Education

ANNOUNCING THE 2011-2012 OPEN STAGE STUDENT MATINEE SERIES

Electra

By Sophocles. Adapted by Frank McGuinness. Directed by Ted Pappas
New stagings of ancient Greek plays are a signature of The Public's leader, Ted Pappas. After acclaimed productions of Medea and Oediupus the King, he will now thrill audiences with a gripping Electra, the story of a family torn apart by adultery, assassination, and revenge. The tragic tale of the deceitful Clytemnestra and her fanatical children, Electra and Orestes, will be told in a crystal-clear adaptation packed with action and suspense.
Open Stage performances: October 5 and 12, 2011 at 12:00 PM

Red

By John Logan. Directed by Pamela Berlin
First produced by London's Donmar Warehouse, Red then jumped to Broadway and won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play. The setting is the studio of temperamental Abstract Expressionist Mark Rothko, who in 1958 accepted a commission to create paintings for The Four Seasons restaurant in New York. As he works with his young assistant, this rare commercial project leads to intense discussions about the purpose of art. Red author John Logan is the acclaimed screenwriter of Gladiator and The Aviator, among others.
Open Stage performance: November 16, 2011 at 12:00 PM

As You Like It

By William Shakespeare. Directed by Ted Pappas
Smart, feisty, and funny, the role of Rosalind is one of The Bard's greatest inventions. At the palace, Rosalind and Orlando fall for each other at first sight, but their courtship is cut short when she is banished by the Duke. Disguised as a boy, Rosalind flees into the Forest of Arden, only to meet Orlando once again. What ensues for Rosalind and her companions is described as "the triumph of Shakespearian romantic comedy." As You Like It is sure to create the same sense of enchantment and delight as The Public's recent A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Open Stage performances: January 25 and February 1, 2012 at 11:00 AM

Freud's Last Session

By Mark St. Germain. Directed by Mary Robinson
Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud pioneered the Id, the Ego, and the Superego. Writer C.S. Lewis created The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Two men, both brilliant, yet vastly different: Freud the atheist, Lewis the believer. In this new play, which has been drawing record-breaking crowds in New York, they meet in 1939 as England goes to war against the Nazis. Their evening of electrifying conversation about God, love, sex, and the meaning of life will spark controversy long after the show is over.
Open Stage performance: March 7, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Around the World in 80 Days

By Mark Brown. Based on the novel by Jules Verne. Directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge
The year is 1872 and Phileas Fogg has accepted a bet to travel around the globe in record time in this classic novel brought to theatrical life. With his eccentric French manservant, the unflappable Fogg encounters a monsoon at sea, boards a runaway train, and rescues an Indian princess, among other daring adventures. Five actors play dozens of outrageous characters in this mini-epic frothing with madcap excitement. Around the World in 80 Days promises to be dazzling fun for everyone.
Open Stage performances: April 18 and 25, 2012 at 11:00 AM

For reservations, call Becky in 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.

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

Additional funding by