'Burgh Vivant

13/01/2026

Pittsburgh Opera is pleased to announce the hiring of William Powers as its new General Director, effective July 1, 2026.

He succeeds Christopher Hahn, who has served as Pittsburgh Opera’s General Director since 2008, and is retiring at the conclusion of Pittsburgh Opera’s 2025-26 season. Mr. Hahn had been Pittsburgh Opera’s Artistic Director from 2000-2008, before becoming the second-longest tenured General Director in company history.

A veteran artistic administrator with over 30 years’ experience, Mr. Powers has a proven track record of steady leadership, artistic vision, young artist development, and fiscal acuity.

Mr. Powers has been the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra (PYSO) since 2021. Prior to that, he worked at Pittsburgh Opera for 14 years, starting as Director of Artistic Administration, then being promoted to Director of Administration and Artistic Operations, and then to Managing Director. He has held posts with The Juilliard School’s Department of Vocal Arts, in the Artistic Department at The Metropolitan Opera and The Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, as General Director of the Berkshire Opera Company, and seasonal positions with the Aspen Music Festival and The Music Academy of the West.

Pittsburgh Opera

11/01/2026

Prime Stage Theatre announces the winners of the High School Drama Awards.

https://burghvivant.org/2026/01/11/winners-announced-at-the-6th-annual-drama-awards/

11/01/2026

Brilliant, funny, and astonishing - a review of “Paul Vigil: Doors of Deception.”

There aren’t very many magicians or mentalists who have fooled Penn & Teller, but Paul Vigil not only managed that near-impossible feat on their CW show, “Fool Us,” he was the first to do so. The mentalist/magician is holding court at Liberty Magic until February 1st.

Vigil, with a gentle demeanor, quick wit, and presumably quicker fingers (possibly faster than the human eye), is astonishing. He is a kind and affable deceiver. “Doors of Deception,” the Liberty Magic version of the show, is close-up magic. The farthest audience member is less than fifteen feet from the titular performer.

Vigil makes the most complicated trick look easy, effortless, but it is, in fact, far from easy. He pulls some standard tricks: disappearing eggs, ropes that extend past their original length, card tricks, etc., but he elevates the old bag of tricks with layers of complexity, giving new spins on old favorites. He even drops in a little bit of the history of magic, but without needless erudition.

The show uses a great deal of audience interaction, as he pulls participants up to the stage or asks them to stand up in their seats. At one point, Vigil asked three women in the audience for their rings and performed an elaborate trick with a lock and the combination. Without spoiling the trick, each woman got their ring back by the end. They were smart to place their faith in him; the entertainer has won the "Magic Trick of the Year" multiple times.

The theme of the show is misdirection and deception. He’s not really reading minds or controlling thoughts, but it does feel as if he is. He’d be the first to admit it’s all trickery.

While he’s a snazzy dresser, he doesn’t have that slick, used-car man sheen to him like some mentalists and magicians. His kindness, gentleness, and good-natured humor take him farther than the standard slick magician. He’s also better than those garden-variety guys.

“Paul Vigil: Doors of Deception” runs until February 1st at Liberty Magic, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here: https://trustarts.org/production/102087/paul-vigil-in-doors-of-deception

09/01/2026

Happy New Year! As we begin 2026, we want to say thank you for your support of our year-end campaign. With our 30th Anniversary Season underway, your generosity is helping sustain and expand our work.

We’re grateful to be part of a community that continues to gather through movement and shared experiences.

Join us for a winter warm up. Traction is this Sunday!
Winter Traction is a one-day intensive designed for pre-professional, professional dancers, and dance enthusiasts. Participants can choose a half-day morning session or for the full day of dance, repertory, somatic practice and creative process.

On Sunday, January 11, 2026, the morning track (9am - 12pm) begins with a dynamic class in modern dance taught by Co-Artistic Director, Michele de la Reza, followed by Attack Theatre repertory phrases with the company dancers.

The full day track (9am - 4pm) includes the morning class and repertory, as well as an afternoon of creative process led by Co-Artistic Director, Peter Kope and a special somatic practices workshop with Sarah Zielinski. All workshops prioritize process, personal expression, and creative play.

