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Mission
Pittsburgh Musical Theater is a non-profit professional company whose mission is to provide quality musical theater at affordable prices, support the education of youth, and develop and employ local talent.
Key Facts
Geographic areas served:
Allegheny,Beaver,Butler,Mercer,Washington,Greene
Target demographics:
Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s mission statement provides the basis for its artistic vision. PMT is committed to providing quality musical theater at an affordable price, to educating youth, and to developing and promoting local talent. Thus, artistic decisions are made with PMT’s student and audience demographics in mind. Our goal is to combine local seasoned professionals and career-oriented younger artists to produce quality musicals. Accessible materials with compelling themes that play well to our middle and working class audiences are a driving force. As well, musicals that provide opportunities for our high school and college age students, and musicals that support educational goals in the public schools demand attention. Overall, we see artistic value in leveraging what is best in our professional company to support our educational programs. Maintaining a pricing point that allows all citizens to experience the joy of a musical performed in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District continues to inspire our vision.
Results to date:
PMT considers the youth of our organization to be our most valuable asset. Placing their education at the center of our programming has enabled a philosophy of “continuity of training that is tested regularly in performance’” to gain traction. This philosophy has proved effective in producing disciplined, prepared individuals. A small staff with a strong commitment to our mission provides a foundation of focus and flexibility. This allows PMT to meet challenges with an eye for quick action to adapt. PMT is considered the home away from home by most of our students and graduates. Because of our small size there has been a ‘family’ feel to our culture, where young talent is nurtured and graduates return regularly to act, direct, and teach.
Seeing 1200 students completely focused on a live theatrical production and cheering at its conclusion confirms our mission. This happens regularly over the course of the season. Watching our young talent mature into seasoned performers ready to excel in either higher education or the professional world is a measure of PMT’s success. Knowing that the majority of our students will apply the discipline, heart, and knowledge they have gained through their association with PMT to a wide range of professions validates the basic PMT process as a builder of good citizens. Seeing dozens of our graduates from the 90s building careers on Broadway, film, and TV validates PMT’s musical theater education as a promoter of the next generation of theatrical artists. Seeing grandparents with their grandchildren and large families attending a cultural activity on a regular basis validates PMT’s mission to provide high quality, affordable musical theater to the Pittsburgh community.
Direct beneficiaries per year: Our Students and Local Professionals we employee
Indirect beneficiaries per year: Our audiences
Obstacles:
Our lack of a permanent home remains a concern, as do the limitations of our studio space. Because PMT is a grass roots company, the absence of an endowment and high-income individual donors places a considerable burden on our earned income line. This burden makes PMT vulnerable to weather and economic downturns. Therefore, meeting the challenges of adequate space for our growing student population and establishing a cash reserve/endowment supported by individual donors are the two primary goals for the next several years. The sinking real estate values have opened a door for the purchase of our current facility that will allow us to expand to the first floor. The Board has approved an intent to purchase document that allows for an opportunity to assess the building using due diligence for the next 6 months, with the right of first refusal. As well, creative funding opportunities are being researched along with sustainability projections. Within a year, we should have a plan for either a long-term affordable lease or purchase with modest renovations. By the second year, PMT should have occupied the first floor of the James Centre. This includes a 400 seat theatre that has been used as a banquet hall.
With 3 hours a volunteer can:
Support our conservatory
What your donation will allow us to do:
PMT’s mission to provide high quality, affordable musical theater to the Pittsburgh community.
Your donation of $50.00 enables us to:
Support or Student Matinee Program
Your donation of $100.00 enables us to:
Provide affordable Musical Theater to the Pittsburgh Community.
Your donation of $1000.00 enables us to:
Allow for our continued growth and stability.
Board Members and Affiliation:
Dick Roberts - President
Shahid Malik - Vice President
Paul E. McGill - Secretary
Joseph F. Mendel - Treasurer
Sandra M. Blaser, Rich Cefalo,
Cheryl Cherubino-Begandy, Ken Gargaro,
Ph.D., Robert Kaiser, David J. Martin,
Joseph F. Mendel, Gregg Perelman,
Ron Skalski, Bruce E.G. Smith, Ronald A. Sugar,
MBA, Esq., Sherri Uram, Laura Connor Zajdel,
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Jeffrey Becker, Mary Gail Biebel,
Stephen Black, Jon Burnett, R. Yvonne Campos,
Bonita A. Cersosimo, Kim B. Chrisman,
Carrie Coghill, Dr. Rex Crawley, Bruce I. Crocker,
David B. Gookin, Evan Frasier, Jennifer K. Janke,
Hilda Pang Fu, Richard E. Rauh,
Dorothy H. Rescher, Douglas Shields,
Fred Sukitsch, Mike Thorsen
Past and Current Funders:
Foundation Support
PMT thanks the following foundations, grants, and companies for their generous support of our mission:
Allegheny Regional Asset District
The Buhl Foundation
PPG Industries Foundation
HighMark Foundation
Howard and Nell E. Miller Foundation
United States Steel
Grable Foundation
Heinz Endowments
Patterson Foundation
Howard and Nell E Miller Fund
Mine Safety Appliance
Richard E. Rauh
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Pennsylvania Council for the Arts
Hot Topic
M.A.C. Foundation
Comcast
Clearview Federal Credit Union
Giant Eagle
PNC Charitable Foundation
Key Staff
Dr. Ken Gargaro- Founding Director
Colleen Petrucci-Conservatory Director/General Manger
Patricia Knapp-Development and Marketing
Jim Ryan-Resident Musical Director
Jon Sage-Technical Director
Jen James -Resident Stage Manger