With news about Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Theater Factory on the move, new show announcements by barebones and Kinetic theaters, Cre8Dance 2026, a cancellation by Pittsburgh Playwrights, and more.

🎭 ICYMI:

• Interview: Q&A With City Theatre’s ‘Hedwig’ Star, Treasure Treasure
• Guest Essay: August Wilson’s ‘Jitney’ Comes Home to the Hill — In Italian
• Reviews: ‘Dial M For Murder’ at Little Lake, ‘Speak’ at Prime Stage, ‘A Conversation’ in Progress with LaTrea Derome’ at KST, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ at PMT
• Awards Season: Full List of 2026 Gene Kelly Award Nominees, Stephen Flaherty’s ‘Ragtime’ and Carnegie Mellon Alums Feature Prominently Among 2026 Tony Award Nominees
• Festival: Full Lineup Unveiled for Three Rivers Arts Festival at Arts Landing

A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM ARRIVES AT THE BENEDUM

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre closes its season with A Midsummer Night’s Dream May 15–17 at the Benedum Center, featuring the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh.

Based on William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, the ballet follows the quarrels and reconciliations of Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of the fairies, while two mortal couples find themselves tangled in romance and confusion under the mischievous influence of Puck.

Choreographed by Ben Stevenson, OBE, and set to Felix Mendelssohn’s vibrant and instantly recognizable score, this full-scale production combines classical ballet, live music, and choral performance to bring Shakespeare’s magical world to life.

🎟️ Tickets at: https://pbt.culturaldistrict.org/production/99183/a-midsummer-nights-dream

THEATRE FACTORY LEAVING TRAFFORD FOR NEW KENSINGTON ARTS HUB

The Valley News Dispatch has reported that the Theatre Factory in Trafford will move into a New Kensington-based arts hub at the end of the summer, while adding that a move is afoot to maintain a company at Cavitt Avenue, home of the Theatre Factory for 30 years. 

On its website, the Theatre Factory heralds, “A new stage. A new home. A new chapter.”

“Theatre Factory leadership decided last fall it would accept an offer to become the resident theater company for Aluminum City Arts — a collection of art-­related organizations housed in a former Alcoa building along Freeport Road,” the Dispatch reported, adding that the first performance is planned for December.

The article also revealed that a group of 10 former Theatre Factory volunteers aim to keep nonprofit theater alive at the intimate venue. Read more here.

The upcoming show in Trafford is appropriately titled The Fabulous Fable Factory, described as “a lively, kid-friendly musical about a curious young person who stumbles into a magical factory run by Aesop, where stories are created.” Running May 8-9 and 15-17, 2026. Tickets and details: https://www.thetheatrefactory.org/.

BAREBONES, KINETIC BRING MORE HEAT TO SUMMER LINEUP

Patrick Jordan’s barebones productions and Andrew Paul’s Kinetic Theatre Andrew Paul recently added upcoming shows to an expansive summer lineup, starting in June with Our Dear Dead Drug Lord by Alexis Scheer, at barebones’ Braddock Black Box. The tagline: Teenage girls are told to behave. These girls summon a dead drug lord instead. “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord is a ferocious, darkly funny play about power, friendship, and what happens when girls stop asking permission.” The show runs June 12-28, 2026. Tickets and details: https://www.barebonesproductions.com/druglord.

Kinetic Theatre is back at Carnegie Stage in July and August, starting with David Mamet’s Henry Johnson. The Kinetic production, just the third since the play premiered in 2023, boasts a cast including Cotter Smith, David Whalen, John Steffenauer, and the local return of David Butler, who was named the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Performer of the Year for the 1993-94 season. Paul said the production will be dedicated to actor Matt DeCaro, who died suddenly last week, and was to have appeared in the production. Henry Johnson runs July 9-26, 2026. On August 6-30, 2026, Kinetic follows with Mark Shanahan’s new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, and another starry local cast. Tickets and details upcoming at https://www.kinetictheatre.org/

CMU BESTOWS HONORARY DOCTORATE TO PRODUCER JAMIE deROY

Pittsburgh native Jamie deRoy, who has garnered 15 Tony Awards as a Broadway producer, will receive an honorary degree as Doctor of Fine Arts from her alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University.

Her numerous credits also include acclaimed cabaret producer, performer and arts advocate. Over the course of her career, she has co-produced more than 170 Broadway and off-Broadway productions and earned numerous Drama Desk, Drama League and other industry honors.

Her productions have included works such as Angels in America, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and The Ferryman, plus a handful of Tony nominations for 2026 Tony Awards.

PITTSBURGH’S CHOREOGRAPHIC COMPETITION RETURNS MAY 9

Cre8Dance 2026 returns to Point Park University’s GRW Performance Studio on Saturday, May 9, bringing together 10 finalist choreographers and dancers from across the country for an evening of original contemporary dance works.

A distinguished panel of adjudicators will award $19,000 in prizes, including a $10,000 First Prize and a $5,000 Second Prize. Audience members will also have the opportunity to vote for the Audience Choice Prize.

Before the performance, attendees can take part in a free pre-show Judges Panel Talk from 6:30–7 pm, offering insight into choreography, the creative process, and how new works are evaluated in competition.

Cre8Dance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to discovering and supporting exceptional choreographic talent. The organization works to provide emerging choreographers with resources and opportunities to develop their artistic voices through unique showcases that enrich both artists and audiences.

🎟️ Tickets at: https://playhouse.culturaldistrict.org/production/106865/cre8dance Due to limited seating, advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended.

‘10,000 RIDES’ CANCELLED AT PITTSBURGH PLAYWRIGHTS

Cancellation: The previously announced premiere of 10,000 Rides by Cynthia Dallas, which was to open June 6, 2026, at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company has been cancelled “due to circumstances beyond our control.” Subscribers have been contacted with options including tickets to other shows and refunds.

🎟️  Reminder: The discount ticket initiative Go See a Show! is ongoing, with 18 performing arts companies and Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama participating. Find tickets at https://www.goseeashowpgh.com/, and read all about What’s Happening on local stages at onStage Pittsburgh.

👉 Don’t forget — you can always explore the next two months of performances, organized by date or company, at onStage Pittsburgh.

👉 Did we miss your show? Send us your updates at info@onstagepittsburgh.com so we can share them in Listings and a future Call Board.

Categories: Arts and Ideas