I go to the theatre to think and feel with others — to be moved with and as a part of an audience watching live storytelling in a particular time and place. I make theatre for the same reason. As a director, I approach theatre as a potent space for exploring historical possibilities. This means that, while theatre always reflects the time in which it’s made, it also has a remarkable capacity to critique and re-imagine how we represent and understand ideas, histories, identities, ourselves, and each other: to make history and explore culture.
D I R E C T I N G
Nic working with actors Paige Edge and Sean Peterson during rehearsals for UWL’s Cabaret (2025). Photo by Laurie Kincman.
Nic coaching the company of UWL’s Puffs (2024) on the movement for the snake puppet.
Photo by Laurie Kincman.
My process is deeply collaborative, and I work to build common methodologies and vocabularies that provide a foundation for mindful artistic teamwork with both my actors and designers. My work is guided by intimacy coordination best practices, allowing me to build performances out of a culture of consent that emphasizes the actors’ safety, bodily autonomy, and agency in the creative process. In educational settings, especially, I have found this yields a greater capacity and willingness on the students’ part to think about and discuss the material and make bold artistic choices. Similarly, my concept meetings with my designers are often participatory or even immersive (such as throwing a taco party for a production of the children’s play Dragons Love Tacos) so that the team knows my intellectual interpretation of a script as well as the affective feeling, style, or goals I want to achieve for our audiences.
Production archive
Click on the show title to see production photos and other information, or scroll down to view Nic’s projects in reverse chronological order.
Plays:
Dr. Faustus(UWL 2023)
Exit the King(CUP Theatre 2022)
Footfalls and Catastrophe (PittStages 2017)
The Last Train to Nibroc(UWL 2022)
On Trial (PittStages 2019)
Theatre for Young Audiences:
Dragons Love Tacos (UWL 2023)
My Days with Peter Rabbit (And His Friends) (UWL 2025)
Musicals:
Cabaret (UWL 2025)
tick, tick…BOOM! (UWL 2025)
My Days with Peter Rabbit (And His Friends)
Adapted from the Tales and letters of beatrix potter
by Nic Barilar and David Harlan
April 2026
UWL Theatre & Dance
Frederick Theatre
Production Team
Director and Dialect Coach: Nic Barilar
Stage Manager: River Podjasek
Scenic Designer & Technical Director: Nate Mohlman
Lighting Designers: Mandy Kolbe and Oliver Olson
Costume Designers: Ella Dummer and Miranda Logan
Sound Designer and Composer: David Harlan
Properties and Puppets Designer: Hailey Kluck
Assistant Stage Manager: Leah Costello
Cast
Beatrix Potter, Mother Rabbit: Amanda Visger
Norah Moore, Squirrel Nutkin, Puppy, Duckling, Sparrow 1: Maya Steffin
Noel Moore, Cousin Squirrel, Trout, Peter Rabbit: Abby Huser
Eric Moore, Old Brown, Jeremy Fisher, Kep, Mr. McGregor: Nathan Zirk
Marjorie Moore, Stickleback, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Flopsy, Old Mouse: Stella Blum
Winifred Warne, Alderman Ptolemy Tortoise, Rebecca Puddle-Duck, Puppy, Duckling, Mopsy, Sparrow 2: Gracie Lochowicz
Jack Ripley, Twinkleberry Squirrel, Sir Isaac Newton, Mr. Fox, Cottontail, White Cat: Cayden Amidei
tick, tick…BOOM!
