The play’s the thing in Pittsburgh. This city is home to a plethora of theater companies that showcase incredible local talent in both traditional and nontraditional venues.
Quantum Theatre
Started in 1990 by Karla Boos, Quantum Theatre aims to bring international theater influences to Pittsburgh. “We’re explorers; Quantum is a bit like a laboratory,” said Boos.
Quantum Theatre brings plays both old and new to life. They want to expose Pittsburghers to shows they may have never seen before. “I’m always looking for what strikes me as new theatrical language, and I might find it in an old play, because we see something different in it, or because I haven’t explored that particular language. Or I’ve been moved and want others to experience, not exactly what I have, but their own version of that powerful emotion the play drew from me,” said Boos.
Quantum Theatre is one of the few theaters that isn’t performed in a traditional space. Boos picks her locations based on the nature of the play. “The site-specific nature, always choosing a site that will enfold the audience in a real space to experience the show in a specific way is quite different,” she said. Quantum Theatre’s most recent play, A Moon for the Misbegotten by Eugene O’Neill, was performed outside at Longue Vue Club overlooking the Allegheny River. Their next play, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari: An Out of the Box Theatrical Experience, will be performed at the Union Trust building in Downtown Pittsburgh November 1st-November 24th.
Running a theater company isn’t without its challenges, especially for a theater as unique as Quantum. Boos noted there are bigger challenges, but the day-to-day can be difficult too.
“Making a community of colleagues gel; compelling the audience through marketing—getting them there; finding the support needed beyond ticket sales; carving out the sacred space and time for artists to work, including me” are all difficulties Quantum faces, according to Boos.
Boos believes it is all worth it, though, to bring diverse, live entertainment to Pittsburgh. When asked how patrons can support Quantum, she said, “I want people to go joyfully and often to see live performance—Quantum and all the other things offered in town.”
barebones productions
barebones productions, started in 2003, wasn’t meant to be a long-lasting theater company. “We started barebones productions as a kind of experiment. There was a void in the Pittsburgh theater scene and the kind of plays that were being produced at the time. We were hoping to show that certain types of material that were being overlooked in our city were commercially viable. We were only going to do one show in the hopes that other companies would start doing the plays that we loved. When that didn’t happen, we did another show. And another show and another show and that kind of took hold,” said Patrick Jordan, founder and artistic director.
When picking out plays, Jordan aims to attract audience members, both young and old, through his selection of plays with relatable themes. “We’re looking for real human experience packaged in a contemporary and relatable way. Even if it’s a classic play, how does it relate to now and what people are going through right now, in this moment?,” he said.
barebones productions has undergone many changes during the years. It was incorporated as a nonprofit in 2016 and then the theater moved to a permanent home in Braddock in 2017. Both of these moves have allowed them to continue their mission. “Our mission is pretty simple—it’s to provide excellent art that connects people. To be thought-provoking while entertaining, artistically fulfilling for our actors and creative team, and, at the end of the day, maybe spark a little change or conversation or understanding that wouldn’t have been possible without it,” explained Jordan.
As with many theater companies, funding is always an issue, and barebones productions is constantly fundraising and looking for new revenue streams. Jordan noted that it’s often stressful for a company of their size. He added that donations or purchasing a subscription are a great way to support them, but there are other ways as well. “Simply buy a ticket to the show if that’s what your budget allows. I think most importantly, though, tell your friends. Word of mouth is honestly the biggest contributor to selling tickets. The more eyes on our shows the better. We’ve heard for years from our supporters that once you see one show, you’re hooked,” Jordan said.
The next opportunity to catch a barebones productions will be later this year in October, where they’ll be staging Crocodile Fever by Meghan Tyler. “Like a lot of plays that we produce, the first time I read it I thought “Well, we can never stage that.” And then I read it again and again and again, and then I decided that we had to figure out a way to stage this because it’s just that incredible,” said Jordan.
Stage 62
Stage 62 started out as a adult education theater project in Bethel Park in 1962 and has blossomed into a thriving theater company performing out of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library Music Hall in Carnegie, PA. “Stage 62’s mission is to unite the community in the joy of producing quality theater for all ages. We strive to enhance the cultural life in our area by offering affordable live theater that features artists from our own community, and by providing an enriching experience for young and old to learn all aspects of theater arts and production through volunteer participation,” said Ivy Ferris, marketing chair.
Stage 62 is different from other theaters as their productions are completely volunteer-run from the actors to the choreographers to the stage crew. “We are a completely volunteer-based organization, and managing everything requires a significant amount of time, work and energy. It’s not always easy for those of us with full-time jobs, families, and other commitments to balance all of that alongside our dedication to Stage 62. Despite the challenges, it’s absolutely worth it,” said Ferris.
According to Ferris, Stage 62’s season is decided upon by their artistic committee and artistic chair. These individuals are responsible for developing two distinct season slates. The public’s submissions are taken into account as the committee reviews all of their available options. These proposed slates are then presented to Stage 62’s voting members, who cast their votes to determine the final season selection. Their upcoming season is yet to be announced, but there are still some upcoming offerings to enjoy. On September 7th, the theater will be hosting Reprises and Reunions: A 62-Year Musical Celebration that celebrates the organization’s 62nd anniversary with musical performances from Stage 62 alumni with a reception to follow. The last play of their 2024 season is Rodgers and Hammerstein: Cinderella, which runs from November 7th-17th.
There are so many ways to get involved at Stage 62, from volunteering your time and abilities to making a donation to keep this theater thriving in Carnegie. Ferris stresses that the best thing you can do is spread the word about Stage 62 and bring your friends and family to see the company’s shows.”Every form of support is invaluable and helps Stage 62 continue its mission to bring the arts to the community,” said Ferris.
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