Donna Belajac Casting

Donna Belajac Casting is the leading and most established casting company in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania market, run by veteran casting director Donna Belajac, who has been the cornerstone of the western Pennsylvania casting community for decades. The company provides both background and principal casting services for film and television productions shooting in the Pittsburgh region, making it a unique resource that handles the full spectrum of casting needs rather than focusing exclusively on background work. Donna Belajac has personally cast numerous major productions that have filmed in western Pennsylvania, including high-profile Hollywood features that chose Pittsburgh for its distinctive urban landscape, industrial character, and the generous Pennsylvania film tax credit program. The company's longevity and dominance in the Pittsburgh market mean that virtually every production shooting in the region works with Donna Belajac Casting at some point during its production. Her deep knowledge of the local talent pool and her relationships with production companies that regularly choose Pittsburgh make her casting company an indispensable resource for actors in the region.

What makes Donna Belajac Casting particularly valuable compared to background-only casting companies is its dual function as both a background and principal casting resource, giving registered actors the potential to be considered for speaking roles and featured parts in addition to standard background work. This distinction is significant because in smaller regional markets like Pittsburgh, the same casting director often handles both background and principal casting for a production, meaning your background registration can genuinely lead to opportunities for more substantial roles as productions discover your abilities. The company has become the de facto casting gatekeeper for the Pittsburgh market, and productions shooting in the area routinely turn to Donna Belajac Casting as their first and often only local casting resource. For actors based in western Pennsylvania, this company represents their primary connection to the professional entertainment industry and the most direct path to on-set work in their home market. The company's website and social media channels serve as the hub for casting information in the Pittsburgh area.

Actors register with Donna Belajac Casting through the company's website by submitting photos and resumes for consideration, providing the standard information needed for both background and principal casting consideration including physical measurements, contact details, and relevant experience or training. The company posts casting calls for both background and speaking roles in local productions through email and social media, and registered actors are encouraged to submit for any roles they are qualified for. Unlike the social media-heavy approach of many background-only companies, Donna Belajac Casting also accepts traditional headshot and resume submissions, reflecting its dual role in principal casting. Communication typically happens via email and through the company's social media channels, with timely responses expected from actors when opportunities arise. The registration process is open to actors at all levels, from complete beginners to experienced performers with extensive credits.

The casting and work experience through Donna Belajac Casting reflects the character of Pittsburgh's regional production market, which is smaller than major hubs but offers a unique combination of quality productions and manageable competition. Productions that film in Pittsburgh range from major studio features attracted by the city's distinctive architecture and neighborhoods to television shows, streaming content, and commercial productions that leverage the Pennsylvania film tax credit. The company handles both SAG-AFTRA and non-union talent, and the relatively smaller talent pool in the Pittsburgh market means that dedicated, reliable actors can develop strong working relationships with the casting team and be considered for a wider range of roles than they might in more crowded markets. Background work in Pittsburgh follows standard industry protocols with typical 8 to 12 hour work days, and the city's manageable size means that commute times to set locations are generally shorter and more predictable than in sprawling markets like Los Angeles or Atlanta.

Donna Belajac Casting's talent pool reflects the western Pennsylvania acting community, ranging from trained theater actors with extensive stage credits to newcomers who are discovering the entertainment industry through the productions that come to town. Both SAG-AFTRA members and non-union performers are registered and booked, though the non-union pool is proportionally larger in a regional market like Pittsburgh. The company particularly values actors who bring both enthusiasm and professionalism to their work, as the smaller market means that reputations are built quickly and everyone in the local industry knows everyone else. Actors with theater training from Pittsburgh's excellent performing arts programs, including Carnegie Mellon University and Point Park University, frequently register with the company to supplement their stage work with film and television opportunities. The diversity of the registered talent pool has expanded over the years as Pittsburgh's production industry has grown and attracted a wider range of performers.

Donna Belajac Casting is entirely free for actors — there are no registration fees, submission charges, or hidden costs at any point in the process. The company earns its revenue from production companies, not from talent. Background actors are paid by the production at standard rates, with SAG-AFTRA members earning approximately $208 minimum per 8-hour day and non-union performers typically earning between $100 and $150 per day as of 2025 in the Pittsburgh market. For principal roles, compensation varies significantly based on the role, the production budget, and applicable union agreements, but these opportunities represent a meaningful upgrade in pay compared to background rates. The Pennsylvania film tax credit program, which offers a 25 to 30 percent credit on qualified production spending, is the primary driver of production activity in the state and directly impacts the volume of work available through the company.

If you are based in the Pittsburgh or western Pennsylvania area, Donna Belajac Casting is not just recommended — it is essentially your only significant option for professional casting services, making registration an absolute necessity for any actor in the region. The company's ability to consider you for both background and principal roles makes it particularly valuable in a market where casting resources are limited. If you are a trained actor from one of Pittsburgh's excellent theater programs, registering with Donna Belajac Casting connects your training to professional film and television opportunities. If you are seeking the volume and consistency of work available in major production hubs, consider supplementing your Pittsburgh registration with travel to nearby markets like Atlanta or building relationships with casting companies in adjacent regional markets. The registration is free and the potential upside is significant.

Make your Donna Belajac Casting registration as thorough and professional as possible, since this is likely your primary connection to the entertainment industry in the Pittsburgh area. Include a professional headshot along with your casual photos, as the company handles principal casting and may consider you for speaking roles. Follow the company's social media pages closely, as production announcements and casting calls are the pulse of Pittsburgh's entertainment industry. When a major production comes to Pittsburgh, be ready to submit immediately and make yourself available, as these opportunities may not come frequently and each one is valuable for building your resume and on-set experience. Consider investing in acting training if you have not already, as the combination of a Donna Belajac Casting registration with genuine skill and training positions you for the best opportunities the Pittsburgh market has to offer.