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Friday, June 01, 2001

There are many cultural leaders poised to make significant contributions to Pittsburgh. Here are 10 we're keeping our eyes on. (Three folks from last year's Ones to Watch list joined the 15 newcomers on this year's list.) In alphabetical order:

Brew House artists, residents of the former Duquesne Brewery on the South Side

Although the Brew House has been a home for intrepid artists since the 1970s, the current inhabitants recently negotiated a deal to buy one of the brewery's two buildings from the city. The purchase will allow the artists to create more living spaces, expand the activities of the gallery and collaborate more extensively with other arts groups.

Tracy Brigden, 37, artistic director, City Theatre

She's just arrived to take over as head of the second-largest nonmusical theater in town, run in the interim by David Jobin, and she'll be introduced to City Theatre supporters for the first time tomorrow night. But already she's made clear she will increase City's alternative programming in the Hamburg Studio, and by the time this appears, there may be a fuller indication of her esthetic in a revised mainstage series.

Wayne Brinda, 51, producing director, Prime Stage

Somewhere between "Goldilocks" and "Our Town," an entire generation seems to think that going to the theater is about as fun as taking out the garbage. Under the leadership of founder/producer Brinda, Prime Stage programs for teens and young adults who are most susceptible to the artistic presentation of philosophical ideas. Prime Stage commissions at least one new work each season and gives young people the opportunity to perform. As the company settles into its new digs at the Hazlett Theater, it may be on the verge of being "discovered" by the audience it has committed itself to.

Albert French, 56, writer

The author of "Billie," "Patches of Fire" and "I Can't Wait on God" presses ahead with his now well-established writing career while a film project based on his work continues to take shape. The former Post-Gazette photographer and past winner of a Creative Achievement Award from the Cultural Trust also stays active in the community with his sponsorship of the Power of the Pen high school writing workshop.

Labco, dance company

This collaborative group of young women operating out of a yoga studio on the South Side continues to improve in its fifth year. They have added strong works from New York choreographers and support local choreographers with a yearly showcase. The group is branching out with an avant-garde performance this month and will do a Dance Council-sponsored program next year with Attack Theatre.

Kevin McMahon, 48, president, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

McMahon has many directions to choose from as he begins to chart a new course for the Downtown Cultural District. He can bring different and unusual programming to the district's theaters, boost the Trust's education programs, develop new real estate projects or do all of the above -- or something unheard of.

Melissa Martin, 40, filmmaker and playwright

The longtime Pittsburgh playwright is starting to make a splash in the movie world with her first film, "The Bread, My Sweet," which she wrote and directed. Made in Pittsburgh last summer, the movie has been named Best Dramatic Feature at the Santa Monica International Film Festival. It also won the Best Feature Film award at the Houston International Film Festival.

Elizabeth Reiss, 35, executive director, Three Rivers Arts Festival

Reiss' experience is in museums -- the Children's Museum of the Arts and the American Craft Museum, both in New York City -- but she has an interest in boosting the public's access to art and is clearly excited about enlarging TRAF's impact. By next summer, the festival -- and TRAF's year-round gallery on Penn Avenue, Downtown -- could look much different than they do this year.

Diane Sutter, 50, president/CEO, Shooting Star Broadcasting

Sutter could become the new owner of Channel 16 -- if the Federal Communications Commission gives the go-ahead. The Pittsburgh native, now living in Sherman Oaks, Calif., wants to buy the station for $20 million and make it her flagship operation.

Chris Taylor, 27, development specialist for Aliquippa Alliance for Unity & Development

Taylor became involved with Aliquippa as an exhibiting artist in the annual summer festival Aliquippa Embraces Art, stepped into the seasonal job of artistic coordinator for the 1999 festival and later that year was offered a full-time position, a recognition of the importance of using the arts as a gentrification tool. In January, Aliquippa Embraces Art held its first winter exhibition, part of Taylor's plan for a year-round and more professional art presence.