Statements of Purpose

The Becoming Arts Collective is a vibrant group of theatre artists dedicated to amplifying the stories of emerging playwrights for the Pittsburgh stage.

We celebrate the transformative power of live theater, inviting audiences to experience storytelling that fosters empathy and connection.

Committed to crafting inspiring narratives, we welcome actors, directors, and theatre artists to join us in creating a space where every story matters.

You are welcome here!

Darrin J. Friedman
Founder & Managing Director

The Becoming Arts Collective stands as a beacon of new art, bringing the voices of emerging playwrights to the Pittsburgh stage by showcasing their unique stories for live theater.

Through a collaborative experience, we invite audiences to immerse themselves in the theater’s timeless art of storytelling, where every word spoken and play performed infuses compassion, resolve, and hope into a world that desperately needs it.

At the Collective, we sincerely hope you will be a part of what we’re doing.

You are welcome here.

Art DeConciliis
Artistic Director

join the

collective

Are you an actor, director, playwright, or other theatre artist?

The Collective is always on the search for people who want to join our mission. 

Send Us a Message

Meet the Team

  • A man with glasses, a beard, and a mustache wearing a light blue button-up shirt, resting his chin on his hand with a thoughtful expression.

    Darrin J. Friedman

    Founder & Managing Director

    Darrin is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. He explores the complexities of mental health and societal pressures upon the marginalized and tries to discover the human experience in new and relevant ways.

    Darrin is a Woodward / Newman Award Finalist for his play “The Butterfly Anchor,” and his short film "A Mother's Love," which he not only wrote but directed, has been repeatedly recognized for its screenplay in film festivals and competitions alike.

    Read more

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

  • Close-up portrait of a man with a beard and mustache, wearing a black shirt, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression against a dark background.

    Art DeConciliis

    Artistic Director

    Art has been acting and directing with a diverse number of Pittsburgh theater companies for more than 40 years, listing credits with Prime Stage Theatre Company; PICT; Stage 62; South Park Theatre; LHRT and others.

    He was a long-standing Board member, Instructor and Chair of the Artistic Committee for Little Lake Theatre Company, where he has been a part of over 200 productions. A previous Post-Gazette Performer of the Year, Art is also an active voice-over artist in both the US and Canada.

    https://www.facebook.com/arthur.deconciliis

  • Portrait of a woman with red hair, fair skin, blue eyes, and a friendly smile, wearing a gray sweater, standing outdoors with blurred green background.

    Heather P. Friedman

    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/

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length wavy hair, looking at the camera in black and white.

    Ponny Conomos Jahn

    Artist in Residence

    In a career spanning over 3 decades, Ponny Conomos Jahn has worked the gamut of the extended theatre industry. From non-theatrical performance coaching to leading dramatic writing workshops, she believes wholeheartedly that skilled theatre instruction enriches direction and purpose which, in turn, creates inspired performance.

    https://www.facebook.com/ponny.jahn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ponny-conomos-153365254/

  • A young person with short curly brown hair, glasses, and multiple earrings, wearing gothic-style black jewelry, smiling against a lilac background.

    Err Shirley

    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. 

  • Smiling young person with chin length wavy hair and glasses outdoors in sunlight.

    Lillie Tuck

    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.

  • A young man with curly brown hair, glasses, and a beard, wearing a black shirt, a purple tie, and a brown vest, smiling against a black background.

    Nathan Wagner

    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.

Reach Out

Meet the Team

  • A man with glasses, a beard, and a mustache wearing a light blue dress shirt, resting his chin on his hand, looking thoughtful.

    Darrin J. Friedman

    Founder & Managing Director

    Darrin is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. He explores the complexities of mental health and societal pressures upon the marginalized and tries to discover the human experience in new and relevant ways.

    Darrin is a Woodward / Newman Award Finalist for his play “The Butterfly Anchor,” and his short film "A Mother's Love," which he not only wrote but directed, has been repeatedly recognized for its screenplay in film festivals and competitions alike.

    Read more

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

  • Close-up portrait of a man with a beard and mustache, wearing a black shirt, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression against a dark background.

    Art DeConciliis

    Artistic Director

    Art has been acting and directing with a diverse number of Pittsburgh theater companies for more than 40 years, listing credits with Prime Stage Theatre Company; PICT; Stage 62; South Park Theatre; LHRT and others.

    He was a long-standing Board member, Instructor and Chair of the Artistic Committee for Little Lake Theatre Company, where he has been a part of over 200 productions. A previous Post-Gazette Performer of the Year, Art is also an active voice-over artist in both the US and Canada.

    https://www.facebook.com/arthur.deconciliis

  • A woman with shoulder-length red hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, smiling at the camera, wearing a gray top, with a blurred green outdoor background.

    Heather P. Friedman

    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/

  • A woman with shoulder-length wavy hair smiling at the camera, in black and white

    Ponny Conomos Jahn

    Artist in Residence

    In a career spanning over 3 decades, Ponny Conomos Jahn has worked the gamut of the extended theatre industry. From non-theatrical performance coaching to leading dramatic writing workshops, she believes wholeheartedly that skilled theatre instruction enriches direction and purpose which, in turn, creates inspired performance.

    https://www.facebook.com/ponny.jahn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ponny-conomos-153365254/

  • A young person with short curly brown hair, glasses, and multiple earrings, wearing gothic-style black jewelry, smiling against a lilac background.

    Err Shirley

    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. 

  • Smiling young person with chin length wavy hair and glasses outdoors in sunlight.

    Lillie Tuck

    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.

  • Portrait of a smiling young man with curly brown hair, beard, glasses, wearing a dark vest, black shirt, purple tie, against a black background.

    Nathan Wagner

    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.

Reach Out

Building Creativity:
A Capital Campaign

Imagine a space where creativity thrives, artists gather, and inspiration becomes reality.

Your support makes this vision possible. Every contribution fuels productions and opportunities for artists to grow. Together, we can build a creative hub that enriches our community.

Join us in making this dream a reality.

Donate Now

Thanks to our 2025

Platinum Sponsor

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