Theatre Historical Society Of America To Visit Pittsburgh This Month

Pittsburgh, PA (PittsburghNewsWire.com) — This year’s tour will bring 125 attendees from six countries including the U.S., Canada, England, France, Australia and New Zealand to Pennsylvania. THS’ annual Conclave Theatre Tours offers each attendee the opportunity to experience cities across America while exploring its theatres.

Home to the world’s first Nickelodeon, opened in 1905, Pittsburgh has a long and varied theatrical history. From 19th century opera houses to newly-built 20th century theatres, downtown Pittsburgh continues to thrive in the 21st century, thanks in part to a cultural mecca built by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, who rallied early in the historic preservation movement to save and restore a number of iconic venues. Hand in hand with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, today the Cultural Trust and the PSO, downtown Pittsburgh is a highly regarded example of how historic preservation and Creative Placemaking can transform an area into a thriving downtown cultural district. In addition to exploring downtown, THS will also visit venues in the surrounding areas including Oakmont, Dormont, Carnegie, Homestead (to name a few) and as far away as Erie.

In addition to all-access tours of theatres across the region, attendees will also take in a lecture from Kevin McMahon of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and attend the Pittsburgh CLO’s performance of “Footloose.” At the Warner Cascade Theatre in New Castle, attendees will bear witness to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s dedication of an of?cial state marker commemorating the historic site of the Warner Brothers’ ?rst theatre.

“In the 40 years we’ve been planning these Theatre Tours, this will be the first time we’ve ever visited Pittsburgh. As a Pittsburgh native myself, I am excited to show our attendees the rich cultural history of the Steel City. From the location of the first Nickelodeon to the current revitalization efforts of the Hill District – Pittsburgh is a theatre town through and through.“ said Executive Director, Richard L. Fosbrink.

Pittsburgh native David Newell, known for his portrayal of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’s speedy delivery man Mr. McFeely, and longtime THS member, will preside over the tour as honorary Conclave Host.

EVENT DETAILS ABOUT CONCLAVE THEATRE TOUR:

Dates: June 24-28, 2014
Cost: $495 for members/ $585 for non-members
Register: Online at historictheatres.org or call 630-782-1800

For more information about this topic, to schedule a preliminary interview or an on-location interview during the theatre tour, please contact Janine Pixley, Development & Marketing Director at 630-782-1800 x 302 or janine.pixley@historictheatres.org.

CONCLAVE THEATRE TOUR TO VISIT THE FOLLOWING VENUES:

WEDNESDAY JUNE 25
Oaks Theater, Oakmont
Casino Theatre, Vandergrift
Palace Theatre, Greensburg
Geyer Performing Arts Center, Scottdale
Edwin S. Porter Theater, Connellsville
State Theatre Center for the Arts, Uniontown
Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead, Homestead

THURSDAY JUNE 26
Strand Theater, Zelienople
Guthrie Theatre, Grove City
Academy Theatre, Meadville
Warner Theatre, Erie
Warner Cascade Theatre, New Castle

FRIDAY JUNE 27
Nickelodeon Marker, Smithfield Street
Byham Theater
Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts
Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
O’Reilly Theater
Harris Theater
Warner Centre

SATURDAY JUNE 28
Kelly Strayhorn Theater, East Liberty
McGonigle Theater at Central Catholic High School, Oakland
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, Oakland
Charity Randall Theatre, Stephen Foster Memorial, Oakland
Carnegie Music Hall of Oakland, Oakland
Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, Carnegie
Hollywood Theater, Dormont
Roxian Theatre, McKees Rocks
Garden Theater, Pittsburgh
Granada Theater, Pittsburgh

ABOUT THE THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA:
Founded in 1969 as a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the rich history of America’s historic theatres, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) exists today as a common ground for all who value the role of these historic structures in our social and cultural history. Through preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive and our educational programming, including our flagship publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres. Visit THS online at historictheatres.org.

ABOUT CONCLAVE THEATRE TOUR:
Each year THS engages different communities across the United States with a week-long Theatre Tour called “Conclave.” Held in a different geographic location each year, the tour is designed to showcase 20-30 local theatres and their historical significance within the spectrum of theatre history. Over the past 30 years, THS has designed tours for major bustling metropolitan areas (including Chicago, NYC, Detroit, Michigan and Los Angeles) as well as rolling pastoral romps that include the New York Capital Region and Seattle, Washington. Find out more about the upcoming tour at historictheatres.org