CMU School of Drama


Monday, January 23, 2017

Kelly Strayhorn Theater brings fresh approach to dance programming for 2017

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Janera Solomon looked out her front door and saw Uber’s self-driving cars picking up people coming from the nearby Ace Hotel Pittsburgh.

“It just seems, like, wow, we’re in a future that 30 years ago we only could have imagined,” said the Kelly Strayhorn Theater’s executive director.

The Ace and Uber are emblematic of the fast-paced growth of East Liberty, where Penn Avenue, for example, is being transformed into a virtual concrete canyon lined with Google buildings, businesses and apartments. In addition, Whole Foods has plans to expand into a new location on Penn several blocks from its current spot in the EastSide shopping mall.

That means changing demographics for KST audiences.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

As a dancer, it makes me happy that this theater is doing so much to try to bring dance back into the spotlight. It is worrisome that dance has become so much less popular or prevalent in recent times, though. I almost wonder if the Kelly Strayhorn Theater is misreading its lack of dance – is it a problem with the industry, or is it a problem with the theater itself? After all, it’s the theater’s own choice to not have formal dance performances on its schedule, but a theater is also largely focused on output and profit. Some of the KST programs, like the dance parties and the additional workshops and conversations, are great ideas that I believe more theaters should pick up. But, I would also like to know how successful those programs are and/or the real reason as to why dance is becoming less relevant. The Moves Contemporary Dance Festival changes also stand out to me – what was the festival before? And, why are they choosing to change this festival, of all things? Regardless, dance is a great way to exercise, bring people together, and release stress, and is definitely something that needs to be more widespread and accessible in our world.