ACT ONE Theatre School
ACT ONE Theatre School, 11403 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA 15090
About
ACT ONE Theatre School offers theatre programs that include a High School Program, a K–1st Grade program, a 2nd–8th Grade program, and the Act One Summer Camp. ACT ONE Theatre School has been changing children's lives for over 30 years and was founded in 1986.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
The leadership team includes Executive & Artistic Director Mark Domencic, Executive & Managing Director Janet Van Cott Domencic, Founder Karen Cordaro, High School Program Coordinator Julianne Avolio, Production Consultant & Alumni Liaison J.R. Hall, Technical Director Jared Pfennigwerth, and Accounting Manager Christine Roman. ACT ONE Theatre School offers programs for Kindergarten through high school for summer fun. The mission of ACT ONE Theatre School states that an atmosphere of acceptance and fun helps children and teens hone their skills and creativity, and that students are motivated by excellent literature, sensitive instructors, and high-quality performance expectations to gain professionalism, critical ability, and lifelong self-confidence.
Staff credentials include advanced degrees and specialized training in music, theatre, education, and related fields. Mark Domencic holds a BFA and MM in Piano Performance from Carnegie Mellon University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Music Education from Boston University. Janet Van Cott Domencic received a BA in Sociology from Dickinson College and studied Voice with Brenda Smith, Charlotte Sonne, and Myrna Paris. Karen Cordaro holds a BA in Psychology from Seton Hill College, teacher certification in secondary English, and attended the University of Pittsburgh for post graduate studies. J.R. Hall received his BA in Speech Communications from the University of Pittsburgh and his MFA in Playwriting from Carnegie Mellon University. Christine Roman holds a BA in Accounting & Finance from Robert Morris University. Delaney Bird holds a BA in Theatre and a BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology from West Liberty University, as well as an MFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. Theo Allyn’s training includes the Atlantic Theatre Company Acting School and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Community involvement and professional work by staff include college teaching, theatre work, writing, and directing. Mark Domencic’s current faculty appointments include Professor of Music at the Community College of Allegheny County, Artist Lecturer in Music Theory at Carnegie Mellon University, and Head of the CCAC Allegheny Campus Humanities Department, with past faculty appointments at Robert Morris University and California University of PA, and music directing for theatre companies including Pittsburgh CLO and Saint Vincent Summer Theatre. Karen Cordaro wrote the script and co-wrote the lyrics for SESJUN, directed the ROUTE 66 performance with the cast of The Bold and the Beautiful in Rotterdam, wrote lyrics for a WELLA BALSAM European commercial, wrote lyrics for Ernie Sabella’s opening song at the Ensemble Studio Theatre’s award gala in New York City, and has written for Paramount International. J.R. Hall was commissioned to adapt John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row for the National Steinbeck Festival’s 50th Anniversary celebration and completed a commission from Beacon College for the book of a musical entitled Normal-C. Julianne Avolio has taught with Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Arcade Comedy Theatre, City Theatre, and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Delaney Bird works locally with Pittsburgh Performance Society and Saltworks Theatre Company. Theo Allyn has regional and local credits with multiple theatres including City Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre/Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Dobama Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Diversionary Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Quantum Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, and Pittsburgh Irish and Classical. Jeffrey Chips is the Founder and Artistic Director of Steel City Shakespeare Center and has directed productions with Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks.
Credentials and awards connected to staff include recognition for productions featuring ACT ONE instructors. Dobama Theatre’s Little Women, in which Theo Allyn played Jo, was awarded Best Non Musical Production of 2023 Cleveland. This Beautiful City with Diversionary Theatre received a San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for Theo Allyn.
A testimonial from a former student states, “Act One was a life-changing experience for me– it gave me the confidence and courage to walk through the rest of my life as no one else but myself.” — Mia D.
Last updated July 10, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
The leadership team includes Executive & Artistic Director Mark Domencic, Executive & Managing Director Janet Van Cott Domencic, Founder Karen Cordaro, High School Program Coordinator Julianne Avolio, Production Consultant & Alumni Liaison J.R. Hall, Technical Director Jared Pfennigwerth, and Accounting Manager Christine Roman. ACT ONE Theatre School offers programs for Kindergarten through high school for summer fun. The mission of ACT ONE Theatre School states that an atmosphere of acceptance and fun helps children and teens hone their skills and creativity, and that students are motivated by excellent literature, sensitive instructors, and high-quality performance expectations to gain professionalism, critical ability, and lifelong self-confidence.
Staff credentials include advanced degrees and specialized training in music, theatre, education, and related fields. Mark Domencic holds a BFA and MM in Piano Performance from Carnegie Mellon University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Music Education from Boston University. Janet Van Cott Domencic received a BA in Sociology from Dickinson College and studied Voice with Brenda Smith, Charlotte Sonne, and Myrna Paris. Karen Cordaro holds a BA in Psychology from Seton Hill College, teacher certification in secondary English, and attended the University of Pittsburgh for post graduate studies. J.R. Hall received his BA in Speech Communications from the University of Pittsburgh and his MFA in Playwriting from Carnegie Mellon University. Christine Roman holds a BA in Accounting & Finance from Robert Morris University. Delaney Bird holds a BA in Theatre and a BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology from West Liberty University, as well as an MFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. Theo Allyn’s training includes the Atlantic Theatre Company Acting School and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Community involvement and professional work by staff include college teaching, theatre work, writing, and directing. Mark Domencic’s current faculty appointments include Professor of Music at the Community College of Allegheny County, Artist Lecturer in Music Theory at Carnegie Mellon University, and Head of the CCAC Allegheny Campus Humanities Department, with past faculty appointments at Robert Morris University and California University of PA, and music directing for theatre companies including Pittsburgh CLO and Saint Vincent Summer Theatre. Karen Cordaro wrote the script and co-wrote the lyrics for SESJUN, directed the ROUTE 66 performance with the cast of The Bold and the Beautiful in Rotterdam, wrote lyrics for a WELLA BALSAM European commercial, wrote lyrics for Ernie Sabella’s opening song at the Ensemble Studio Theatre’s award gala in New York City, and has written for Paramount International. J.R. Hall was commissioned to adapt John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row for the National Steinbeck Festival’s 50th Anniversary celebration and completed a commission from Beacon College for the book of a musical entitled Normal-C. Julianne Avolio has taught with Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Arcade Comedy Theatre, City Theatre, and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Delaney Bird works locally with Pittsburgh Performance Society and Saltworks Theatre Company. Theo Allyn has regional and local credits with multiple theatres including City Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre/Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Dobama Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Diversionary Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Quantum Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, and Pittsburgh Irish and Classical. Jeffrey Chips is the Founder and Artistic Director of Steel City Shakespeare Center and has directed productions with Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks.
Credentials and awards connected to staff include recognition for productions featuring ACT ONE instructors. Dobama Theatre’s Little Women, in which Theo Allyn played Jo, was awarded Best Non Musical Production of 2023 Cleveland. This Beautiful City with Diversionary Theatre received a San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for Theo Allyn.
A testimonial from a former student states, “Act One was a life-changing experience for me– it gave me the confidence and courage to walk through the rest of my life as no one else but myself.” — Mia D.
Last updated July 10, 2026.
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