Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Musical Theater has resided in the West End as a renter for 12 years, but now it's putting down roots as a property owner with a commitment to become a vital member of that community.
The school will continue its primary focus of education and performance for hundreds of students, ages 4 to 18, annually, and there are the big productions PMT is known for that mix pros and students at the Byham Theater, Downtown. But as the organization approaches its 25th year in 2015, founder and artistic director Ken Gargaro was looking for a way to be sustainable for 25 more. To that end, PMT is within weeks of becoming the owner of the 29,000-square-foot James Centre at 327 S. Main St.
5 comments:
It's really cool that they get their own space. It can be a real hassle trying to get performance and rehearsal space. My community theatre rotates around to local high schools occasionally for rehearsals and then performs at one. They only let us in an hour before show time and then kick us out promptly after the show ends. The camps that use the same space sometimes go through our things that are locked in the dressing rooms and destroy our costumes/props. I'm glad that PMT is getting space for their school. It'll be a great improvement for them, and the investment will really pay off in the end when they don't have to fight for space.
Perhaps the most interesting part of this article for me was in the last segment when they began to talk about the neighborhood that they are becoming a part of. Beyond a big step for PMT, there is additional opportunity in the neighborhood they are joining. Not only has their internal mission expanded, but the have started to introduce a new idea to a larger neighborhood, and it will be intriguing to see the neighborhood’s reception. If the move is successful and they are well received, they will be forging the way for other theatre companies to make a similar move. Should it be less enthusiastically accepted, or if for financial reasons they grow too big too quickly, I question if similar companies will be as eager to make such a move. It will be an interesting case study on the relationship between a theatre and a community. But Bravo for the Expansion!
I think this is extremely exciting everywhere I look I see the pittsburgh theatre scene expanding and I actually feel almost overwhelmed by the amount of theatre pittsburgh, and I love it! I feel as if I couldn’t go see every show in a weekend because there are just too many. Back in Detroit I often could not find theatre in my area it was as if the only theatre was the huge fisher theatre and high school theatre which would every show would open at within the same two weeks. so when I read articles about how pittsburgh is expanding I want to go home and start implementing their ideas.I have always wanted to start being theatre back into the communities more instead of leaving it concentrated in New York and other cities. I feel as if I were to study how Pittsburgh theatre has begun to grow I can use these strategies to do the same in in other communities.
It so great to hear that the theater is expanding and getting the opportunity to make such a big step. It is a big step for a theater to have it own working location instead of having to move around to different places. It is nice to get to be in an area that has a good rising scene in theater and is keeping up with the times. This kind of movement is a big step for theaters and should reap good rewards. This will be beneficial to them in expanding what they can do as a theater. Im very excited and hope that this is a huge success for them.
I think this is absolutely great news. As Olivia said, it can be extremely tough for a theatre to not have a "home," of sorts. That can be difficult in a number of ways, such as: moving scenery, lighting, sound, props, costumes, figuring out rehearsal space, and using the facilities. It can be a great thing to have your own space for all of these reasons, and more. A permanent theatre and place of work really allows you to connect more with your space and allows your work to develop to a whole different level.
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