THD Faculty and Alumni Work on "Cabrini" Movie Filmed in Buffalo

Theatre skills translate to the film industry

Published March 14, 2024

Angel Studios’ Cabrini makes its big-screen debut nationwide. The biographical drama is now showing in area theaters, and expanded locally and nationally on March 8, International Women’s Day. Per a recent article in the Buffalo News, approximately 600 local extras and 300 local crew members, including many THD faculty and alumni, were utilized for the filming. After Buffalo, the movie filmed for about five days in Rome in the fall of 2021.

Actress in nun's headdress smiles while reading a letter.

Cristiana Dell’Anna stars as Mother Francesca Cabrini in the Buffalo-made film “Cabrini.” (Angel Studios)

photo of middle aged white woman with long brown hair adjusting stage lights.

Associate Department Chair Lynne Koscielniak

Faculty contributors to Cabrini include:
Associate Chair Lynne Koscielniak – additional Assistant Art Director
Clinical Assistant Professor Erich Frank – Foreman Carpenter

Design/Tech alumni include:
Madison Sullivan – Construction Production Assistant
Matvey Kitchen – Rigging Electrician
Jessice Wegrzyn – Set Costumer
I.M. Fortunato – Second Unit Assistant Properties Manager

Show poster. A nun stands with luggage on a crowded city street.

“Cabrini, the Buffalo-made movie about the life of Mother Francesca Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint in the Catholic Church, has finally arrived on the big screen.

Currently showing or scheduled to show Cabrini are the AMC Market Arcade 8 and Maple Ridge 8, Aurora Theatre in East Aurora, Dipson Theatre locations (Amherst Theatre, Flix, McKinley 6 and Capitol Theatre in Niagara Falls), North Park Theatre, and Regal Elmwood, Quaker Crossing, Transit and Walden Galleria. Tickets are on sale now via theater websites and Fandango.

middle aged white man with long grey hair and moustache playing a saxophone.

Clinical Assistant Professor Erich Frank

Cabrini stars Italian actress Cristiana Dell’Anna as Francesca Cabrini, a poor Italian immigrant and nun who made it her life’s mission to help other immigrants. She was canonized in 1946. The international cast also includes John Lithgow, Montserrat Espadalé, David Morse and Giancarlo Giannini. Director Alejandro Monteverde’s previous film was the independent hit “Sound of Freedom,” which he also made with Angel Studios.”