Current Cast

Current Cast of The Weakness

Lauren Zito
(Zahn, Justine)

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 'Monsieur Guillot' in their production of Eugene Onegin. His other favorite roles have been in I Pagliacci and The Italian Girl of Algiers. 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.

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.

Elizabeth Pursh
(Sister Elizabeth)

Liz is a Pittsburgh native and has been acting since 1997. She attended the University of Pittsburgh and has a B.A. in Theatre Arts. Her film credits include the independence films Creep, The Deader The Better, and the zombie flam 12/24? .

Under the pseudonym 'Damsel Reed', she is a promotional model for the comic book Cosmic Hellcats. Being a jack of all trades and a master of none, Liz also has a background in stage combat, tae kwon do, costume design, and special effects make-up.

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.

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!

Chuck Alexander
(Eckmann)

Chuck is a true mixed puppy! He was born in Capone's Chicago's South Side territory and lived there until the ripe old age of twelve. He then moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has remained there ever since.

He has had several movie parts from a zombie in George Romero's Dawn of the Dead to Joe Shelby's Green Man, with a couple of stage gigs and several extra parts thrown in for good measure. Chuck is excited to be a part of The Weakness and welcomes all!

James Zito
(The Torturer)

James usually is behind the camera, but loved the brief cameo stint as the Torturer! James is married to Weakness creator Lauren and they work together to create the plethora of things that goes into Francis Rocks! Productions.

He spent the last 30 years working in construction before meeting Lauren. It was then that he realized he could be doing so much more. He is currently enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in the Digital Media Productions Department. James is also the lecturer that helps brings all the Francis Rocks! dreams into reality.

His newest stint (and one he is most proud of...) is being a wonderful grandfather to his new granddaughter Isabella!

Heather Shelley
(Homeless Woman Tina)

Heather holds a BA in Art History from Carlow University and has an extensive background in administrative assistance and customer service. She is currently working in marketing and communications and trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up (people in their mid-30's can do that.)

This is her first foray into acting since playing a snarky youngster in a high school play in the early 90's. Type caste as a grumpy one, or the snide one, or the brainy geeky one, or the crazy one, she's perfectly content with doing things that come naturally to her. She is married to fellow cast & crew member Troy Shelly, and her spare time she enjoys reading, singing karaoke, and knitting (with bamboo craft needles, in case of vampire attack.) Always be prepared. Recently the thing that has taken up most of her life has been being pregnant - but now she is very excited to take on the new venture of being a Mom! Welcome Dante!

Heather also was way too enthusiastic about a chicken when yelling "Francis Rocks!" - thus...our cult was born!

Ed DeArmitt
(The Drug Dealer)

Ed is an over enthusiastic student at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh where he studies Digital Media Production. He came into The Weakness family accidentally while doing a school project. He was doing work behind the camera and just got thrown in front of the camera because someone needed an extra actor. Upon seeing this, he got the part of 'The Drug Dealer'.

As a past wrestle, Ed also gives his into his part. He was the first actor on the project who actually shed his own blood in a stunt and kept going to finish the scene.

He is excited to be working on The Weakness.

Troy Shelley
(Homeless Man / Thug)

Troy has a varied background; ranging from practicing Eagle Claw Chin Na to learning conversational elementary Japanese. He hails from the wasteland of South eastern Pennsylvania- York...where he spent most of his time pursuing artistic ventures, acting, dancing, performing in female impersonation shows in Philly, and getting into a lot of trouble.

He performed in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, in the cast of Trixie's Kidz, as Rocky Horror. After 80+ performances, he moved away from York to the great city of Pittsburgh. He is currently working a day job while training to become a Medical Information Specialist. He is pursuing a career in Medical Pathology or Criminal Forensics. Troy is married to the illustrious Heather Shelley, and in his small amount of spare time he plays Guitar Hero, sings loudly and proudly, reads books on gross anatomy, invents, and marvels over the beauty of this planet. His newest fascination is being a new father! Welcome Dante!

DeAndre Jones
(Thug)

DeAndre is an aspiring business guru and all around entrepreneur. He has done many different business ventures, but is looking for his...how shall we put it...his niche.

He is always expanding his work experience hoping to land the career of his dreams. He has been bitten by the acting bug so to speak!

He is excited to be working on The Weakness.