Prime Stage Theatre
Encyclopedia
Prime Stage Theatre is a professional theatre company located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
dedicated to creating educational theatrical productions for middle school and high school students. Its mission is to "entertain, educate, and enrich families, students, and educators in the discovery of live theatre and literature...by producing adaptations of literature, new works, and other plays which celebrate the achievements of young people and adults." It is a member of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. Founded in 1996 by artistic director Wayne Brinda, the theatre's first production was staged at the Station Square
Playhouse. The theatre then moved to La Roche College
, where it produced two full seasons. In 1998, the theatre moved to Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera
Academy for one season, followed by its production of Clemente: The Measure of a Man at Point Park University
's George White Theatre in 1999. In 2000, Prime Stage produced works at the New Hazlett Theatre, until it inaugurated a new theatre facility at 937 Liberty Avenue in 2003, a space now inhabited by Bricolage Production Company
. In 2006, Prime Stage returned to the New Hazlett, where it has continued to produce theatrical adaptations of literary classics and classic plays. Prime Stage has also staged productions as part of the Pittsburgh New Works Festival
.
Prime Stage has several outreach programs for teens, including its Technical Theatre Mentor Program, which provides opportunities for middle school and high school students to participate in the technical aspects of the theatre's productions, and the Teen Advisory Board, which helps guide Prime Stage in the development of its productions as well as participating in service projects that benefit the area's youth.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
dedicated to creating educational theatrical productions for middle school and high school students. Its mission is to "entertain, educate, and enrich families, students, and educators in the discovery of live theatre and literature...by producing adaptations of literature, new works, and other plays which celebrate the achievements of young people and adults." It is a member of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. Founded in 1996 by artistic director Wayne Brinda, the theatre's first production was staged at the Station Square
Station Square
Station Square is a indoor and outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment complex located in the South Shore neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
Playhouse. The theatre then moved to La Roche College
La Roche College
La Roche College is a private college in McCandless, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. It was founded in 1963 by the Sisters of Divine Providence as a Roman Catholic college and now sits on an campus in McCandless. The current president, Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, Ph.D., was installed in...
, where it produced two full seasons. In 1998, the theatre moved to Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera
Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera
Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera is a nonprofit professional theater company based in the Cultural District of Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA....
Academy for one season, followed by its production of Clemente: The Measure of a Man at Point Park University
Point Park University
Point Park University is a liberal arts university located in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Formerly known as Point Park College, the school name was revised in 2004 to reflect the number of graduate programs being offered....
's George White Theatre in 1999. In 2000, Prime Stage produced works at the New Hazlett Theatre, until it inaugurated a new theatre facility at 937 Liberty Avenue in 2003, a space now inhabited by Bricolage Production Company
Bricolage Production Company
Bricolage Production Company is a professional theatre company based in downtown Pittsburgh. Established in 2001 by Jeffrey Carpenter, it is located on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh's Cultural District in a space that was formerly a Turkish bathhouse...
. In 2006, Prime Stage returned to the New Hazlett, where it has continued to produce theatrical adaptations of literary classics and classic plays. Prime Stage has also staged productions as part of the Pittsburgh New Works Festival
Pittsburgh New Works Festival
Pittsburgh New Works Festival is an annual festival that produces original one-act plays utilizing the resources of Pittsburgh-area theatre companies. Established in 1990 by Donna Rae, the Festival features four weeks of productions of new plays as well as two weeks of staged readings...
.
Prime Stage has several outreach programs for teens, including its Technical Theatre Mentor Program, which provides opportunities for middle school and high school students to participate in the technical aspects of the theatre's productions, and the Teen Advisory Board, which helps guide Prime Stage in the development of its productions as well as participating in service projects that benefit the area's youth.