Donna Belajac Casting

09/15/2026

Hello Actors!

Women in Film and Media (WIFM), will be holding their Actor Showcase at Point Park University on October 10, 2026! They have opened Registration for WIFM members and Students. Non-members/Non-Students will be able to register on September 21st.

Pittsburgh has been very busy over the last several years, with both film and television projects coming to the region. This is a great opportunity to get in front of local industry folks who bring talent to these productions! Donna Belajac Casting will be there, as well as Mosser Casting, Docherty, and Talent Group. Actors will be paired with a scene partner, given time to rehearse, and then will perform their scene for the panel. Feedback will be provided after. Anyone auditioning will need to bring several copies of their headshot and résumé (so they can be shared with those sitting on the panel). Details can be found at the link below:

https://www.wifmpit.org/event-details/actors-showcase

As previously mentioned, registration is currently open for WIFM members ($30/ticket) and students ($25/ticket). Others can register on September 21st ($50/ticket)! Also, each scheduled actor will need to arrive on-time, as time slots will be tightly scheduled. Late attendees may not get seen and per WIFM, refunds will not be provided.

We hope to see you there!

03/07/2026

STUDENT FILM LOOKING FOR IT'S LEAD:

Hello everyone! Gustavo Rosa (https://www.grosafilm.com/), an independent producer and professor of film at Penn State University, is currently producing a student film that is looking to cast it's LEAD. The film will shoot in Pittsburgh this March and is being direct by Jersee Melvin.

This is a GREAT opportunity to put your skills to work and to get lots of quality footage for your reel. We are happy to share this information with anyone looking to get more experience, to expand their talents, or to simply give back to upcoming filmmakers. Gustavo has had four feature films screen at major festivals including Tribeca, DOC NYC, and the Austin Film Festival, so his support of Jersee's short film is telling. Details on the role below:

FILM: The Dog Doesn't Know
SYNOPSIS: A hardworking steel mill employee struggles to process the sudden loss of his brother.

JAY (Lead, Male, White, 40s)
Stoic, quiet, deeply emotional beneath the surface. A devoted father and husband who holds everything in until it cracks. Actor must convey grief, restraint, and subtle internal turmoil.

SHOOT DATES: March 21, 22, 28, 29, & April 4 (filming in the Beaver area of Pittsburgh)

COMPENSATION: There is a small budget with a nominal fee designated for this role. Please inquire with Jersee.

CONTACT: Actors who are interested in reading the script/auditioning for the role of JAY, should send their photo/resume to Jersee directly, with the subject line "DOG DOESN'T KNOW - ROLE OF JAY" - you can email her at: [email protected]

:)

03/17/2025

Congratulations to three former Donna Belajac Actors Studio students, Logan Shiller, Felicia Reuter and Josh Brelsford for their original play KILN.

From Edinburgh to Pittsburgh, "Crumb to a Bird Ensemble" announces the U.S. debut of their immersive, site-specific play, KILN at the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival this March. Premiering this past summer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, KILN dives deep into our relationships with siblings, mourning modern art, and being haunted by your fathers ghost. To find a performance at Pittsburgh Glass Center:

https://pittsburghfringe.org/events/kiln/

02/20/2025

Great deal from Thürner Photography!

02/17/2025

The Pennsylvania Film Tax Incentive has helped bring Hollywood to the 'Burgh, and if we want to see more productions come to 'tahn, then we need to make our voices heard!

Senator Camera Bartolotta has introduced Senate Bill 137, which asks for an increase to the state's $100 million dollar tax incentive. Senator Bartolotta's bill suggests raising us from $100 million to $125 million. This is a great, small step, towards expanding the film industry across the state.

Co-Sponsoring this bill are Senators Jay Costa, Patrick Stefano, Wayne Fontana, Sharif Street, Judith Schwank, Steven Santarsiero, Vincent Hughes, Frank Farry and Finance Committee Minority Chair Nick Pisciottano.

We need more support for this bill! We need to let our state senators know that these productions benefit everyone!

