Kelly Strayhorn Theater

Kelly Strayhorn Theater Kelly Strayhorn Theater is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people.
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As the last of nine theaters from the 1950s heyday of East Liberty, the Kelly Strayhorn plays a key role in the transformation of East Liberty into a welcoming and dynamic town-within-a-city by using the arts as a catalyst for continuing community revitalization. Kelly Strayhorn Theater is an intimate, professionally-equipped, 350-seat multiple-use performance venue. With a commitment to support t

he burgeoning arts community in the city of Pittsburgh, the theater serves as an ideal place for emerging local artists, regional artists and arts organizations to take risks and present new work.

We want to share a shoutout to three KST alumni! Congratulations to the cast and crew of Whistleblowers, a new play pres...
05/29/2026

We want to share a shoutout to three KST alumni! Congratulations to the cast and crew of Whistleblowers, a new play presented by New Product Company .

This production features three artists connected to KST in different ways over time. New Product Company was co-founded by 2023 Freshworks alumni Pria Dahiya. 2026 Winter/Spring Marketing Intern Nai’Ron Arnett lends his acting talents as part of the cast, and the production is produced, media and sound designed by 2025/2026 Finance & Operations Intern Cole Schubert.

We’re glad to have spent time with each of these artists at different stages of their practice at Kelly Strayhorn Theater, and it’s always meaningful to see Pittsburgh’s arts community growing together.

Whistleblowers follows five employees at a fictional aerospace company who are forced into a mandatory empathy course as part of a corporate leadership training. When a whistleblower scandal goes public mid-session, the exercises stop being hypothetical.

Whistleblowers, written and directed by Spencer Byham-Carson, runs from May 28 - May 30 at Three Stories, 937 Liberty Ave. View more info and purchase tickets here:

https://www.newproductcompany.com/upcoming-shows

Photo Credit: Lillie Tuck

05/29/2026

Artist Maree ReMalia has been connected to Kelly Strayhorn Theater as a choreographer, performer, and instructor. Here, she shares some of the ways that KST helps create community and collaboration opportunities for artists.⁠
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Maree began her artistic journey with KST in 2013, when she worked on her then-work-in-progress The Ubiquitous Mass of Us at her Freshworks residency, dancing alongside a cast that included KST's Co-Executive Director Joseph Hall!⁠ Ubiquitous world premiered at New Hazlett Theater and later toured to Middlebury College in Vermont.
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In January 2026, Maree was part of the KSTXNYC program. We partnered with Live Artery Festival | New York Live Arts and Hatch Arts Collective to present a work in progress studio showing of Maree's WITH OURSELVES, WITH EACH OTHER. This new performance in development will have its world premiere in Pittsburgh at KST in Fall 2026.⁠
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You can help KST support artists like Maree by attending our 18th annual benefit, House Party: Mic Drop!, on Saturday, July 11.⁠
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View more information and purchase tickets:
https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/houseparty-2026-mic-drop/

WOWEO ARTISTIC TEAM
Creator/Performer/Co-director: Maree ReMalia
Co-director: Adil Mansoor
Assistant Director: Iliana Tomasa Sharp
Dramaturg: Jenny Johnson
Sound Design: David Bernabo
Lighting Design: Nicole White
Media Design: Kolton Cotton
Scenic Design: Sasha Jin Schwartz
Wardrobe Design: Rona Chang
Wardrobe Stylist: Rachel Vallozzi
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KST is proud to announce the incoming Freshworks artists for the 2026/2027 season!Mal MacKenzie, lys scott, Michael Curr...
05/28/2026

KST is proud to announce the incoming Freshworks artists for the 2026/2027 season!

Mal MacKenzie, lys scott, Michael Curry, and Aaleah C. Oliver are the next artists who will be presenting their works-in-progress as part of our Freshworks program.

Special thanks to all the artists who applied and this year’s Freshworks review panelists: Anya Clarke-Verdery, B Kleymeyer (2023 Freshworks Artist), Jordan Howard (2021 Freshworks Artist) and José Pérez IV.

Read more about the artists and their upcoming works-in-progress here:
https://kelly-strayhorn.org/community/freshworks/

Stay tuned for residency announcements, showing dates, and ticket information coming in late August for Fall 2026 and early December for Winter/Spring 2027 for the corresponding residencies.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Artists

Our Glam Couch Experience is SOLD OUT – your exclusive lounge within the VIP reception at House Party: Mic Drop!⁠⁠The Gl...
05/27/2026

Our Glam Couch Experience is SOLD OUT – your exclusive lounge within the VIP reception at House Party: Mic Drop!⁠
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The Glam Couch Experience includes admission for up to 4 guests, a champagne toast just for you and your crew, plus VIP perks like open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Lock in guaranteed seating for the night – a luxe, comfy space to call your own – with prime views of every karaoke mic-drop moment.⁠
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Tickets are still available for the immersive VIP Reception. Learn more and purchase your tickets here:
https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/houseparty-2026-mic-drop/