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
David Auburn, Script Consultant
Vocal Arrangements and Orchestrations by Stephen Oremus
November 2025
UWL Theatre & Dance
Frederick Theatre
Production Team
Director: Nic Barilar
Music Director: Katie Fries
Dramaturg: Ozzy Glazer
Stage Manager: Morgan Millard
Scenic Designer: Nate Mohlman
Lighting Designers: Mandy Kolbe and Coleman Breedlove
Costume Designer: Miranda Logan
Sound and Video Designer: David Harlan
Properties Designer: Apollo Kaspryzk
Technical Director: Dylan Curvin
Production Manager and Poster Artist: Laurie Kincman
Assistant Director: Paige Huling
Assistant Stage Manager: Leah Costello
Cast
Jon: Sean Peterson
Michael: Gavin Muller
Susan: Ellie Hemming
Photographs by David Harlan
Book by Joe Masteroff,
Music by John Kander,
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Cabaret
April/May 2025
UWL Theatre & Dance
Toland Theatre
Production Team
Director, Dialect Coach, Intimacy:
Nic Barilar
Choreographer: Ashley Dobrogosz
Music Director: Kathryn Moran
Fight Director: Gregory Parmeter
Dramaturg: Avery Weston
Stage Manager: Sage Goetsch
Scenic Designer: Mandy Kolbe
Lighting Designer: Tracy V. Joe
Costume Design: Anna Wooden
Sound Designers: David Harlan and Connor Pangburn
Properties Designer: Ozzy Glazer
Projections Designer, Production Manager, Poster Artist: Laurie Kincman
Technical Director: Nate Mohlman
Assistant Director: Ella Mertes
Assistant Lighting Designer: Amber Meyers
Assistant Stage Managers: Julia Sanchez and Amanda Visger
Cast
Emcee: Sean Peterson
Rosie: Ellie Hemming
Lulu: Emma Reinhardt
Frenchie: Kaitlyn Pyburn
Texas: Natalie Giddings
Fritzie: Anna Montgomery
Helga: Eva Mason
Bobby: Will Nysse
Victor: Bowen Maki
Hans/Sailor 1: Jack Trettin
Herman/Sailor 2: Gavin Muller
Sally Bowles: Taylor Rammer
Clifford Bradshaw: Jack Augustine
Customs Officer/Max: Aiden Johnson
Ernst Ludwig: Ryan O’Connor
Fräulein Schneider: Paige Edge
Fräulein Kost: Caroline Thompson
Herr Schultz: Joshua Kaiser
Photographs: David Harlan and Manoj Khadka
Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic
By Matt Cox
OCtober 2024
UWL Theatre & Dance
Toland Theatre
Production Team
Director, Intimacy, Dialect Coach: Nic Barilar
Dramaturg: Amanda Visger
Stage Manager: Avery Weston
Scenic Designer: Mandy Kolbe
Lighting Designer: Amber Keyers
Costume Designer: Michelle Collyar
Sound Designer and Composer: David Harlan
Properties Designer: Sage Goetsch
Puppetry Designers: Ozzy Glazer, Hailey Kluck, Miranda Logan
Technical Director: Nate Mohlman
Production Manager and Poster Art: Laurie Kincman
Assistant SMs: Thomas Hall, Ellie Hemming, River Podjasek
Cast
Wayne Hopkins: Joshua Kaiser
Cedric: Michael Muma
Oliver Rivers: Matthew Tollefson
Megan Jones: Alyssa Meissner
Harry, Hermeoone 2, Rowena: Kira Hirsch
Narrator, Wayne Rivers-Jones: Jack Augustine
Sally Perks, Blondo Malfoy, Mr. Nick: Paige Edge
J. Finch, Clumsy Longbottom, 2nd Headmaster: Gavin Muller
Susie Bones, Hermeoone 1, Myrtle, Death Buddy 4: Mia Bondy
Professor McG, Sorter Hat, Xavia Jones, Helga, Dragon: Paige Huling
Seamus Finnegan, Leanne, Ghost History Teacher, Death Buddy 2: Val Fish
1st Headmaster, Hannah, Professor Lanny, Runes Teach, Ms. Babble, Frenchy: Anna Montgomery
Uncle Dave, Ernie Mac, Professor Turban, Colin, The Real Mr. Moody, Death Buddy 1: Nicholas Bilyeu
Very Tall Man, Goyle, Fat Friar, Soul-Sucking Security Guard, Sal, Viktor, Mister Voldy: Julian Goldstein
