Kelly-Strayhorn Theater

Kelly-Strayhorn Theater
Regent Theater
Address 5941 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
United States
Capacity 350
Current use Performing arts center
Construction
Opened 1914
Architect Harry S. Bair
Website
Kelly-Strayhorn.org
The front of the Kelly Strayhorn Theater on Penn Avenue

Kelly Strayhorn Theater is a performing arts center located at 5941 Penn Avenue in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[1] Named in honor of Pittsburgh natives Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn the theater is a professionally equipped, multiple-use complex with 350 seats.

Kelly-Strayhorn also does community outreach through its Alloy School, artSEEDS Student Matinees, and several artist residency programs. The theater works towards artistic, cultural and educational activities. It also offers it space for rent to choice "exciting and unusual events".[2][3]

History

The name Regent still appears at the entrance to the theater.

The Kelly Strayhorn Theater originally opened in 1914 as the 1,100 seat Regent Theatre, a silent film movie house. Designed by architect Harry S. Bair, it featured a grand theater organ that provided live music to the films. The theater was closed by the 1950s but had a grand reopening as an 850-seat theater on July 18, 1965 following a $175,000 renovation under Ernest Stern's Associated Theaters.[4]

In October 1979, the Regent again closed. By 2000 reopening plans were underway and the theater was named in honor of Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn. The current theater was opened in 2002 complete with a commemorative “Walk of Stars” recognizing artists, friends, fans, and family members of the renewed theater at its entrance.[5] The theater started original programming in 2008 and merged with Dance Alloy in the nearby Friendship neighborhood in the fall of 2011.[6]

See also

Theatre in Pittsburgh

References

  1. ↑ http://kelly-strayhorn.org/contact/
  2. ↑ http://kelly-strayhorn.org/about/overview/
  3. ↑ http://www.popcitymedia.com/features/kellystrayhorn.aspx
  4. ↑ http://kelly-strayhorn.org/about/history/
  5. ↑ http://kelly-strayhorn.org/about/history/
  6. ↑ http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/breaking/dance-alloy-kelly-strayhorn-theaters-to-merge-319730/
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