Zanny Laird and cast members of Pittsburgh Public Theater’s 2026 production of
“An Enemy of the People” at the O’Reilly Theater, directed by Marya Sea Kaminski. (Photo by Maranie R. Staab)
PITTSBURGH: The boards of directors of Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO) and Pittsburgh Public Theater (PPT) have voted to form a new, unified organization. This decision follows more than a year of exploration, analysis, and candid conversations about the possibility of creating a new model, while continuing to honor the legacies of PPT and CLO. Notably, City Theatre Company, which had been in initial talks to join as well, opted to decline. The first full season of the merged companies is slated to debut in January 2027, with programming expected to be announced by early fall.
In a statement, the theatres’ leadership said they are designing the collaboration “to ensure a bold and artistically ambitious future for professionally produced live theatre and arts education in the region.” They said they hope to create “a dynamic destination in the city’s cultural district as part of the broader downtown revitalization already underway, energizing audiences of all ages and perspectives with inventive, year-round programming.”
Said PPT board chair Krysia Kubiak in a statement, “This highly collaborative effort has been guided by an unwavering belief in the opportunity we have to shape our destinies together. We can create a stronger, more sustainable approach that ensures live theatre thrives for generations to come and our cultural vibrancy continues to serve as a vital anchor for one of the most livable cities in the world. At the same time, it’s been about staking claim to newfound joy. With this historic opportunity, we have landed exactly where we are meant to be.”
“We are truly grateful to everyone who has supported this innovative process and will continue to be enthusiastic champions of our next exciting chapter,” PCLO board chair Joseph V. DiVito Jr. said in a statement. “This is a once-in-a-generation chance to embark on an exceptional journey together that leads to spectacular possibilities that might have otherwise been impossible.”
To help lead this next phase, Dr. Brett Ashley Crawford has been appointed to guide the transition, including assembling a transition team. Dr. Crawford, a teaching professor and faculty chair of the MA Arts and Entertainment Management program at Carnegie Mellon University, brings experience in theatre management, audience engagement, marketing, production management, and arts education.
“Theatre, at its core, is about people, and people will continue to be central to our process and decision-making as we embark on this exciting transition,” said Dr. Crawford in a statement. “By leveraging the respective strengths, common missions and shared audiences of both organizations, the new model will devote more resources to the art, the artists and the audiences, while forging a bold path to a successful and sustainable future.”
An initial funding commitment to support the first part of this next phase has been secured and an interim board has been named. The board includes Joseph V. DiVito Jr., Lesley Evancho, Edward Karlovich, Christine Kobus, Krysia Kubiak, Richard Lipovich, Thomas McGough, Jessica Priselac, Peter Robinson, Bal Srinivasan, LaShawnda Thomas, and TJ Young. Krysia Kubiak and Joseph DiVito Jr. will continue to chair the current Pittsburgh Public Theater and Pittsburgh CLO boards, which will remain engaged in this effort through the completion of the process.
Advancing on an accelerated timeline, the immediate focus of the transition team will be on establishing the legal structure for the new organization, shaping its leadership and operating structure and aligning on a shared artistic vision. Other near-term priorities include executing a real estate and venue strategy, naming and branding the entity, retaining an executive search firm to identify a permanent leader, and integrating essential technology and administrative systems.
Since 1946, Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theatre in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this nonprofit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons yearly who attend its performances at three venues in the cultural district.
The Pittsburgh Public Theater has been described as “one of the most accomplished resident theatres on the East Coast” by Terry Teachout (Wall Street Journal), and was the first to produce the full August Wilson “Century Cycle,” including the world premiere of King Hedley II. By pairing world-class talent with homegrown artists, the theatre aims to strengthen Pittsburgh’s creative workforce and built a pipeline of excellence that continues to shape the city’s artistic future.
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