A Certain Potions Professor, Professor Locky, Hermeoone 3, Ric Gryff, Mr. Bagman, Zach Smith, Scorpy: Aidan Tucker
Anthony Goldstein, Professor Sprouty, Ginny, Soul-Sucking Security Guard, Rita Scooter, Death Buddy 3, Bippy: Amanda Visger
Photographs by David Harlan
Orlando
By Virginia Woolf
Adapted by Sarah Ruhl
May 2024
UWL Theatre & Dance
Frederick Theatre
Production Team
Director, Dialect Coach, Poster Artist: Nic Barilar
Stage Manager: Avery Weston
Intimacy Director: Mary Trotter
Dramaturg: Anna Halvorsen
Scenic Designer: August Jennings
Lighting Designer, Properties: Mandy Kolbe
Costumes and Hair Designer: Michelle Collyar
Sound Designer: Sage Goetsch
Technical Director: Sam Kallis
Makeup Design: Elin Voegeli
Assistant Stage Manager: Amber Meyers
Assistant Properties/Puppet Design: Miranda Logan
Cast
Orlando: Paige Verbsky
Queen Elisabeth I: Caitlin Elenteny
Clorinda, Young Woman, Maid I: Molly Frey
Favilla, Maid 2, Salesperson: Ellie Augustine
Euphrosyne, Barrister, Elevator Man: Kira Hirsch
Sasha: Ella Mertes
Sailor, Washwoman, Barrister: Amanda Visger
Archduchess/Archduke: Gavin Muller
Penelope Hartropp, Captain, Priest: Julia Maynard
Marmaduke Bonthrope Shelmerdine: Michael Muma
Photographs by Joe Anderson
Dr. Faustus
By Christopher Marlowe
Adapted by Nic Barilar
October 2023
UWL Theatre & Dance
Toland Theatre
Production Team
Director and Intimacy: Nic Barilar
Stage Manager: Sage Goetsch
Fight Director: Gregory Parmeter
Dramaturg: Laurie Kincman
Scenic Designers: Mandy Kolbe and August Jennings
Lighting Designer: Sarah Herkert
Costume Designer: Joe Anderson
Sound Designer: Leo Chavolla
Original Score: David Dies
Properties Designer: Julia Milne
Hair and Makeup Designer: Amber Meyers
Special Effects: Sam Kallis
Technical Director: Brodyn Byington
Assistant SMs: River Podjasek and Ellie Hemming
Poster Artist: Ellen Cervantes
Cast
Dr. Faustus: Will Nysse
Mephistopheles: Joshua Kaiser
Chorus, Lucifer: Michael Muma
Wagner, Pride, Frederick: Nicholas Bilyeu
Good/Evil Angels, Wrath, Paramour: Bao Xiong
Robin, Gluttony, Emperor: Isaac Gonzales
Old Man, Bruno: Edward Doerr
Dick, The Pope: Ryan Hustedt
Sloth, Benvolio: Gavin Muller
Demonic Woman, Covetousness, Hostess: Kaitlyn Pyburn
Lechery, Cardinal of Paris, Martino: Ellie Augustine
Envy, Archbishop of Verona, Helen of Troy: Alissa Jackson
Belzebub, Cardinal of Milan, Alexander the Great: Julian Goldstein
Photographs by joe anderson and lily Anderson Photography
March/April 2023
UWL Theatre & Dance
Frederick Theatre
Production Team
Director: Nic Barilar
Stage Manager: Sage Goetsch
Scenic Designers: Mandy Kolbe and Jess Miller
Lighting Designer: Kevin Amerling
Costumes Designer: Michelle Collyar
Sound Design: Ben Golden with the Sound Design Class
Properties: Mandy Kolbe
Technical Director: Sam Kallis
Taco Tango Choreography: Ashley Dobrogosz
by Ernie Nolan
Based on the book by adam rubin
Dragons Love Tacos
Cast
Boy: Anna Halvorsen
Dog: Cameron Cavaiuolo
Man in Suit: Nicholas Bilyeu
Red Dragon: Michael Muma
Blue Dragon: Val Fish
White Dragon: Kira Hirsch
Yellow Dragon: Paige Huling
Photographs by Joe Anderson
The Last Train to Nibroc
by Arlene Hutton
November 2022
UWL Theatre & Dance
Frederick Theatre
Production Team
Director, Dialect Coach, Intimacy: Nic Barilar
Stage Manager: Ben Hess
Scenic Designer: Jess Miller
Lighting and Properties Designer: Mandy Kolbe
Costumes Designer and Poster Artist: Joe Anderson
