The Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Franz Welser-Möst presented the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Concert at beautiful Severance Hall in Cleveland, Ohio, on January 14, 2018. Written and Designed by Lynne Squilla.
Online celebration and fundraiser to restore and light the powerful St. Nicholas church murals of Croatian artist Maxo Vanka; unique works with religious, social justice, and anti-war themes. Music, spoken word, art and impressions of these priceless murals rounded out the live online event, including offerings from mezzo-soprano Demareus Cooper, actors Mark Rylance and David Conrad, singers Mike Stout, Jason Kendall and Casey Deeley, and more.
Pittsburgh Festival Opera’s 2020 season went virtual, with Artists from around the country recording their stunning arias for a unique online offering of 6 programs.
In the late 1930s, German and Austrian Jews were desperate to escape Nazi persecution, but country after country closed their doors to them. One place that didn’t was the international port city of Shanghai. where nearly 20,000 refugees fled. Shanghai: Harbor From The Holocaust is the story told by some of these survivors.
Though settled in a poor and disease-ridden city, these Jews were accepted by the Chinese inhabitants, and helped by long-established Baghdadi and Russian Jewish communities already living there. The new Jewish refugees acclimated and even thrived.
These “Shanghailanders,” who survived when millions of their families and friends perished in the Holocaust, carried the memory of Shanghai with them into their new lives after WWII.
Produced with Pittsburgh Festival Opera, two whimsical operas for the stage: Spoon Mountain and Windstorm in Bubble Land, originally written by the late Fred Rogers and appearing on the PBS children’s program, Mister Rogers Neighborhood in the early 1980s. Additional orchestration by Rob Frankenberry, stage-directed by Tomé Cousin.
This film tells how love, honor, music and tradition can vanquish intolerance, hatred and violence. Each of the violins in this program represents a story of human tragedy. They belonged to starving Jewish refugees, trudging the forsaken roads of World War II Europe; to concentration camp victims, forced to play during the executions of tens of thousands of innocent people; to desperate inhabitants of the Warsaw ghetto and to those who perished under dark, unknown circumstances These instruments survived hell, to be lovingly restored by Israeli master violin-maker Amnon Weinstein and sent back out into the world to be played and heard… to defy those who tried to silence them and a people.
Television production of an original gospel-opera by Librettist Tameka Cage Conley, Composer Dwayne Fulton and Stage Director Mark Clayton Southers, dramatizing the tragedy and ultimate healing that follow the shooting of a young Black man by a rogue White cop.
The inspiring story of the oldest African-American performing arts theater in America, the Karamu House near Cleveland, Ohio. From the Swahili word meaning “place of joyful gatherings,” Karamu began as a settlement house for European immigrants and quickly accepted African Americans migrating from the South. Hosted by James Pickens, Jr., Karamu House alum and Grey’s Anatomy cast member.
A series of special events and plays commemorating the 125th Anniversary of this tragic clash between steelworkers and mill owner Andrew Carnegie, backed by Henry Clay Frick and hired Pinkerton guards. Plays included Shakespeare and the Battle of Homestead, an original co-written by actor-playwrights Mark Rylance (Chicago 7, Dunkirk, Bridge of Spies), and Peter Reder, along with favorite Pittsburgh actors – and a second play by former steelworker and Pittsburgh Playwrights founder, Mark Southers.
Two lively, entertaining music shows for National PBS:
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN AT THE RAINBOW ROOM:
Two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy-nominated entertainer, Michael Feinstein headlines this all-star evening with performances by Tony winner and Emmy-nominated artist, Christine Ebersole; American Idol sensation Jessica Sanchez; the dynamic tap duo, the Manzari Brothers; Oscar-nominated June Squibb and many more surprises. The show is written and directed by Desperate Housewives creator and writer Marc Cherry. This performance will reopen the legendary New York nightclub, the Rainbow Room, where stars were born and legends perform.
NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH MICHAEL FEINSTEIN AT THE RAINBOW ROOM:
Ring in the New Year with two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy-nominated entertainer, Michael Feinstein with celebrity performances including Broadway and television star, Megan Hilty; Oscar, Tony, and Emmy Winner Liza Minnelli, the National Broadway Chorus and many more all-star celebrity entertainers to be announced. The show is written and directed by Desperate Housewives creator and writer Marc Cherry. This performance celebrates the legendary New York nightclub, the Rainbow Room, where stars were born and legends perform.
Broadway Or Bust, 3 Episodes
This non-fiction drama tracks the real life stories of America’s top high school musical performers vying in the ultimate competition for a chance at Broadway stardom.
Associate Producer, Shooting Treatments, Field Producer
National Institute of Justice & Penn State University
Learning from the tragedies at Columbine High and other incidents of school violence
Producer/Writer/Director
School of Arts & Sciences video content
Over two dozen downloadable segments featuring remarkable faculty, research, students and academic offerings from the University of Pittsburgh.
