Point Park University in Pittsburgh has opened the Pittsburgh Playhouse—a new home for the university’s Conservatory of Performing Arts on the school's downtown campus.
The $60 million facility houses the university’s four performance companies: the REP, Point Park’s professional theatre company; the Conservatory Theatre Company; Conservatory Dance Company; and Playhouse Jr.
The new playhouse incorporates two historic structures: the University Center and the Stock Exchange Building. The 90,411-square-foot complex features three new theaters: a 550-seat proscenium/thrust main stage, a multi-form 212-seat “transformational theater,” and a 102-seat black box venue.
It also houses a sound stage, scenery shop, prop shop, paint shop, costume shop, television studio, scenic design and general classrooms, rehearsal halls, acting studios, classrooms, and faculty offices as well as public amenities such as lobbies, concessions, ticket/business office, and performer support. Other labs and shops and studios are exposed to the internal circulation system and to the street itself, communicating the vitality of making, fabrication, experimentation, and creativity.
The playhouse was designed to be a learning laboratory for all Point Park students, the university says, not just those enrolled in the Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Students from across the academic community will have learning opportunities that include aspects of producing, marketing, management, ticketing and programming.
“The new Pittsburgh Playhouse is a game-changer for Point Park University and downtown Pittsburgh,” says Paul Hennigan, president of Point Park University. “We believe cross-disciplinary opportunities the Playhouse provides students will be unrivaled in our region.”
The facility officially opened its doors last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony
The architect is DLR Group|WRL.
