THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORK
Staff
The artists, producers, and organizers who bring The Becoming Arts Collective's mission to life on and off the stage.
Darrin J. Friedman
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | FOUNDER
Darrin is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter who explores the depths of human experience through emotionally resonant storytelling. A Woodward/Newman Award Finalist for his play The Butterfly Anchor, Darrin's work has earned recognition across stage and screen, including his short film A Mother's Love, which he wrote and directed, and which earned multiple festival honors. He founded The Becoming Arts Collective to champion emerging playwrights and ensure their voices have a vital place in Pittsburgh's theatre ecosystem.
Barbara Burgess Lefebvre
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Barbara is a Pittsburgh-based director and theatre-maker dedicated to developing new work and uplifting emerging voices. As Artistic Director, she shapes the collective's creative vision and leads its productions, guiding artists from first rehearsal to final bow with a collaborative, actor-centered approach. She holds an MFA in Directing from Illinois State University and worked with Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company before moving to Pittsburgh. Her recent directing credits include So, There's a Leprechaun Now? (City Paper's Best Theater Production 2024) and Pippin at Little Lake Theatre (Broadway World's Best Director of a Musical 2022). She is an Associate Professor of Theatre and English at Robert Morris University and a teaching artist for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Heather P. Friedman
MANAGING PRODUCER | OWNER
Heather brings organizational leadership and a producer's eye to every season, managing the operations, budgets, and logistics that bring bold storytelling to the stage. She works hand in hand with artists and partners to ensure each production is built on a sustainable foundation.
Aidan Quartana
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
Aidan is a theatre artist, administrator, and educator and a Point Park University theatre graduate. At The Becoming Arts Collective, he leads the technical side of every production. His credits include Rogue Artists Theatre, PCLO Academy, and Front Porch Theatricals, and he has taught at Pittsburgh CAPA, Stagedoor Manor, and Signature Theatre.
Heather Ruppert
COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Heather connects The Becoming Arts Collective with the Pittsburgh community, building relationships with local organizations, audiences, and artists. Her outreach work helps make theatre accessible and welcoming, extending the collective's mission beyond the stage and into the neighborhoods it serves.