Theatre Historical Society of America to Visit Iconic Pittsburgh Theatres Summer 2014

Media Contact:

Janine Pixley
Development & Marketing Director
janine.pixley@historictheatres.org
630-782-1800 x302

   
Images:  Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA  and  Academy of Music, Meadville, PA [click both for larger image]

Pittsburgh, PA(PittsburghNewsWire.com) — The Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) is thrilled to announce that it will visit the Pittsburgh region to visit nearly 30 iconic and historic theatres on its 44th annual Conclave Theatre Tour held June 24-28, 2014.Attended by participants from the U.S., including Canada, England, France, Australia and New Zealand, the annual Conclave Theatre Tours offer the opportunity for theatre lovers from around the globe to experience architecturally significant cities across America through the lens of their theatres.

Home to the world’s first Nickelodeon in 1905, Pittsburgh has a long and varied history of architectural styles of theatres.  From 19th century opera houses to 20th century new theatres, Pittsburgh’s theatres continue to thrive in the 21st century thanks in part to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, who rallied early to save and restore a number of iconic venues on the tour including the Benedum Center, Byham Theater and Harris Theater and transform them into the pillars of a thriving downtown cultural district.

Outside of the core of downtown, THS will also visit venues in the surrounding areas that include lovingly restored gems including the Oaks Theater (Oakmont), Palace Theatre (Greensburg) and Hollywood Theater.

“In the 40 years we’ve been planning these Theatre Tours, this will be the first time we’ve ever visited Pittsburgh. We’re excited to share this wonderful area with such rich cultural heritage with our attendees.” said Executive Director, Richard L. Fosbrink.

Pittsburgh native David Newell, known for his portrayal of TV’s beloved Mr. McFeely, will preside over the tour as honorary Conclave Host.

EVENT DETAILS ABOUT CONCLAVE THEATRE TOUR:
Dates: June 24-28, 2014
Cost: Before March 15 — $475 for members/ $585 for non-members, after March 15 — $495 for members/ $585 for non-members
Register: Online at historictheatres.org

Full Venue List:

WEDNESDAY JUNE 25
Oaks Theater, Oakmont
Casino Theatre, Vandergrift
Palace Theatre, Greensburg
Geyer Theatre, Scottdale
Edwin S. Porter Theatre, Connellsville
State Theatre, Uniontown
Carnegie Music Hall, HomesteadTHURSDAY JUNE 26
Strand Theatre, Zelienople
Guthrie Theatre, Grove City
Academy of Music, Meadville
Warner Theatre, Erie
Granada Theatre, Pittsburgh (*tentative)

FRIDAY JUNE 27
Nickelodeon Marker at Smithfield Street
Byham Theatre, Pittsburgh
Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh
Benedum Center, Pittsburgh
O’Reilly Theatre, Pittsburgh
August Wilson Theatre, Pittsburgh
Harris Art Cinema, Pittsburgh
Warner Center (Formerly the Warner Theatre), Pittsburgh

SATURDAY JUNE 28
Kelly-Strayhorn Theatre, East Liberty
McGonigle Theatre at Central Catholic High School, Oakland
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, Oakland
Stephen Foster Theatre, Oakland
Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland
Carnegie Music Hall, Carnegie
Hollywood Theater, Dormont
Garden Theatre (façade), 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 http://www.historictheatres.org/events/conclave/2014-conclave-theatre-tour/ .

ABOUT THE COLLECTIONS AND THE WILLIS & SHIRLEY AND CLASSIC CINEMAS RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER: Visitors to the Willis & Shirley Johnson and Classic Cinemas Research & Education Center at the Theatre Historical Society of America have the opportunity to explore in the greatest theatre architecture-related archive of its kind, the American Theatre Architecture Archive (ATAA). The collections housed in the ATAA contain information on over 16,000 theatres (both domestic and international) and span nearly every style and period of theatre architecture. Composed of photographs, negatives, slides, postcards, artists’ renderings, scrapbooks, books, periodicals, business records, blueprints and architectural drawings, supplier and trade catalogs, architectural artifacts, theatre furnishings, ushers’ uniforms, and numerous other items, the collections exist to document and preserve the cultural and social history of America’s theatre buildings. Find out more and explore our collections online at historictheatres.org.

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 ext. 302 or janine.pixley@historictheatres.org

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