Learn more and Register now: https://www.attacktheatre.com/traction

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Community Event: Creative People for Peace presents Theatre of Cultural Resistance Workshop

Join us for our first community event of the new year: Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 10:30am - 1:30pm
In this introductory workshop, we will begin with movement, working to identify each individual body and its potential for acting in the space. Then we will work toward creating a group dynamic, the group being a necessary vessel for cultural transmission. Finally, we will explore resistance through the body – the body of the individual, the body of the group, and the body of a chosen text.

Following the workshop, join us for a sneak preview of a brand new Slovo. Theater Group project inspired by the topic of sleep deprivation plaguing mothers everywhere but most especially Ukrainians due to four years of bomb alerts at all times of the (day and) night.

Learn more and Register now:
https://www.attacktheatre.com/community-events

Attack Theatre

09/01/2026

Chamber Music Pittsburgh brings early music “rock band” Ruckus and bass-baritone Davóne Tines to downtown Pittsburgh.

Presented in partnership with The August Wilson African American Cultural Center on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Ruckus and Davóne Tines will reflect upon the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in a new program entitled, “What Is Your Hand In This?”

On Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 7:30pm at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), Chamber Music Pittsburgh (CMP) is proud to present Ruckus in their Pittsburgh debut with bass-baritone Davóne Tines. Well known for their versatility and playful approach to early music, the San Francisco Classical Voice has described Ruckus as “the world’s only period-instrument rock band.” According to Alex Ross of The New Yorker, bass-baritone Davóne Tines is “changing what it means to be a classical singer.” Together, they will perform “What Is Your Hand In This?” a program that travels through four centuries of reimagined songs, hymns, and ballads to offer a meditation on and interrogation of the American legacy through its revolutionary music.

The program is presented in partnership with both the AWAACC and Pittsburgh’s Calliope House, an organization dedicated to the “preservation of traditional and contemporary folk music and its allied arts” and headquartered in Shadyside.

“This special partnership between our three organizations has enabled us to share this incredible program with a broad and diverse audience,” said CMP Executive and Artistic Director Martha Bonta. “In November, CMP presented Bach’s complete Brandenburg Concertos performed in a twist as chamber music on modern instruments. With Ruckus and Tines, we will hear period instruments through the lens of contemporary performance practice that traces a line from the Baroque ripieno to the jazz rhythm section and the modern folk-rock band. It’s so exciting in this light to see where our respective audiences already overlap, and to identify the spaces where there are opportunities to bring our communities together. Also appropriately for our audiences, I’m thrilled that the program opens with a song by the incredibly influential 19th century composer and Pittsburgh native, Stephen Foster.”

Tickets:

Pick 3 subscriptions range from $99–$156 and can be purchased online, by mail, or by calling the box office at (412) 626-6121. Single ticket prices range from $35–53. Individual student tickets are $15.

Chamber Music Pittsburgh

Photo: Ruckus

08/01/2026

AMERICA 250 WITH THE PBT ORCHESTRA

Benedum Center | February 20-22

Experience four vibrant works that capture the heart and soul of the American spirit.

From big-band rhythms to star-spangled flair, this dynamic program showcases the range and vitality of American dance, with exhilarating and emotional music performed live by the PBT Orchestra.

- The Mighty Casey | A buoyant tribute to baseball

- Stars and Stripes Pas de deux | A dazzling display of classical ballet

- Company B | A nostalgic, bittersweet ode to the American Dream

- Three Preludes | Romance in its purest form

Choreography: Lisa de Ribere, George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust, Ben Stevenson, Paul Taylor

Music: Michael Moricz, featuring selections from John Philip Sousa and Stephen Foster, John Philip Sousa, Sergei Rachmaninoff, The Andrews Sisters

Tickets: https://pbt.culturaldistrict.org/production/99169

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

America 250 - Pittsburgh | Official Ticket Source | Benedum Center | Fri, Feb 20 - Sun, Feb 22, 2026 | | Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

07/01/2026

7 HUGE SHOWS!

This week, come to The Arcade for house teams, comedy bingo, stand-up, improv duos, our watch-and-play comedy show for kids, and more!

THURSDAY, 1/8, at 7:00PM

A Trio of Home-Grown Improv Teams
Arcade Comedy Theater presents the House Team Hot Spot — a show featuring a rotating set of our very own improv comedy teams. Each performance features house teams jumping into the hot spot and bringing their unique brand of comedy. See lively short-form games with plenty of opportunities for the audience to get involved; kick back and watch a dynamic long-form improv set unfold based on a single suggestion. All of it adds up to a unique night of live comedy that burns bright for 75 minutes!

