The Chief is coming to the Pittsburgh Playhouse for the 2025-2026 Playhouse Presents season. The popular solo play about Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr. returns Downtown to kick off 2026 at the Point Park University performance center.

Also next year, the Playhouse once again will present the Arts Accelerator experience ASCEND, an immersive production that “explores the four ancient elements of earth, air, water and fire through stunning projections, evocative music, mesmerizing dance and the gravity defying artistry of aerialists.” 

“For 90 remarkable years, the Pittsburgh Playhouse has stood at the heart of Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts and entertainment community and has served as a home for artists, a stage for storytellers and a gathering place for audiences of all ages,” said Kiesha Lalama, executive producer of the Pittsburgh Playhouse and interim dean of the School of Theatre, Film and Animation. “This season, we proudly celebrate that legacy while setting our sights on the future, uniting the past, present and next generation of Pittsburgh’s creative family.”

2025-2026 PITTSBURGH PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS

• Sidra Bell Dance New York, October 17, 2025, including Point Park University dance students and alumni in a special collaboration.
• Winter Music Series: Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday Concert. Friday, December 19, 2025; the return of Christmas Live with Joe Serafini & Friends, December 20, 2025; and Mario Williams Band, January 10, 2026.
• The Chief, February 4-8, 2026: The bioplay written by Rob Zellers and Gene Collier was launched by Pittsburgh Public Theater in 2003. (Performer TBA.)
• ASCEND, May 7-31, 2026.

The Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts 2025-2026 season (descriptions via Point Park) coming to the Pittsburgh Playhouse and George Rowland White Performance Center:

2025-2026 POINT PARK UNIVERSITY COPA THEATRE

• Lysistrata: A Woman’s Translation by Drue Robinson, October 9 – 19, 2025. Rebellion with wit and humor – all to end the Peloponnesian War
• Urinetown, the Musical, music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann, book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis, November 12 – 16, 2025. A comedic tale of corruption, revolution and the world’s most expensive bathroom breaks
• Love and Information by Caryl Churchill, December 3 – 7, 2025. What happens when love and knowledge collide?
• Forbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, created and written by Gerard Alessandrini. March 4 – 8, 2026. All the drama of Broadway none of the royalties!
• Our Town by Thornton Wilder, April 8 – 12, 2026. A timeless portrait of life’s simple moments.
• Little Shop of Horrors, book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken. Based on the film by Roger Corman, screenplay by Charles Griffith, April 29 – May 3, 2026. Love. Greed. A man-eating plant. What could go wrong?

2025-2026 POINT PARK UNIVERSITY COPA DANCE

• Fall Dance Concert, October 8 – 12, 2025. Featuring works by Jae Man Joo (Ballet), Martha Graham (Modern), Sidra Bell (Contemporary), and Anthony Thomas (Hip Hop/Jazz Funk).
• Fall Repertory Concert, October 22 – 26, 2025. A performance showcase courtesy of the Conservatory Dance program.
• Contemporary Choreographers, December 10 – 14, 2025. Works by choreographers such as Norbert De La Cruz (Modern), Beverly Bautista (Jazz), Durante Verzola (Ballet), guest artists from Springboard Danse guest (Contemporary), and Point Park University’s Hip Hop artist in residence.
• Winter Dance Concert, February 25 – March 1, 2026. Showcasing work by Al Blackstone (Jazz), Roderick George (Contemporary), Dwight Rhoden (Ballet), and Kenichi Kasamatsu (Hip Hop).
• Spring Repertory Concert, March 18 – 22, 2026. New choreographers design the show, and new dancers take the stage.
• Spring Dance Concert, April 29 – May 3, 2026. This annual concert spotlights the Point Park School of Dance Faculty, as well as the artistry of renowned guests.

PITTSBURGH PLAYHOUSE COMMUNITY FEATURES

• Fall Fest 2025, including Boos Halloween House Party, October 16 – 26, 2025: Food and drinks, games, local vendors, arts & crafts and rolling performances of family-friendly Boo’s Halloween House Party by Ahmad Simmons and Lazlo Graves. Activities can be found throughout the Playhouse and on Forbes Avenue.
• ARTfully/UPlifting, March 22, 2026: A sensory friendly performance specifically designed and created for neurodivergent individuals with sensory processing difficulties, sensory needs, and disabilities. 
• Newsapalooza Headliners (TBA), September 24 and December 10, 2025: Playhouse patrons are welcomed to conversations with Pittsburgh’s “thought leaders,” across various industries. Presented in collaboration with the Point Park University’s Center for Media Innovation.

Tickets and details: Visit https://playhouse.pointpark.edu/shows-events/subscribe/index

Categories: Our Posts, Season Listings, Show Previews

Tags: 2025-2026 season, Community Events, Conservatory Dance, Conservatory Theatre, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Point Park University, The Chief