Saturday, July 11, 2026
7:00pm – 9:00pm: Immersive VIP Reception
9:00pm – 12:00am: Dance Party

Photo Credit: Chad Isaiah
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As you know, this year's House Party: Mic Drop! is karaoke-themed!! 🎙️✨️🎶 ⁠👀 At the VIP Reception, we will have secret c...
05/23/2026

As you know, this year's House Party: Mic Drop! is karaoke-themed!! 🎙️✨️🎶
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👀 At the VIP Reception, we will have secret celebrity singers singing the most unexpected songs. The best part? YOU get to decide which songs they will sing between two options with the Donate to Vote feature ✅️ .

Stay tuned as we announce the celebrity singers soon and how you can donate to choose the tunes... 🤫

See you at KST for House Party: Mic Drop! on Saturday, July 11. 7:00pm - 9:00pm features the Immersive VIP Reception, followed by the Dance Party 9:00pm-12:00am -- Bring your main character energy, because the mic is gonna be hot!

https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/houseparty-2026-mic-drop/

Photo Credit: Beth Barbis, House Party: Lavender Wave in 2025.

⭐️ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for House Party: Mic Drop! ⭐️House Party: Mic Drop! is KST’s 18th annual benefit returning as a kar...
05/23/2026

⭐️ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for House Party: Mic Drop! ⭐️

House Party: Mic Drop! is KST’s 18th annual benefit returning as a karaoke fundraiser supporting our fall 2026 season on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

Various Volunteer Slots are available between Monday to Saturday, July 6 - 11.

By joining our volunteer team, you're not just lending a hand – you're becoming a part of the pulse-pounding spectacle! Please sign up by Sunday, June 21 at 11:59pm if you are interested.

Volunteers must be 18 years or older to perform tasks for House Party.

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0PAvv_Qmrpt7QmtHG14dm_kdnkgmI5hcdHAl_puyglnq6jQ/viewform

Photo Credit: Chad Isaiah

Who’s your favorite artist? Cast your vote for our 2027 tribute concert!Since 2020, KST has presented a recurring serie...
05/22/2026

Who’s your favorite artist? Cast your vote for our 2027 tribute concert!

Since 2020, KST has presented a recurring series of tribute concerts honoring musical legends. Past honorees have included Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, and Prince.

KST's 2027 tribute concert features a night filled with hits from the chosen artist, performed by some of Pittsburgh's most sensational musicians led by Music Director Jerome O. Kirkland Jr.

Please identify your favorite artist by completing the poll below by Friday, June 5 at 5:00pm:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXGcpokxvjcorNnWzWwtsQEGcgZG5Di_NpaSIyrtG8rpsAdw/viewform?usp=header

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Collage by Alexandra Zegar

05/21/2026

anna thompson and taylor knight, Co-Artistic Directors of the multidisciplinary performance entity slowdanger (), reflect on the importance of supporting KST.

Over the years, the artists have presented many of their works through KST, including 2023’s SUPERCELL. They have also been featured in KSTXNYC, a signature initiative that shares new works commissioned and developed in Pittsburgh by KST in collaboration with national partners.

You can help us sustain our ongoing work uplifting artists like slowdanger by attending KST's 18th benefit, House Party: Mic Drop! on Saturday, July 11.

https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/houseparty-2026-mic-drop/

Kelly Strayhorn Theater has been awarded a $50,000 grant through the Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh program, funded ...
05/19/2026

Kelly Strayhorn Theater has been awarded a $50,000 grant through the Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh program, funded by The Pittsburgh Foundation () and The Heinz Endowments (). This grant will be used to support collaborations between two national Black choreographers and KST.

We also extend our congratulations to our Director of Advancement, Melike Vivastine Konur, who has been awarded a grant to create and present Brown Moon, her multidisciplinary new work and living archive of Afro-Turk matriarchal traditions.

Read more about the grant recipients here: https://pittsburghfoundation.org/advancing-black-arts-pittsburgh

Photo Credit: The Pittsburgh Foundation

How can you save for retirement if you live paycheck to paycheck?⁠⁠In Citizens Financial Workshop Series: Retire Ready, ...
05/19/2026

How can you save for retirement if you live paycheck to paycheck?⁠
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In Citizens Financial Workshop Series: Retire Ready, experts from Citizens will walk you through flexible ways to save for retirement that work with freelance or project-based income.⁠
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Tune into the Zoom session on Wednesday, May 20 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm to learn tips to help you take control of your financial future.⁠
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https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/citizens-financial-workshop-series-retire-ready/

Zoom | Online⁠
Pay What Moves You: $0 – $20

Address

5941 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
15206

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
7pm - 8pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
7pm - 8pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
7pm - 8pm

Telephone

+14123633000

Website

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