard LORT C 1/6th AEA bump) for any time they go on for a public performance up to the weekly LORT C AEA salary of $1051.
Does the Actors Collective replace union actors’ jobs?
Pittsburgh Public Theater will not cut any Equity jobs, and we can’t – the art we make isn’t possible without the incredible talent unions bring to our stages. The Collective will provide more opportunities – not fewer – with a focus on providing education and growth opportunities for emerging artists who may one day pursue membership in actors’ unions.
Will The Public still have union understudies?
This season, The Public has more AEA principal contracts and an equal number of AEA understudy contracts as last season. The Public is committed to providing an abundance of opportunities for artists at all stages of their careers, including seasoned AEA members and fresh faces alike.
Why can’t AEA members participate?
The Actors Collective program is not covered under an AEA contract. AEA members – and members of the other 4A performing unions (AGMA, AGVA, GIAA, or SAG-AFTRA)– can still audition and participate in the usual avenue through our AEA-contract covered principal, understudy, and stage management roles for our mainstage productions and developmental work.
Will members be able to audition for mainstage principal roles?
No, while serving in the Actors Collective, members will not be eligible to audition for principal roles in our productions but may audition in subsequent seasons.
How can I audition for The Public’s mainstage productions?
The Equity Principal Auditions (EPA) for the 2025-2026 season are complete. Information about open show-specific auditions will be announced here and on the AEA audition website on a rolling basis.