Education
"Creative Dramatics stimulates creativity and provides so many unique and ‘stretching' experiences. It truly helps develop the whole child and prepare them for life at a very important stage of their life. Many fifth graders are inhibited. They have lost their spontaneity and creativity. Not only does this program rekindle that spark, it teaches them how to sustain it."
- Gifted Education Instructor and Librarian, Perrysville Elementary School
Pittsburgh Public Theater invites you to be a part of our dynamic Public Education programs. Join us and experience the world of theater through performance, exploration and interaction.
Our initiatives reach more than 20,000 children, teens and adults each year — more than 13,500 of these are young people. The Public's education outreach efforts have won the praise of principals, teachers, students, parents, and community leaders. As just one example, the principal of North Allegheny Senior High School wrote,
"I am impressed with the range, organization and quality of the educational outreach opportunities available to students through Pittsburgh Public Theater ...The Public is an outstanding educational resource for students in our region."
Each year, similar words of encouragement are heard from the more than 200 schools that participate in educational programs at The Public. The Public staff and guest artists are committed to sharing their expertise and resources with the community. We offer a variety of programs — backstage tours, free and discounted tickets, guest speakers, volunteer opportunities, audience talkbacks, benefit performances, and technical and career counseling — that target a wide range of people with the goal of expanding, diversifying and educating our audience.
Pittsburgh Public Theater aims to achieve three major goals with its education and outreach programming:
- Provide innovative, effective and engaging arts education opportunities for children, teens and young adults;
- Bring young people, families and underserved populations from across the region to The Public, allowing them to experience as many artistic and educational programs as possible; and
- Instill in young people a greater understanding and appreciation of the dramatic arts, which in turn will help to build the arts audience of the future.
For more information on the Public's education programs, please call the Education Department at 412.316. 8200 ext. 715.
Pittsburgh Public Theater's education and outreach programs are generously supported by The BNY Mellon Charitable Foundation..JPG)
Now Introducing the 2008-2009 OPEN STAGE Student Matinee Series!
To view the PA Academic Standards fulfilled by the Open Stage Student Matinee Series, click here.
Radio Golf by August Wilson
October 8, 2008-11:00 a.m.
Set in 1990s Pittsburgh, Radio Golf tells the story of Harmond Wilks, a successful entrepreneur who is poised to become the city's first African-American mayor. His political campaign sets the stage for a dramatic tug of war between Wilk's secret ancestral past and his promising future. Be a part of this historical event as The Public completes August Wilson's monumental 10 play cycle!
Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman
January 21, 2009-12:00 p.m.
A swimming pool at center stage transforms the O'Reilly into a magnificent universe for Mary Zimmerman's adaptation of Ovid's classic tales. From King Midas to Aphrodite, from Orpheus to Narcissus, Zimmerman reveals how myths and legends from our past still enthrall us today. With its phenomenal setting and dynamic acting ensemble, Metamorphoses is a theatrical juggernaut not to be missed.
The World Goes ‘Round
conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman & David Thompson
March 11, 2009-11:30 a.m.
No one has written more showstoppers than John Kander and Fred Ebb. Together they have created some of Broadway and Hollywood's most memorable songs from hits like Cabaret, Chicago, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. The World Goes ‘Round is a song and dance revue celebrating the most exciting duo in show biz history.
A Moon For The Misbegotten by Eugene O'Neill
April 22, 2009-11:30 a.m.
A smash hit at London's Old Vic and in its recent Broadway revival, this all-new production of A Moon For The Misbegotten comes roaring into The Public with its shattering story of unrequited love and longing. Poetic and powerful, Eugene O'Neill's masterwork is one of America's greatest dramatic achievements.
For reservations, call Group Sales at 412.316.8200 ext. 704. For more information on the OPEN STAGE Series, click on the "For Teachers" section of our website or call the Education Department at 412.316.8200 ext. 715.