The Lab presents The Weir by Conor McPherson
October 12, 2024
7:30pm
Directed by Michael Dittman
Starring Jack Senske, Matt Leslie, Thom Hilliard, Daniel Williams, Dean Weiland, and Amy Dittman
In a remote country pub in Ireland, newcomer Valerie arrives and becomes spellbound by an evening of ghostly stories told by the local bachelors who drink there. With a whiff of sexual tension in the air and the wind whistling outside, what starts out as blarney soon darkens as the tales drift into the realm of the supernatural. Then, Valerie reveals a startling story of her own…
Jack Senske is a graduate from The University of Minnesota Duluth’s BFA acting program, and some of his previous roles include: Zero in The Adding Machine, Vice Principal Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jack is a fanatical horror fan and cannot wait to bring this delightfully spooky night of ghost stories to the stage!
Thom Hilliard From his beginning in local theatre as Mr. Frencham (at the ripe old age of 56!) in Not Now Darling in 2007 at the Butler Little Theatre through his most recent performances as Lord Dudley/Henry Benish with the Red Barn Theatre in Fombell, PA (just a little west of Zelienople) in June of 2024, Thom feels fortunate and blessed to have had so many opportunities to participate in so many different shows with so many talented people.
Matt Leslie has been involved in theatre since his 8th Grade school musical. Since then he has been in over 40 different productions ranging from Shakespeare to Neil Simon to Sondheim. Matt has a BA in Theatre Performance from Seton Hill University where he honed his craft and made lifelong friendships. Matt currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Butler Little Theatre and performs at numerous theatres in the Greater Pittsburgh area. When not on stage you can find Matt supervising inventory control at the Aldi warehouse, singing with the Orchard Hill Church Butler worship team, or sharing laughs and making memories with family and friends. Matt would like to thank his cat Phoebe for suffering through the lack of cuddles while he scratches his theatrical itch.
Dean Weiland has been involved in local theatre for decades. Many of his earlier shows were at MTG, including roles in shows that include Fiddler On The Roof, Damn Yankees, 1940’s Radio Hour and Pajama Game. He also appeared in Many shows at BLT, including roles in Fox On The Fairway, Christmas Belles, The Mousetrap and U.T.B.U. Dean has served as an officer of the board with both those organizations, appreciating all the hard work that goes on to put on any show. His most recent appearance was in Hobnob Theatre’s production of The Importance Of Being Ernest.
Daniel Williams is very excited to be performing with the Reader’s Theatre for the first time (of which 75% of that excitement is from not having to actually memorize any lines). Originally from Exminster, UK (not anywhere near London – glad we cleared that up), Daniel has lived in Pittsburgh for 12 years. He has played various roles at both Hobnob Theatre Co. and Butler Little Theater, and as part of this repertoire has been seen throwing up on the audience (The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare Abridged; BLT); performing a Newt inspired mating ritual (Jeeves in Bloom; BLT) and, according to the Butler Eagle, dying very convincingly (Romeo and Juliet; Hobnob). He also runs the monthly Hobnob Theatre Improv Nights, which he has ensured are not for the faint of heart. By day, Daniel solves the great mysteries of how the Earth works by diving head-first into lava flows.
Amy Dittman Amy Dittman has had a love/hate relationship with all things spooky since reading The Amityville Horror as a teen and needing to sleep with a light on for days. Although she has happily played many a comedic role (Cori in Barefoot in the Park, Ouiser in Steel Magnolias, Mrs. Baker in Come, Blow Your Horn), she has also tried on a few darker parts (Mina in Dracula, the Devil in the 24-Hour Play Project, and soon to be seen as a witch in Macbeth) and takes great delight in exploring her ghostly side. She is very happy for the opportunity to reprise her role as Valerie in The Weir. Spine-chilling works can take many forms, sometimes subtle. Amy is excited to be a part of this one.
- contains adult language and situations