Text on black background reads 'A VIBRANT ARTS INCUBATOR FOR THE PITTSBURGH STAGE' in white capital letters.

We are The Becoming Arts Collective, a thriving theatre company of artists dedicated to bringing the transformative power of live theatre to the Pittsburgh community.

who We are

We are a collective of passionate theatre artists celebrating emerging voices by exploring storytelling that fosters empathy and connection in a time when the world needs it.

We are The Becoming Arts Collective. 

What We Believe

We believe in crafting performances that resonate and inspire. Whether you are an actor, director, theatre artist, or patron, we invite you to join us on this thrilling journey to become an integral part of that mission.

Together, let’s create a space where every voice matters and where everyone feels connected.

Because art can provide that.

2025 - 2026

Season

  • Event poster for Bridges and Stages, a 10-minute play festival, presented by The Becoming Arts Collective in partnership with Broken Arts Entertainment, featuring an urban city landscape with a bridge at night.

    The 2025 Bridges and Stages 10-Minute Play Festival

    Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, 7:00 pm
    Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, 7:00 pm
    Carnegie Stage

    Join us as we celebrate the power of short-form theatre with this dynamic collection of 10-minute plays by playwrights from Pittsburgh and worldwide.

    Playwrights include: Dana Hall, Darrin J. Friedman, Debra A. Cole, FJ Hartland, Jacquelyn Priskorn, JD Trafford, John Mabey, John Patrick Bray, Kim El, Matt Henderson, Mike Byham, Nathan Wagner, Philip Middleton Williams, Randy Hunt, Robert J. LeBlanc, Sam Lander, Staci Backauskas, & TJ Young

    Festival Details

  • Poster for 'Refracted Light' by Dana Hall, presented by The Becoming Arts Collective, featuring a lighthouse and a rainbow in a rainy sky.

    Refracted Light

    November 20th - 23rd 2025
    Carnegie Stage

    By Dana Hall
    Directed by Ponny Conomos Jahn

    As Penny Harris prepares to leave for college, a family's world shifts under the weight of change. Struggling with mental health challenges and the fear of the unknown, each family member must confront their own vulnerabilities, past mistakes, and the deep bonds that hold them together. A raw and heartfelt story about growth, resilience, and unconditional love.

  • A vintage office with a leather chair, wooden desk, stacks of books, papers, a table lamp, and a bulletin board filled with notes, in a sunlit room.

    Attachment Theory

    January 22nd - 25th, 2026
    Carnegie Stage

    By Darrin J. Friedman
    Directed by Dana Hardy Bingham

    Amidst a relentless snowstorm, a family grieves over the sudden loss of a beloved father and husband. Driven by an unwavering determination to continue her father’s work, a young woman battles with the reality that, to achieve this, she must push herself beyond what she thought were her limits. But just when she believes she can navigate it all, a mysterious stranger arrives, shattering everything she thought she knew about herself and the people she loves. Consumed by confusion and rage, she is left grappling with one haunting question: what’s next?

Buy Tickets Here

Meet the Team

  • A man wearing glasses and a light blue collared shirt, resting his chin on his hand with a thoughtful expression, in front of a dark wooden background.

    Darrin J. Friedman

    Founder & Managing Director

  • 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

  • A woman with red hair and blue eyes smiling, wearing a gray top, against a blurred outdoor background.

    Heather P. Friedman

    Artistic Producer

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with wavy hair, wearing a tank top and layered necklaces.

    Ponny Conomos Jahn

    Artist in Residence

Learn More
  • A man with glasses and a beard wearing a light blue shirt, resting his chin on his hand and looking into the camera in a dimly lit indoor setting.

    Darrin J. Friedman

    Founder & Managing Director

  • 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

  • Headshot of a woman with shoulder-length red hair, blue eyes, wearing a gray top, smiling, with a blurred green outdoor background.

    Heather P. Friedman

    Artistic Producer

  • A woman with wavy hair and a smile, wearing a sleeveless top, in black and white photo.

    Ponny Conomos Jahn

    Artist in Residence

Learn More

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.

Media Coverage

Classes

Empty theater with red seats and a spotlight on the floor, with overlay text promoting "The ACTOR'S Forum" event about imagination and truth, taught by Ponny Conomos Jahn.

The Becoming Arts Collective presents “Imagination & Truth: The Uta Hagen Technique,” taught by our artist-in-residence, Ponny Conomos Jahn.

This day-long master class for experienced non-Equity actors will focus on the pursuit of authentic character development through several skill-based exercises developed by the legendary Uta Hagen.

Uta says, “We must overcome the notion that we must be regular ... it robs you of the chance to be extraordinary …”

Ponny says, "Bringing truth to the stage is the actor’s most important responsibility—to themselves and their audience. Let us show you how."

When: Sept. 27 & Dec. 13, 2025

Cost: $125 

Location: TBD (in the South Hills)

Each class is limited to 10 participants. To sign up for the class, please email darrin@thebecomingartscollective.com and secure your place today!

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. 

Thanks to our 2025

Platinum Sponsor

Logo of D G Perry CPAs + Advisors featuring a teal geometric diamond shape above the company name in white text on a black background.

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