Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA) is comprised of professional, working artists dedicated to a conservatory approach to training.  We believe that the path that leads from student to professional, from apprentice to artist, is a journey of education, example, discipline and experience.  COPA is committed to the development of the craft, the engagement of the imagination and the cultivation of skills that enable students to become protagonists of their lives.

One such outlet that serves as a launching pad for our students into the professional world is the Showcase.  Now in its sixth year, the Showcase has become an important and highly effective component that compliments the students’ overall training.

The selection of the Showcase cast is very competitive.  Unlike smaller schools, Point Park is unable to take the entire senior class.  A panel of distinguished faculty and local industry professionals select the students, who then take Showcase classes twice a week at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, the performing arts center of Point Park University, to prepare.

The Showcase was founded by Jack Allison and John Shepard (Showcase Producer and Chair of Musical Theatre Department).  This year's Showcase is being directed by Zeva Barzell and Shirley Tannenbaum.

Below is a select list of alumni currently working in the industry.

On Broadway

ALTAR BOYZ
Neil Haskell

MARY POPPINS      
Pam Bradley

CHICAGO    
Nili Bassman             
Melissa Rae Mahon

HAIR
Anthony Hollock

MAMMA MIA!         
Lanene Charters

PAL JOEY
Nadine Isenegger

SHREK
Marty Lawson

WEST SIDE STORY
Mike Cannon
Eric Hatch

London

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Rob Ashford, Director

Television

Jim Martin – Emmy Award-Winning Director for Sesame Street

Greg Funk – Three time Emmy-winner for Babylon 5 and two time Emmy-winner for X Files

Melina Kanakaredes – CSI New York and NBC’s Providence

Paul Dimeo – ABC’s Extreme Makeover, Home Edition

Joshua Reese – Principal role in Spike TV mini-series, The Kill Point

Mark Swanhart – Choreographer for Office Max TV commercial, Choreographer for Celine Dion’s world tour, Movement Coordinator of Baz Luhrmann’s Broadway production of La Boheme

Chris Quiban – Winner of the American Choreography Award for the Wayne Brady TV Show

John Magaro – Law & Order, commercials for Coca-Cola, Wendy’s and Cingular 

Film

John Magaro – Assassination of a High School President with Mischa Barton, Reece Daniel Thompson, Bruce Willis and Michael Rapaport, The Brave One with Jodie Foster

Billy Hartung – Performed in the film Chicago, and starred as Chuck Cranston in the Broadway production of Footloose

Damien Luvara – Featured in the Disney movie Holes with Sigourney Weaver