Producer/Writer/Director
National Geo Today
Mail Pouch Barns, The Georgia Guidestones, Kayaking Talulah Gorge, Kudzu-The Vine That Ate The South
and other stories
Story Segment Producer/Writer
sdafasdfasas
Top Gun Over Moscow –
Documentary on the Russian vs. US Airforces
Writer-Producer & Co-Director
The Great Robot Race –
DARPA-sponsored contest to create the best unmanned vehicles
Script and Story Consultant
The War That Made America: 4-Part Series
on the French & Indian War
Supervising Producer
Fred Rogers’ Heroes – Who’s Helping America’s Children?
Profiles of 4 individuals making a difference in the lives of young people
Hosted by Fred Rogers
Segment Producer-Writer and Editor
Dream Jets
Luxury aircraft of the rich and famous, including John Travolta and Carly Simon
Story Concept Developer and Field Producer
Adjunct Professor
Taught a combination undergraduate and graduate course on Broadcast Television Production, which also required students to write, shoot and edit a half-hour magazine format program, “What’s the 4-1-2?”
Faces of Promise & Hope: Russian Orphanages Reborn
Child Development experts in the US and Russia introduce measures to improve the way orphans are cared for at former Soviet Baby Homes
Producer/Writer/Director
Mummies,Tombs & Various Pieces of Ancient Egypt-
Examining the famous collection of Egyptian artifacts at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh as they are carefully restored and given a new home. Some surprising discoveries happen along the way.
Writer/Producer/Director
Horse, Follow Closely Video Series
Native American Gawani Pony Boy offers traditional relationship-based techniques for training horses
Producer/Writer/Director
Underground Hip Hop Video & Eurotrash TV
Hosted by Ice-T. Unusual stories from the worlds of Hip Hop and alternative culture
Segment Producer
Classic Monster Movie Month-
Hosted by Chris Lee
Writer/Co-Producer
Jurassic Park –
The Science Behind the Movie
Writer/Co-Producer
Alien Encounter: Are We Alone In The Universe?
Science versus Science Fiction behind searches for other life in the universe
Writer/Producer/Director
Investigative Reports: Space Warriors
Examining the effectiveness of spy satellites in the post-Cold War world
Hosted by Bill Kurtis
Producer/Writer/Director
Submarines: Sharks of Steel
A look at the history of submarine development up through the US/Soviet Cold War nuclear sub programs
Series Co-Developer with Auburn Productions
Johnson & Friends
American version of popular Australian kids TV show
Supervising Producer for reversioning of original episodes
The Angry Child
In a series of news segments, Congressman Tim Murphy, also a Child Psychologist, looks at causes behind anger in adolescents
Writer/Producer
Jane Wallace Show
The Crack Epidemic in Detroit and one police officer’s courageous efforts to offer safe havens to urban kids
Segment Producer
8-station production and simulcast of documentary on youth violence prevention in Pittsburgh
Executive Producer, Writer, Coordinating Producer
Remaking Cities –
A look at how post-industrial Pittsburgh can reinvent itself, as seen through the eyes of international architects and urban planners, including the outspoken Prince Charles, who visits the city on a snow-shrouded day in 1989.
Producer/Writer/Director
Are The Kids All RIght?
Documentary on helping young people cope with addictions, early pregnancy and other issues
Producer, Writer, Director
A History in Words, Music & Images
Stage show featuring 40 readers, big-screen projected images and live band to tell 250 years of Pittsburgh history
Producer and Stage Director
Heinz Legacy –
A video, live readings and symphonic tribute to the late Senator John Heinz and his family’s legacy embodied in Heinz Hall
Concerts of the Future –
A series of innovative symphonic productions involving stage dramas and actors, light shows and videos
Writer & Stage Director
Producers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood
Various outreach videos: Children & Discipline, Using Mister Rogers in Daycare, MRN: 25 Year Anniversary
Producer/Director, Writer
Building Blocks for Life
Producer/Writer/Production Designer
Success By Six
Series Producer/Director/Writer
Cappelli & Company
Series Design and Producer/Writer
Evening Magazine –
Associate Producer, Field Producer of 500+ stories
For Kids’ Sake Campaign –
PSA Producer
Punchline weekly comedy hour
Producer, Writer for comedian/host Dennis Miller
From Nat Geo Today: Mail Pouch Barns and
Faces of Promise and Hope: Russian Orphanages Reborn
Newspaper of the Mount Washington, Pittsburgh, Community
Circulation 7,000 households
Founder, Editor-In-Chief, Writer
Profile of Audio Innovator Amar Bose
for National Inventors Hall of Fame
Opening of A&E Investigative Reports’ Space Warriors
• An Evening on Grandview –
House Tour and Restaurant Sampling with Dancing on the Observation Decks of Pittsburgh’s Grandview Avenue
• History Unveiled: Pittsburgh 1770 –
Dedication of George Washington and Guyasuta statue with speeches by Sculptor James A. West, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Seneca elder HoinJaGWaGohn, followed by a formal fundraising dinner.
• House Tours of Mount Washington –
Organized multiple years of tours of some of Pittsburgh’s most spectacular properties.
• We’ll Shoot Anything Campaign, KDKA-TV-
Giveaway of professional TV crew to tape viewer’s special event
