Donna Belajac Casting

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

03/21/2023

Do you know the most important aspect of acting with a dialect? Is that YOU GET IT RIGHT! Whether it's a New York or a Boston accent, so many times actors get it wrong. Watch the clip below for an interview with Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Casey Affleck on the importance of nailing the dialect.


Join Donna Belajac Actors Studio in April when we host ACTING WITH ACCENTS with Don Wadsworth, Professor of Speech and Dialects at Carnegie Mellon University Drama. In this class, actors will learn how to prepare accents for auditions and rehearsal learning a phonetic system and by developing ear training for various sounds.

The Finest Hours stars Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Casey Affleck and Holliday Grainger comment on the difficulty of pulling off a good Boston accent.Still ha...

03/18/2023

Do you know the most important aspect of acting with a dialect? Is that YOU GET IT RIGHT! Whether it's a New York or a Boston accent, so many times actors get it wrong. Watch the clip below for an interview with Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Casey Affeck on the importance of nailing the dialect.

Join Donna Belajac Actors Studio in April when we host ACTING WITH ACCENTS with Don Wadsworth, Professor of Speach and Dialects at Carnegie Mellon University Drama. In this class, actors will learn how to prepare accents for auditions and rehearsal by learning a phonetic system and by developing ear training for various sounds. For more information, please visit our website.

The Finest Hours stars Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Casey Affleck and Holliday Grainger comment on the difficulty of pulling off a good Boston accent.Still ha...

03/08/2023

ACTING with ACCENTS- Dialect class with Don Wadsworth

Do you have an accent or two you could use if a director put you on the spot in a callback? Skilled actors are more likely to book jobs so if your dialects are a bit rusty or you want to learn, this class is for you! Don Wadsworth is a Professor of Speech and Dialects at Carnegie Mellon University Drama and has coached dialects on more than a hundred plays, twenty film and television productions. The class will focus on American dialects: Southern, Mountain and New York (Brooklyn and New Jersey). Classes covering other dialects are in the works.

Donna Belajac Actors Studio will host Don's class on four consecutive Mondays, April 10 through May 1, 2023, from 7:00 -9:00 p.m. $259 For more information or to register, www.donnabelajaccasting.com