The board chairs of Pittsburgh CLO and Pittsburgh Public Theater have shared with subscribers a proposed plan for the creation of “a new, consolidated producing theater company, designed to anchor a broader destination theater experience in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.”
In a letter (see below) to “Dear Community,” sent on Monday, March 9, 2026, the exploration of shared resources may culminate in “not a merger, but the launch of something entirely new and exciting, built for Pittsburghers, by Pittsburghers.”
Both boards are set to vote on the plan later this month, said a spokesperson for Resilere Partners. “If it passes, they’ll hit the ground running with a new leadership structure and artistic vision, aiming for a formal launch as early as this fall.”
In January of 2026, City Theatre dropped out of consolidation talks and released a letter saying that, “After more than a year of careful exploration — grounded in data and informed by national best practices and input from all stakeholder groups … City Theatre chose to remain as an independent organization.”
However, it was said, there remains “significant enthusiasm” among the respective board chairs of Pittsburgh CLO and Pittsburgh Public Theater “about the possibility of a two-way merger.”
The letter sent by board chairs Joseph V. DiVito Jr., Pittsburgh Public Theater, and Krysia M. Kubiak, Pittsburgh CLO, reads as follows:
Dear Community,
Over the last few weeks, the leadership of Pittsburgh CLO and Pittsburgh Public Theater has been actively shaping a new path forward — not a merger, but the launch of something entirely new and exciting, built for Pittsburghers, by Pittsburghers.
In alignment with the city’s broader downtown revitalization plan, our goal is to build a true destination theater experience—anchored in our Cultural District—that blends the strengths of both organizations to create a bolder, broader future for the arts in our region. From cutting-edge contemporary plays to large-scale family musicals, we aim to create a differentiated theater model where we produce theater for everyone—both long-time patrons as well as new audiences, with shows to interest all ages and outlooks.
Our respective Boards will take the first step toward achieving that ambition when they vote later this month on a proposal to create a consolidated producing theater company. If approved, the decision will kick-off the formal integration process, including naming a transition team; forming a new operating entity and organizational structure; establishing an interim board, leadership team and name; and finalizing the artistic / programming vision, among other elements. In the meantime, we are putting the wheels in motion with optimism, with hopes of bringing our new vision to life on an accelerated timetable.
While the path forward will be determined by our Boards and our ability to secure the necessary financial support, we’re inspired by how our vision is taking shape and energized by the enthusiasm we have seen. Ideally, by this Fall, we’ll be able to formally introduce the new entity alongside the announcement of our inaugural season.
Pittsburgh CLO and Pittsburgh Public Theater already share similar audiences, aligned programming and a common artistic mission. Building on those key factors, we envision continuing to produce plays and musicals throughout downtown with a focus on choosing theatres that best fit each show, both creatively and financially. Our plans also would include expanding educational programs, beginning with the integration of CLO Academy’s star making power with the Public Theater’s Shakespearean traditions to give young artists more ways to master their craft and shine onstage. That’s just a small snapshot of what will be possible if we commit to investing in the live storytelling that has been the hallmark of our theater companies and work to forge an extraordinary and sustainable future together.
The strength of this effort will come from the vibrant community that supports us, from patrons and audiences to leaders and artists—and from the shared commitment to help our arts community thrive. The stage is set and we look forward to sharing more details following the Board vote. As Board chairs, we’re all in and we hope you’ll be right there with us.
Categories: Company, Feature Stories, Our Posts, Venue
A consolidation plan sounds like a big move for the theaters. Do you think it will affect the local arts scene much?