Approach to Acting Development Workshop

Media Contact: Melissa Hill Grande

Director of Marketing and Artistic Associate

412.561.6000 x203

mgrande@picttheatre.org

http://www.picttheatre.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE





PICT offers professional development opportunity

Simon Bradbury brings expertise to share with Pittsburgh-area actors





Pittsburgh, PA – May 21, 2009. Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Theatre Arts, presents a professional development opportunity for actors in the Pittsburgh area to connect their voice to physicality, improve facility with classical texts and release their inner clown!



“Language of the Soul: A Physical Approach to Acting” will be held June 15 to 19, 2009 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. The intensive, five-day professional development workshop will prepare the student for physical expression of character and motivation under the guidance of master actor Simon Bradbury. Cost for the workshop is $200.



Participants will develop their ability with physical expression of character and motivation in a series of five, four-hour sessions. Exercises and games will be used to examine a variety of physical techniques, including Delsarte, clowning, Laban and Method. Scenes from Moliere’s Tartuffe will be used to explore use of these techniques in scenework and character expression. Participants should be prepared for intensive physical work on their feet. Early registration is urged, as enrollment is strictly limited to fourteen participants.



Simon Bradbury was born in Manchester, England, and has over 30 years of professional experience. His credits include sixteen seasons as a company member with Canada’s Shaw Festival and four seasons with The Stratford Shakespeare Festival. His one-man show, The Trial of Charles Spencer Chaplin, Esq., has been performed at the Shaw Festival, in Vancouver, and as part of the PICT 2005 season.



To register for the workshop, or for more information, contact Melissa Hill Grande at 412.561.6000 x203 or email mgrande@picttheatre.org.



The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre was founded in 1996 to diversify the region’s theatrical offerings by providing Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania audiences with high-quality, text-driven, affordable productions of classical theatre and the works of classical and contemporary Irish playwrights and to significantly improve employment opportunities for local talent in all facets of theatrical presentation and production. PICT is a Small Professional Theatre (SPT) affiliated with Actors’ Equity Association, and a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG) and the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Alliance. PICT is the Professional Theatre in Residence at the University of Pittsburgh and PICT productions at the Charity Randall and Henry Heymann Theatres are presented in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh – Department of Theatre Arts.





Melissa Hill Grande

Director of Marketing and Artistic Associate

Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre

PO Box 23607

Pittsburgh, PA 15222



mgrande@picttheatre.org

412.561.6000 x203

Live Jazz Returns to Katz Plaza

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Veronica Corpuz, (412) 471-6082 / corpuz@pgharts.org


The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's JazzLive series returns to Katz Plaza


PITTSBURGH: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Education and Community Engagement Department presents JazzLive in Agnes R. Katz Plaza every Tuesday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. In case of inclement weather, JazzLive will move indoors to the Cabaret at Theater Square. This series is proudly presented with the generous support of BNY Mellon. The media sponsors of JazzLive are WDUQ 90.5 FM and the New Pittsburgh Courier.

Vice President, Janis Burley Wilson, says, "Jazz is alive and thriving in Pittsburgh's Cultural District, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is proud to present this highly anticipated weekly event in the beautiful setting of Katz Plaza."

For more information, please visit http://www.pgharts.org or call 412-456-6666.

JAZZLIVE SUMMER EVENTS 2009:

Date Agnes R. Katz Plaza 5:00-7:00pm
June 9 Robbie Klein
June 16 Kevin Howard
June 23 Salsamba
June 30 Dwayne Dolphin
July 7 Sweaty Betty Blues Band
July 14 Murray Avenue Jazz Initiative
July 21 Tony Campbell
July 28 Al Dowe and Etta Cox
August 4 Tim Stevens and Friends
August 11 Jevon Rushton Group
August 18 Don Aliquo Sr. & Don Aliquo Jr.
August 25 Kenia
September 1 Gerald Haymon
September 8 JazzLive Jam Session with Roger Humphries

Program is subject to change. For an up-to-date listing of events: www.pgharts.org

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National Recreation TRails in Southwestern Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 20009 CONTACT: Megan O’Malley


Secretary Salazar Announces Designation of
6 New National Recreation Trails in Southwestern Pennsylvania



Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently designated 22 trails in 13 states as newly recognized National Recreation Trails, adding more than 525 miles of trails to the National Trails System. Included in this designation are 6 trails in southwestern Pennsylvania.

"From coast to coast, the National Trails System helps connect American families with the wonders of the outdoors," said Salazar. "These new National Recreation Trails, built through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, will create new opportunities for fitness and stewardship, while creating a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren."

This announcement is timed to coincide with the 17th annual celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6, 2009. The theme for this year, “Take In the Outdoors,” encourages people of all ages to get outside and use trails for exercise and exploration. Thousands of trail enthusiasts will participate in hikes, educational programs, bike rides, volunteer repair projects, festivals, paddle trips, and trail dedications across the country.

All of the southwestern Pennsylvania trails now included in this designation encourage people to learn about area history as well. These trails were all a part of the Harrisburg Main Line Canal system, a vital transportation route westward during the mid-19th century. To encourage people to explore local history, enjoy the outdoors and get exercise, the staff of Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site will be leading interpretive hikes and bicycle rides along several of these trails including the 6 to 10 Trail, the Lower Trail, the Path of the Flood Trail and the West Penn Trail this summer and fall.


Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway - 6 to 10 Trail – This 7.75-mile trail follow the remnants of the Allegheny Portage Railroad, an engineering landmark that lifted canal boats over the Allegheny Mountains in the mid-1800’s. Staff from Allegheny Portage Railroad will lead hikes along the 6 to 10 Trail on June 14 and August 23.

Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway - Juniata River Water Trail – For 184 miles this water trail parallels the route of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal which operated primarily in the 1830’s through 1850’s.

Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway - Lower Trail – The 16.5 mile multi-use Lower (rhymes with “flower”) Trail features many historic canal era remnants with interpretive signs telling the history of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal. It is the center link in the Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway. On June 28 join a park ranger from Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site for a bicycle ride along the Lower Trail in Williamsburg. Park rangers will lead a bicycle ride along the Lower Trail in Alfarata on September 6.

Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway - Path of the Flood Trail – This 6.5 mile trail follows the path of the Great Johnstown Flood of 1889. For part of its length, the trail joins the 2.5-mile Staple Bend Tunnel Trail which follows the remnants of the Allegheny Portage Railroad to the first railroad tunnel built in the U.S., the 901-foot long Staple Bend Tunnel. On July 12 and August 9 park rangers from Allegheny Portage Railroad will provide transportation to Staple Bend Tunnel for people who need assistance. On October 4 park rangers will lead a hike along the Path of the Flood Trail and the Staple Bend Tunnel.

Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway - Roaring Run Trail – Following the Western Division of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal along the Kiskiminetas River, this 4-mile trail is rich in historic transportation themes and recreational opportunities.

Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway - West Penn Trail – The 12-mile West Penn Trail offers many scenic, natural and historic assets, including 100-year old stone arch railroad bridges and parts of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal. Forty interpretive signs enrich this trail experience. Learn more about the West Penn Trail on a bicycle ride with a park ranger on September 20.

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site is located 10 miles west of Altoona, Pennsylvania off the Gallitzin exit of U.S. Highway 22. The park preserves portions of the first railroad crossing of the Allegheny Mountains. This unique railroad connected the eastern and western divisions of the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal.

All hikes and bicycle rides listed above are free, but reservations are required. For more information and to make reservations for the program contact Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site at 814-886-6150 or visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/alpo.


For more information about National Recreation Trails visit http://www.americanhiking.org.