Point Park University Announces Director Appointments At Pittsburgh Playhouse

Point Park University announced today the appointments of Steven Breese as the new Artistic Director and Dean of the Conservatory of Performing Arts and Drew Martorella as the Assistant Vice President and Managing Director of the award-winning Pittsburgh Playhouse.

As Artistic Director and Dean of the Conservatory of Performing Arts, Steven Breese assumes the position formerly held by Ronald Allan-Lindblom. Breese will direct programming for the University's award-winning Pittsburgh Playhouse and its state-of-the-art Cinema and Animation labs and the 8-studio George Rowland White Performance Center. As Dean of the University's renowned Conservatory, Breese will establish an overall artistic vision for the Playhouse as well as be responsible for ensuring the highest quality undergraduate and graduate educations in theater, dance and cinema.

Prior to joining Point Park, Breese was Dean of the College of Arts, Communication and Design at Long Island University in New York. An accomplished theatre professional, Breese's background includes a national and international acting, directing and playwriting career that has spanned more than 30 years. He has worked at Tony Award-winning regional theaters, including The Cleveland Playhouse, South Coast Repertory and Dallas Theatre Center.

As Assistant Vice President and Managing Director of the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Drew Martorella will develop programming, audiences and cross-disciplinary education opportunities for Point Park's academic community. Martorella will work closely with newly appointed Dean of the Conservatory of the Performing Arts to maximize opportunities to showcase and leverage the award-winning Pittsburgh Playhouse facilities, and collaborate with other arts organizations to engage audiences locally, regionally and nationally.

Martorella was formerly the Executive Director of UCCS Presents at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). There he was responsible for building support for arts and fostering community engagement through the operation of the Ent Center for the Arts and its programs including the Artists Series; Theatreworks, the region's premiere professional theater; the Galleries of Contemporary Art, and the University Center and Event Services.

"We are thrilled to welcome Steven and Drew to Point Park," said Paul Hennigan, President of Point Park University. "Their fresh energy, commitment and vision to the University's mission for our nationally-recognized Conservatory and award-winning Pittsburgh Playhouse will set the agenda for years to come and provide an exceptional student academic experience as well an entertaining, unique and thought-provoking slate of programming for the public."