Lauren Zito
(Zahn, Justine, The Bishop)
Lauren graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 1992 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts and a Bachelors of Arts in Art History, then in 1994 graduated from
the University of Pennsylvania with a Masters of Fine Arts, with a primary focus on sculpture.
After spending a few years in sunny California, she moved to the town of Pittsburgh. Upon touching down in the steel city, she immediately went to work at the Carnegie Museum of Art, where she worked at the administrative level for approximately 3 years - planning, coordinating, and assisting curators with the development of nationally recognized exhibitions, art installations, and art handling. Lauren slowly phased out the art handling career to fill her time exclusively with teaching, her true passion. She currently is a Faculty member at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh & Duquesne University.
In 2007 she embarked on creating The Weakness. A very long term project that has taken over her life. In a nutshell: it’s a gender-bending, neo-noir style web serial, a coming-of-age story… only with vampires. She plays the 3 primary roles — a 400+ year old vampire with a Billy Idol complex, an even older vampire with a desperate and panicked taste for young blood and a young woman who is sweet, loony, yet always inappropriately dressed in prom-wear who knows a lot more than she is letting on.
In 2009, with the help of her other hat wearer - she created and truly is the heart and soul behind Francis Rocks! Productions.
Ron Siler(Richard Quinn)
Ron is a Pittsburgh native and before joining The Weakness, you were more likely to find him on stage somewhere around town in front of a live audience. He has been acting in theatre in Pittsburgh for the last 17 years. He attended California University and has B.S. in Theater Communications.
Some of his stage work credits include Picasso at Lapin Aglie, Don't Drink the Water, Alice in Wonderland, The Haunting of Hill House, Cry Havoc, The Rocky Horror Show, Torch Song Trilogy Run For Your Wife, and Picnic.
Ron also works steadily with Pittsburgh Opera and was recently seen as 'Carmen's lover' in Carmen and as 'Monsieur Guillot' in their production of Eugene Onegin. Ron also works with one of Pittsburgh's great theatrical comedy troupes- Mystery's Most Wanted. He has also directed for the California University Rep Players & IOL Productions; and worked with Pittsburgh Fright Nights.
Initially Ron answered a casting call back in August 2008 for the re-casting of the role of the Priest. But a simple audition led him to go beyond just actor - and become writer, co-director and do character development for The Weakness. This adventure then led him to being the co-founder of Francis Rocks! Productions.
Rich Eckmann (Elliott)
Rich is a native Pittsburgher and is blessed to have been working steadily in the theatre and film community for more years than he can count. He has also worked with the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Pittsburgh Queer Theatre, Carlow College Theatre, Pittsburgh Provoke Theatre, Baldwin Players, Rage of the Stage Players, and numerous times with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival.
Among his favorite roles are Baron Van Swieten in Amadeus, Dr. Seward in Dracula-Dragon Prince, Felix in The Odd Couple, & Stanley in Run For Your Wife. In addition to theatre, Rich has been in commercials & industrial videos, as well as motion pictures such as The Screening (as the British Goth/Punk rocker Alistair), Camilla's Kiss, Hoffa, Only You, Darrow, & Roommates. Recently he was the unlucky (but very excited) owner of a house haunted by a very angry ghost in The Night I Was Murdered. Rich also spent a year in New York City, where he auditioned for Mr. Francis Ford Coppola.
Rich has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is very excited to be working on The Weakness, and is looking forward to the lovely mayhem to come!
Elizabeth Pursh(Sister Elizabeth)
Andrew Smith (Father Michael)
Andrew lives and works in the city of Pittsburgh with his wife Maura. He has had twenty-seven different jobs from paramedic to tour guide, and his love for exploration has taken him half way around the world - twice!
Andrew is a student at the local community college and is majoring in "following directions" with a minor in "not rocking the boat." His also an aspiring author, actor, photographer, filmmaker, tailor, politician, philosopher, sharpshooter, handyman, and retiree. His seminal passion is the city of Pittsburgh itself - he drives a cab.
He is very excited to be working double duty on The Weakness - both behind and in front of the camera.
Jordan Robinson(Merl)
Jordan is psyched to be included in The Weakness! She is a graduate of Chatham University with a B.A. in Theatre-Acting / Track. She has performed her whole life, starting with singing in the church choir, to dancing in various places such as in Pittsburgh's The Nutcracker, and most recently transitioning into acting with her debut role as the Apothecary in Romeo and Juliet.
Jordan also has experience in stage management work, costuming, set designing and building, and lighting. Her credits include Bye Bye Birdie, Black Nativity, Alice in Wonderland, and The Suitcase with some extra roles in The Invasion, C Me Dance, and Sorority Row.
Chkjhopyright . Francis Rocks! Productions. All rights reserved. 