New name revealed for combined Pittsburgh theater company
The Confluence Theater of Pittsburgh is the name that has been chosen for the theater company that brings together the Pittsburgh CLO and Pittsburgh Public Theater.
The new name was announced Monday.
“Pittsburgh is a city built by people who make things, innovate, and reimagine what’s possible,” said Dr. Brett Ashley Crawford, interim president and executive producer for the company. “Confluence Theater of
Pittsburgh honors that spirit, bringing together artists, audiences, and educators to create a theater company that can grow with this city for generations to come.”
Confluence Theater of Pittsburgh brings two distinct theatrical traditions together into one company: the musicals that have defined Pittsburgh CLO’s legacy, and the classics and contemporary plays that have been produced by Pittsburgh Public Theater.
A news release stated that by “pooling audiences, staff, strategies, and expertise, Pittsburgh CLO and Pittsburgh Public Theater will be better able to sustain operations without sacrificing theatrical excellence.”
More than 3,000 submissions were put forth in a naming poll launched at the end of July.
“The idea of confluence is deeply artistic,” said Kyle Haden, the company’s interim artistic director. “When different voices, traditions, and audiences meet, something new becomes possible. Confluence creates a
space where Pittsburgh Public Theater audiences, Pittsburgh CLO audiences, and new generations of theatergoers can discover a shared future shaped by rich artistic experiences.”
The search for a permanent president and executive producer is underway.
The first production by Confluence will be “How Shakespeare Saved My Life,” at the O’Reilly Theater starting Nov. 11.
More information on Confluence Theater can be found at confluencetheater.org.