Kathryn Gigler

Acting Executive Director

Kathryn L. Gigler has over a decade of experience as an institutional advocate and educator and a career-long commitment to equity and inclusivity. Following completion of her undergraduate degree at Wake Forest University, she obtained her doctorate in psychology, focusing on cognitive neuroscience, from Northwestern University. Dr. Gigler served as executive director of the Women’s Center at Elizabeth City State University and was integral in the formation of the first LGBTQ+ community organization in the region. She has worked with organizations in multiple states around violence prevention and response, including Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, Albemarle Hopeline in Elizabeth City, NC, and the YWCA of Greater Chicago. She has also dedicated her time to arts and cultural organizations throughout the Pittsburgh region, including Attack Theatre and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Prior to stepping into the role of acting executive director, Dr. Gigler served as PBT’s Director of Education and Community Engagement. Key accomplishments at PBT include her leadership of the Equity Project Transformation Team, which engages with leaders and staff across the organization in developing comprehensive IDEA strategies. In addition, Kathryn Gigler has also played a central role in leading the engagement team’s pivot to digital programming during the pandemic. Her projects include the highly successful “Dance the Story at Home!” program and creation of a suite of over 35 engagement opportunities around PBT’s award-winning Fireside Nutcracker.

Lauren Carlini

Director of Human Resources

Lauren Carlini (she/her) is a Pittsburgh native with a background in business operations and people management. Lauren is a Duquesne University graduate. Prior to joining the PBT team, Lauren worked for her family’s business. She enjoys volunteering her time in her neighborhood, at her son’s school and as a board member of the Valley Points YMCA. In addition to overseeing the human resources functions at PBT, Lauren leads the team engagement committee and the Equity Project Transformation Team Subcommittee on Recruitment and Hiring, and is a member of the safety committee. Her favorite thing about working at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is working alongside the most talented people in Pittsburgh. She says, “Everyone– the admin team, the faculty, the dancers, of course– is so impressive. We have an excellent team and I am so grateful to be a part of it.”

Lou Castelli

Director of Marketing

Lou Castelli comes to Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre with extensive experience in performing arts administration in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. He spent ten years in various roles on the marketing team of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, where he managed the campaign launching Marvin Hamlisch as the orchestra’s Principal Pops Conductor. He then became Marketing Director at Pittsburgh Public Theater, where he oversaw the company’s move to the O’Reilly Theater. He spent more than 20 years at The Public, and most recently served as the theater’s Managing Director from 2018 through 2022. Lou was born and raised in Pittsburgh and has a large extended family. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in Oakland and Allegheny College in Meadville, with a degree in Communication Arts.