Tickets: https://www.arcadecomedytheater.com/event/house-team-hot-spot-54

Friday, January 9

FRIDAY, 1/9, at 7PM

A Spotlight on Home-Grown Improv Teams
Arcade Comedy Theater presents the House Team Spotlight — a show featuring a rotating set of our very own improv comedy teams. Each performance features an advanced-level house team jumping into the spotlight and bringing their unique brand of comedy. Some weeks, you will see lively short-form games with plenty of opportunities for the audience to get involved. Some weeks, you can kick back and watch a dynamic long-form improv set unfold based on a single suggestion. All of it adds up to a unique night of live comedy that burns bright for 75 minutes!

Tickets: https://www.arcadecomedytheater.com/event/house-team-spotlight-19

Please check Arcade's website at https://www.arcadecomedytheater.com/events
for other January comedy events.

Arcade Comedy Theater

07/01/2026

WINTER/SPRING - Class Schedule

CLASSES BEGIN JANUARY 25th

Acting 101

Your acting career starts here! Discover truth, impulse, and fearless work for theater, film, and television.

Mondays 7:00-9:30 pm
JAN 26 - MAR 16

Spots are going fast!

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201: The Actor's TECHNIQUE

Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.

JAN 28 - MAR 25​​

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301: Contemporary SCENE STUDY

Tuesdays 7:00-10:00 pm

JAN 27 - MAR 24

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401: Advanced Acting SHOWASE

Wednesdays 7:00-10:00 pm

JAN 28 - MAR 25

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Learn more about these classes and additional classes - On Camera Classes and Workshops at Https://www.ensembleactors.com/

Actors Studio

07/01/2026

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Presents:

Step Afrika!
Friday, February 13
Byham Theater • 7:30 pm
Get Tickets

This February, celebrate Black History Month with Step Afrika!, the award-winning dance company sharing their signature work "The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence".

Step Afrika! shares the images, color palette, and motifs in the painting series by Jacob Lawrence. Through pulsating rhythms and visually stunning movement, experience the astonishing story of African Americans moving from the rural South to the industrial North to escape Jim Crow, racial oppression, and lynchings in the early 1900s.

Tickets: https://trustarts.org/production/101600/step-afrika

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

07/01/2026

CITY THEATRE CONTINUES 2025/2026 SEASON WITH
‘MALCOLM X AND REDD FOXX WASHING DISHES AT JIMMY’S CHICKEN SHACK IN HARLEM’

The Co-World Premiere will be on stage January 17 – February 8.

City Theatre kicks off 2026 with a highly anticipated two hander – the co-world premiere of "Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem" by Jonathan Norton, directed by Dexter J. Singleton.

“Jonathan has written a remarkably prescient and hilarious script that imagines the formative years of two enormously influential figures,” shared Artistic Director Clare Drobot. “We’re thrilled to build this production with TheatreSquared, Virginia Stage Company, and Dallas Theater Center and to introduce audiences to the exceptional team behind it.”

Hailed by the press as “a captivating two hander about people you think you know in an era you think you understand. Above all, it is the evolution of a friendship that reverberated throughout two meaningful lives.” (The Unforgettable Line). Furthermore, production’s initial run at TheatreSquared hailed as a show “to see this fall” by The New York Times; the play and artists are featured in the current edition of American Theatre magazine.

The cast introduces Pittsburgh audiences to Trey Smith-Mills and Edwin Green. The creative team includes: scenic design by Kimberly Powers, costume design by Claudia Brownlee, lighting design by Levi J. Wilkins, and sound design by frequent City Theatre collaborator Howard Patterson. The production is stage managed by Patti Kelly.

City Theatre is partnering with several community organizations in conjunction with the production including Alumni Theatre Company, Steel Smiling, August Wilson African American Cultural Center, and Vibrant Pittsburgh.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
January 17 – February 8, 2026
• Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and/or 7:30 p.m.
• Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and/or 5:30 p.m. Sundays at 2:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.

For a complete listing of show times, please visit CityTheatreCompany.org or call 412-431-2489 (CITY).

Tickets: https://www.citytheatrecompany.org/production/100835

City Theatre

07/01/2026

Truth, Power, and Consequence Take Center Stage in Pittsburgh Public Theater’s "An Enemy of the People"

The celebrated adaptation by Amy Herzog makes its Pittsburgh premiere February 4–22, 2026, under the direction of Marya Sea Kaminski.

