Founder & Managing Director

Darrinis an award-winning playwright and screenwriter who explores mental health, societal pressures on marginalized communities, and the depths of human experience through emotionally resonant storytelling. A Woodward/Newman Award Finalist for his play The Butterfly Anchor, Darrin's work has earned recognition across stage and screen, including his short film A Mother's Love, which he wrote and directed to multiple festival honors.

Beyond his creative practice, Darrin founded The Becoming Arts Collective to champion emerging playwrights and ensure their voices have a vital place in Pittsburgh's theatre ecosystem. With over 20 years of marketing leadership experience, including roles that drove transformative growth, he brings strategic vision and deep industry expertise to building sustainable pathways for new artists.

A father, husband, and believer that it's never too late to start believing, Darrin holds an MFA in Writing for Stage and Screen from Point Park University.

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https://www.facebook.com/becomingartscollective https://www.youtube.com/@BecomingArtsCollectivePgh https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-becoming-arts-collective/

Artistic Director

Barbara holds an MFA in Directing from Illinois State University and worked with Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company before relocating to Pittsburgh 20 years ago. Her recent directorial work includes So, There's a Leprechaun Now? (City Paper's Best Theater Production 2024), Pippin at Little Lake Theatre (Broadway World's Best Director of a Musical 2022), and multiple award-winning productions at the Pittsburgh New Works Festival.

An Associate Professor of Theatre and English at Robert Morris University, Barbara's work has received national recognition from the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. She also serves as a teaching artist for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Her research on theme park immersion and accessibility has been presented at national conferences and featured in USA Today.

Artistic Producer

Heather is a passionate theatre creator who brings a unique blend of artistic insight and real-world empathy to every production. A lifelong lover of storytelling and a classically trained soprano in recovery, she now channels her creative energy into the collaborative process of theatre-making, often partnering with her husband on projects that center on humanity, resilience, and transformation.

She is also a proud wife and mother, roles that continue to inspire her creative voice and deepen her connection to the stories she helps bring to life.

https://www.facebook.com/heatherpfriedman https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-becoming-arts-collective/

Community Outreach and Development Manager

Darby Baublitz is a multi-faceted creative based in Pittsburgh, PA, experienced in writing, acting, stage management, and podcasting. She has studied theater and film at The Barrow Group and NYU in New York City, as well as Ensemble and Nancy Mosser Studios here in Pittsburgh. She is excited to be a part of a team of theater professionals who believe in the magic of emerging artists! 

Artistic Associate

As a Pittsburgh newcomer and young performer, Err is excited to be joining a community of passionate artists who bring art to the stage that is thought-provoking and challenging to the stereotypes that hold us back. Err is a recent graduate of The University of California, Santa Cruz majoring in Theatre Arts and minoring in Western Art Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance. A lifelong artist and young soprano, they continue their vocal studies and storytelling in a way that uplifts minority voices, teaches the audience something new, and recognizes the political climate of the world. 

Artistic Associate – Production Design

Lillie (she/they) is a scenic, props, SFX, display, and puppet artist local to Pittsburgh. They are always striving to bring something innovative to each project, utilizing the world around her as a constant source of inspiration! She aims to evoke a sense of wonder in their audiences by turning mere words into fully immersive experiences. Lillie has collaborated with The New Hazlett Theater, Germantown Community Theater, The Royal Ballet, and many other companies in the Pittsburgh area.

Artistic Associate

Nathan is a graduate of Youngstown State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. He has over a decade of experience as a theatre maker and a lifetime of experience as a theatre lover. Though he began as an actor, he also has experience as an administrator, director, dramaturg, educator, and playwright. As an artist he seeks to promote empathy and encourage audiences to seek out unique voices and perspectives. As a producer he has a profound interest in cultivating the passions of fellow artists and igniting the interests of burgeoning lovers of theatre. He is a collaborator by practice and by philosophy, and he strives to create a theatrical and professional space where all can feel welcomed and comfortable.