This tax incentive has helped bring productions to PA that have injected over $3 billion into the state's economy. Productions that have generated an estimated $5.2 billion in economic activity and over $700 million in total state and local taxes! From the western side of PA to the eastern half of the state, the Film Tax Incentive supports over 30,000 full-time jobs.

To find the senators in your district (and those outside of your district) you can use this link: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/mbrList.cfm?body=S&sort=district

Let's ask them to support our work, by backing Senate Bill 137!

If you need help knowing what to say, here is Senator Bartolotta's memo outlining the bill: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=43436

Also, check out PAFIA's site, which beautifully breaks it all down for you: https://www.pafia.org/PA-FILM-INDUSTRY-INCENTIVE

01/27/2025

Spring Acting Classes begin next week!

If you've ever thought about acting NOW is the time to register for classes. Our core curriculum classes begin Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Beginner I class starts Wednesday February 5 from 6:30-8:30 pm. This class is the perfect place to start learning the craft. No prior experience needed. For the full line up including youth classes visit

Donna Belajac CastingDonna Belajac Casting has been earning praise from producers on both coasts for decades. From start to finish we understand that our job is to make your job easier. It’s not about just finding the best talent; it’s about finding the right talent. And no one knows regional ta...

10/14/2024

What are you sick of? We want to know!

We are looking for REAL people who are interested in being interviewed for a new documentary that aims to explore our shared sense of discontent and how it unites us.

NO EXPERIENCE in ACTING or PERFORMING IS REQUIRED!

MUST BE 18+
MUST LIVE IN PITTSBURGH, PA (or surrounding areas) or parts of WV (MORGANTOWN, WHEELING), or CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

Check out this flyer for more info! If you are interested, please email us at: [email protected]

09/08/2024

Join Donna Belajac Actors Studio for our fall semester. Spaces are still available for Beginner I and Beginner II. Our Intermediate and Advanced classes require an audition. Adult classes begin on September 24.

Act On Impulse is the perfect class for teens who want to explore their creative powers as an artist! This class also requires an audition. To request an audition, please email us at [email protected] Class starts on September 21.

For more information visit

Donna Belajac CastingDonna Belajac Casting has been earning praise from producers on both coasts for decades. From start to finish we understand that our job is to make your job easier. It’s not about just finding the best talent; it’s about finding the right talent. And no one knows regional ta...

04/14/2023

Some of the light went out of my life, and the world, with the passing of Deb Docherty.

I admired Deb so much for her beauty, talent, brains, big heart, effervescence, capacity for friendship, generosity, loyalty, creativity, infectious laugh - and those dimples! I was in awe of her from the moment we met in the early 80's. She was great at everything she did. Model, stylist, AD, entrepreneur, mother, wife, friend, mentor.

There was no one more fun to be with than Deb. I'll miss the things we did together, year after year: Light Up Night, St. Parick's Day parade parties, Steelers and Pirates games, Lobster Fest at my house, Halloween parties at hers, slurping oysters, grabbing martinis after work, brainstorming about the perfect actor for a role.

She had a way of lifting the spirits of anyone around her and was always thinking of others. Just one of many examples: When my husband died before the holidays, Deb rounded up a bunch of her clients to hang my Christmas lights because she knew I wouldn't be up to it. She also kept me company on many lonely nights, which meant the world to me.

I know the pain of losing a partner, and while it's admittedly different, Deb and I were partners in establishing and growing the talent industry here in Pittsburgh over the past 40 years. The pain is remarkably similar.

Deb's final gift and act of generosity to me was allowing me to say goodbye to her last week, giving me the opportunity to tell her how much she meant to me and to express my gratitude for all she brought to my life. I didn't have that with the passing of my husband or dad, so I'm eternally grateful to her and her wonderful family for the enormous privilege. After some tears and reminiscing, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she told me she'd visit. I have no doubt she will!
Donna Belajac

04/10/2023

https://gofund.me/f51b4e82

Tracey D. Turner, actress, director, producer, artist, educator, chili and black eye … Christiane Dolores needs your support for Our Beloved Tracey D. Turner