Summertime at Pittsburgh Public Theater
Written by Elisabeth Kay
With four sold out shows coming up at the end of June, Pittsburgh Public Theater continues to do their share of keeping the theater community vibrantly thriving in downtown Pittsburgh. The cast and crew of Twelfth Night, a musical adaptation of a Shakespearean romantic comedy, have been working diligently to make this show the best they can. It sold out fast, with no tickets left for purchase on the website– a true testament to the talent that runs through PPT. But no worries if you didn’t snag tickets for Twelfth Night but want to be a part of the theater scene that courses through downtown; July at Pittsburgh Public Theater has you covered.
-Image courtesy of Pittsburgh Public Theatre-
There’s no age limit on acting. In July, children ages 9-12 can get involved in the theater through two different camps, $250 each. The first is Imagination in Action: A Creative Acting Adventure which is held from July 21st-25th, from 9 AM-4 PM each day of the week. This specific workshop will help children feel more confident in their acting abilities and their improvisation through fun games and activities led by PPT members and volunteers.
If you know a child who’s more of a writer, they may be interested in Worlds Unwritten: A Camp for Character Development and Story Building. This program runs from July 28th-August 1st, with the same days of the week and hours as the aforementioned. This camp allows for group brainstorming and creation of worlds beyond ours, boosting children’s imagination. Both of these camps hold a showcase on the concluding Friday from 4-5 PM, which all friends and family are welcome to attend.
-Image courtesy of Pittsburgh Public Theatre-
Teenage years are a time to figure out what your future holds and a time to start preparing for it. Mid-July has two workshops for teens ages 13-16 ready to take the stage. The first is from July 7-11, 9 AM-4 PM. This workshop, called Center Stage: The Actors Workshop focuses on acting as a whole. Through things like games, ensemble work, and more, confidence will grow and emanate when taking the stage, whether you’re new to acting or have years of experience under your belt!
The week after, from July 14-18, from 9 AM-4 PM, a group of teens will leave themselves at the door for Beyond the Script: Character Development. This camp is focused on becoming a character in more ways than reading your lines from a script, and really getting to know your character through multiple different acting exercises and improvisations. But don’t worry, no one gets to miss out on the fun! An end of week camp party and showcase is held on each Friday for friends and family.
-Image courtesy of Pittsburgh Public Theatre-
Want in on the fun? Don’t fret, two adult classes are being held in July as well– and the best part is they’re on the weekends! Don’t stress about work holding you back from your creativity, and stop by PPT in July to be part of the magic. The first workshop, called Acting 101, takes place on July 19th and 20th from 9 AM-12 PM– the perfect amount of time to enjoy the rest of your weekend!
This workshop is for actors new and old, experienced or new to the scene– learn what it takes to be an actor and the fun that comes along with it! If you already have some experience under your belt and you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway to an unexplored world, or just to refine your skills a little bit more, the Scene Study workshop is for you! This takes place July 26-27 from 9 AM-12 PM, and is a wonderful opportunity for any passionate adult to act their heart out. Each of these summer workshops is $80 for a boatload of fun and experience!
Pittsburgh Public Theater continues to thrive as they put on immersive shows and workshops for all age groups and experience levels. Their passion in their craft is palpable– keep an eye out for future shows from them and more on their calendar.