Sound Designer: Sam Kallis
Technical Director: Megan Morey
Assistant Stage Manager: Angela Stadler
Cast
May: Emily Babcock
Raleigh: Jake Gesteland
Photographs by joe anderson
Exit the King
by Eugène Ionesco
Translated by Donald Watson
April 2022
Clarion University Theatre
Marwick-Boyd Little Theatre
Production Team
Director: Nic Barilar
Stage Manager: Caitlin Morgan
Scenic Designer, Technical Director: Edward J. Powers
Lighting Designer: Sam Santangelo
Costume, Hair, & Makeup Designer: Julie Finlan-Powell
Sound Designer: Tyler Nardei
Properties Designer: Sarah Tychinski
Assistant Technical Director: Robert Hoover
Assistant Director: Katya Sosnowski
Assistant S.M. and Assistant Sound Designer: Erika Waldron
Poster Art: A. J. Howard
Cast
The Guard: D’Andre Thompson
King Berenger I: Nickolas Norrod
Juliette: Lindsay Victoria Smelcer
Queen Marguerite: Shelby Hostetler
Queen Marie: Jenna Joseph
The Doctor: Ada Maltony
Photographs by nic Barilar, edward powers, ae hernan
The Sugar Wife
by Elizabeth Kuti
November 2021
Clarion University of Pennsylvania Theatre
Marwick-Boyd Little Theatre
Production Team
Director, Projections Designer, Dialect Coach: Nic Barilar
Stage Manager: Tylar Nardei
Dramaturg: Brian H. Roberts
Scenic and Lighting Designer, Tech Director: Edward J. Powers
Costume Designer: Shelby Hostetler
Sound Designer: Sam Santangelo
Properties Designer: Sarah Tychinski
Hair and Makeup Designer: Julie Finlan-Powell
Assistant Technical Director: Robert Hoover
Assistant Stage Manager: Erika Waldron
Poster Artists: Natalie Franke and Joe McNamara
Cast
Hannah Tewkley: Shelby Hostetler
Samuel Tewkley: Caleb Thompson
Martha Ryan: Jessye Smith
Sarah Worth: Jenna Joseph
Alfred Darby: Seth Hartwell
Photographs by edward j. powers
On Trial
by Máiréad Ní Ghráda
North American Premiere
April 2019
University of Pittsburgh Stages
Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre
Co-sponsored by the European Studies Center and
the Provost’s Year of PittGlobal
Production Team
Producer and Director: Nic Barilar
Stage Manager: Xiao Han
Production Manager: Derek Lamb
Technical Director: Sophia Kosowsky
Scenic Designer: Jess Fitzpatrick
Costume Designer: Mozart Armstrong
Lighting and Projection Designer: Thomas Bednarz
Sound Designer: Nick DePinto
Properties and Puppetry Design: Nini Duong
Dialect Coaches: Jen Tober and Nic Barilar
Choreographer: Kristin O’Malley
Assistant Stage Manager: Kaitlyn Smith
Poster Artist: Zev Woskoff
Cast
Maura Cassidy: Claire Carpenter
Mother, Lolly, Woman 3: Eleni Zahariadis
Mrs. Morris, Polly, Woman 1: Aliyah Moline-Freeman
Anna Brazil, Woman 2: Tamara Alchoufete
Molly, Mary: Katrina Dagenais
Kevin: Bradley Campbell
Colum, Priest, Johnny the Van: Zev Woskoff
Liam, Fireman: Elijah Conley
Sean, Manager, Reporter: Tyler Lentz
Nun, Landlady, Betty, Dolly, Waitress: Becca Hobard
I Can’t Go On/I’ll Go On:
Footfalls and Catastrophe
by Samuel Beckett
February 2017
University of Pittsburgh Stages
Studio THeatre
Production TEam
Director: Nic Barilar
Stage Manager: Polina Pomytkina
Lighting Designer: Jessie Lynn Smith
Costume Designer: Madalyn Lenahan
Sound Designer: Kristen West
Makeup Designer: Jahir Christian
Poster Artist: Zev Woskoff
Cast
Footfalls:
May: Reilly Galvin
Voice: Leenie Baker
Catastrophe:
Protagonist: Tyler Prah
Assistant: Leenie Baker
Director: Kevin McConville
Luke: Michael Calhoun
Photographs by Danielle Barilar and Amanda Jane Olmstead