Pittsburgh Public Theater kicks off 2026 with the Pittsburgh premiere of the recent Broadway adaptation of AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, taking the stage at the O’Reilly Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh February 4–22, 2026. Amy Herzog’s acclaimed new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic—sharply reimagined for today’s world—arrives with gripping urgency, incisive humor, and a dynamic ensemble, launching the Public’s 2026 season with bold theatrical force.

The production features an impressive cast and creative team led by former Artistic Director Marya Sea Kaminski, marking a welcome return to the company as she lends her distinctive perspective to this timely and provocative work.

CAST

GARBIE DUKES (Aslaksen)

SCOTT GIGUERE (Peter Stockmann)

MARTIN GILES (Morten Kiil)

ZANNY LAIRD (Petra Stockmann)

SAM LOTHARD (Captain Horster)

BRETT MACK (Hovstad)

MICHAEL MCBURNEY (Production Understudy)

MJ SIEBER (Dr. Thomas Stockmann)

MICHAEL PATRICK TRIMM (Production Understudy)

EVAN VINES (Billing)

AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
February 4-22, 2026
O’Reilly Theater
621 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Drama Desk Award Winner Outstanding Adaptation—Amy Herzog
By Henrik Ibsen
A New Version by Amy Herzog
Directed by Marya Sea Kaminski

TICKET & EVENT INFORMATION
Tickets start at $41, all-inclusive, with discounts available for full-time students, patrons 26 and under with code HOTTIX, as well as groups of 10 or more. Interested groups should contact our Group Sales partners at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust at PPT.org/GroupSales or 412.471.6930.

Tickets: https://www.ppt.org/production/100483

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ACTOR’S COLLECTIVE ARTISTS
The Actors Collective is a training-first program for new and emerging actors to develop the skills and experience necessary to launch their careers. Members of the Collective will train together throughout the year by attending workshops hosted by industry professionals, serve as artistic ambassadors to guest artists and the larger community, and understudy select Public productions.

Those actors are:

ETHAN DAVIS BUTLER

LIAM GANNON

SARAH JK SHOEMAKER

MIKE ZOLOVICH

Pittsburgh Public Theater

An Enemy of the People - Pittsburgh | Official Ticket Source | O'Reilly Theater | Wed, Feb 4 - Sun, Feb 22, 2026 | | Pittsburgh Public Theater

06/01/2026

Valentine’s Day Tea & Other February Events at The Frick Pittsburgh.

Valentine’s Day High Tea

Feb. 13 & 14, reserved seatings at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Grab your valentine and cherish a special day together with a Valentine’s Day High Tea at The Café at the Frick! Please note that the Frick’s high teas often fill up quickly. $65.00 per person plus tax and 20% gratuity. More information will soon be available at thefrickpittsburgh.org.

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“Lewis Hine Pictures America” Exhibition

Opens Feb. 21 at 10 a.m.

This exhibition highlights the work of Lewis Hine, the “father of documentary photography.” Hine’s artistic photos exposed the harsh realities faced by immigrants, children and the working class in their everyday lives during the early decades of the twentieth century. The exhibition includes some of Hine’s most famous images of newly arrived immigrants at Ellis Island, children at work, the steel industry in Pittsburgh and the construction of the Empire State Building. Tickets will soon be available at thefrickpittsburgh.org/Exhibition-Lewis-Hine-Pictures-America.

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Guided Exhibition Tours of “Lewis Hine Pictures America”

Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1 & 2:30 p.m., starting Feb. 25

Visitors can join a guided tour of “Lewis Hine Pictures America” to explore his photographs on a deeper level. These tours are free with exhibition admission and last approximately one hour. More information is available at thefrickpittsburgh.org/Exhibition-Lewis-Hine-Pictures-America.

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“Vaesen” Returns: Roleplaying Game Session

Feb. 22 at 1 p.m.

Solve the mystery of which supernatural creature is terrorizing the steel mills of Pittsburgh in this custom version of the tabletop roleplaying game, “Vaesen.” Based on the artwork of Swedish illustrator and author Johan Egerkrans, “Vaesen” brings Nordic folklore and myths to life in a fictional Gothic setting through facilitated, role-play-based gaming. This program is 18+. $25 for members, $35 for non-members, $15 for college students with ID. Tickets will soon be available at thefrickpittsburgh.org.

The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens