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How To Get Involved In Pittsburgh's Theater Community

Over the past two decades, theater has developed in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has been a driving force in this development and has led an urban revitalization through the arts. With the development of 12 venues for performances, an outlet has been created to generate community involvement and celebrate the arts through the theater. Although the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has a large presence, many theater communities exist in the city through which locals can get involved. Here are five ways to get involved in Pittsburgh's theater community.

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
803 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 471-6070
www.trustarts.org/connect/volunteering

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a not-for-profit charity organization. Anyone can get involved by completing a volunteer or internship application on the website or donate to the trust to support the visual and performing arts, free festivals and education programs.  Volunteers may participate in ushering, festival support, administrative staff support services, reception desk, marketing, public relations, education and fundraising. Volunteers learn about the inner workings of the theater, programs and community involvement.

Related: Best Places In Pittsburgh To Shop For Wedding Gifts

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
600 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 392-4900
www.pittsburghsymphony.org

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra provides a musical experience, offers three programs in which to get involved and accepts donations. The New Leadership Board offers an opportunity to support education programming and audience development. The fee for involvement in this program is $50. The Pittsburgh Symphony Association supports financial, educational and promotional activities offered at an annual fee of $60 for individuals and $75 for families. The Friends of the PSO allows members to engage with other music enthusiasts and get a closer look at the symphony through in-depth lectures and special events for $50 a person or $90 for a couple.

Kelly Strayhorn Theater
5941 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 363-3000
www.kelly-strayhorn.org

The Kelly Strayhorn Theater is named for dancer Gene Kelly and composer Billy Strayhorn and is contributing to the renaissance of East Liberty through dance, music, theater and live art. A person can get involved in classes and workshops, volunteer activities or donating. Volunteer opportunities are available for before, during and after performances through completing an online application via the website. Volunteers get to see the performances for free. Donations are available for the Renaissance Fund, Strayhorn Legacy Fund and World Stage Fund.

New Hazlett Theater Center for the Performing Arts
6 Allegheny Square E.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 320-4610
www.newhazletttheater.org

The New Hazlett Theater has a mission to cultivate the arts and provide a venue for world class cultural events. It takes the time to make technology, logistics, personnel and money come together for the artist. Volunteer, donate or be an artist to get involved in this theater. The Northside Theater can participate in volunteer opportunities through completing a form found on the website. The Richard King Mellon Foundation will match each new donation 100 percent.

City Theater Company
1300 Bingham St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412) 431-2489
www.citytheatrecompany.org

The City Theater specializes in new play development and opened in 1975 as the City Players. The ways to get involved in the City Theater are through volunteering, internships or donating. Volunteer opportunities include ushering, administrative duties and occasionally festivals. Internship programs are offered for the summer or season and allow a closer look at the structure and operation of the nonprofit theater.

Related: Best Places To Get Your Classical Music Fix In The Pittsburgh Area 

Diane Straka is a freelance writer whose work can be found on http://www.examiner.com/finance-in-pittsburgh/diane-straka

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