PICT Announces Re-branding as PICT Classic Theatre

PICT announces a new brand – PICT Classic Theatre –

and new faces to build a stronger organization and secure its future

Focusing PICT’s mission and place in Pittsburgh’s theatre community

Pittsburgh, PA – May 7, 2014. Aiming to broaden awareness and appeal of its market brand, the Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre will move forward under the name PICT Classic Theatre.  Established in 1996, PICT Classic Theatre is the third largest theatre company in the Pittsburgh region.

Known informally as PICT for years, the company has adapted its name to help eliminate confusion about the company's mission. "In the past, people who have heard the word "Irish" in the name have made incorrect assumptions that we only present Irish theatre, and the full name was certainly quite a mouthful," notes Artistic and Executive Director Alan Stanford. He further explains that "PICT is no longer an acronym but a name in its own right, and even provides a nod to our love of the Irish, their writing which has influenced the world of theatre, and their ancient ancestors the Picts. The new logo pays homage to our original mark, which used a Celtic script; this logo takes those Celtic characters and makes them more substantial and modern. We believe it more accurately expresses the nature of the company – more substantial, more relevant, and more classic.”

This season's shows include classics such as Macbeth, Waiting for Godot, Great Expectations, and Blithe Spirit (now showing), as well as soon-to-be classics from modern Irish playwrights Marina Carr and Frank McGuinness.

In addition to creating a more solid and noteworthy brand identity, PICT is strengthening its business structure by welcoming new board and staff members. PICT is pleased to announce seven new Board members:  Chuck Reynolds, Digital Strategist at Deloitte Digital; Erin Shannon-Auel, Director of Strategic Programs at Highmark; Steve Cuden, Assistant Professor of Screenwriting at Point Park University; Gail Gerono, Vice President of Investor Relations at Global Comm. Calgon Carbon Corporation; Eileen Clancy, Retired, Human Resources, Traco and Lamson & Sessions; Diane Lazzaris, General Counsel for Wesco International and Pauline Taylor-Raiff, Practice Director of Genesis Medical Associates.  

PICT co-founder Stephanie Riso, who has taken the position of Managing Director, announced that several new staff members have recently joined PICT Classic Theatre: Carolyn Ludwig, Customer Relations Director & Sales Manager;  Katheryn Wagner, Operations Assistant; Ryan Ferrebee, Development Manager; Jennifer Trehar, Fundraising and Events Manager; and George DeShetler, Jr.,  Production Manager and IT Lead.

To begin the year, PICT Classic Theatre launched a new event that met with resounding success, an evening of legal theatrics called PICT's UnCommon Pleas.  Over 160 people heard advocates argue the mock appeal of the murder convictions of Macbeth and his lady before a panel of 6 federal and state judges.

Another new initiative for PICT this year is the selection of two local actors, Karen Baum and James FitzGerald, as Featured Artists for the 2014 season. This program will allow audiences to see how the same actors adapt to very different roles. PICT hopes to make its Featured Artist selection a company tradition.

Board president Charles H. (Chuck) Moellenberg commented that PICT Classic Theatre is poised for growth and enthusiastic about its new initiatives.  "Under Alan's artistic direction, we will continue to look for ways to make live theatre more accessible and appealing to everyone."  Alan added that PICT is focused on its mission not only to attract a broad, diverse audience across every generation, but to educate children.  He noted, "The PICT Classic Theatre brand is another important step in the direction of introducing more people to the imagination and creativity of theatre in the Pittsburgh community.  The look is new, but the quality is classic."

The 2014 season of plays began with Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward on May 3, 2014 and continues with a total of six plays through December 20th, 2014. PICT offers specially-priced family 4-packs, as well as variety of education initiatives including student matinees and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretations. New this season, PICT is offering a 2pm Wednesday show time to help accommodate seniors and people with alternate work/school schedules. PICT recently became a Blue Star Theatre, offering special pricing for military personnel and their families.  For more information, visit picttheatre.org or call 412-561-6000..

PICT Classic Theatre (formerly known as Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre) is one of a handful of theatres in the U.S. still producing large cast, classical plays, preserving and promoting an important body of creative work. Operating on a budget of $1.2 million dollars, the company employs between 90-100 theatre artists, production technicians and artisans each year that participate in the production and presentation of classical theatre and the works of classical and contemporary Irish playwrights.  The organization believes classic theatre is relevant to modern life, bringing context and meaning to people’s lives, and is committed to a civic role through its education and outreach programs for seniors and young people, as well as enhancing the accessibility of its programming to reach diverse audiences.  PICT Classic Theatre is a Small Professional Theatre (SPT) affiliated with Actors’ Equity Association, a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG) and proud member of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. PICT Classic Theatre performs in The Charity Randall and Henry Heymann Theatres inside the Stephen Foster Memorial, 4301 Forbes Avenue, Oakland between the months of April through December.

PICT THEATRE’S 2014 SEASON QUICK FACT SHEET
Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward
Directed by Alan Stanford
The Charity Randall Theatre
May 1 – May 17, 2014
NEW THIS YEAR: WEDNESDAY 2PM MATINEE- May 14, 2014
(10 a.m. Student Matinee on Tuesday, May 13)
(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, May 17 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
Directed by Aoife Spillane-Hinks
The Charity Randall Theatre
June 4 – June 21, 2014
NEW THIS YEAR: WEDNESDAY 2PM MATINEE- June 18, 2014
(10 a.m. Student Matinee on Wednesday, June 4)
(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, June 21 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)

Woman and Scarecrow by Marina Carr
Directed by Alan Stanford
The Henry Heymann Theatre
July 10 – August 2, 2014
NEW THIS YEAR: WEDNESDAY 2PM MATINEE- July 30, 2014
(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, August 2 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)

Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme by Frank McGuinness
Directed by Matt Torney
The Charity Randall Theatre
September 4 – September 20, 2014
NEW THIS YEAR: WEDNESDAY 2PM MATINEE- September 17, 2014
(10 a.m. Student Matinee on Tuesday, September 16)
(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, September 20 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)

Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Directed by Alan Stanford
The Charity Randall Theatre
October 8 – 25, 2014
NEW THIS YEAR: WEDNESDAY 2PM MATINEE- October 22, 2014
(10 a.m. student matinees on Tuesday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 21)
(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, October 25 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (Adapted for the stage by Hugh Leonard)
Directed by Alan Stanford
The Charity Randall Theatre
December 3-20, 2014
NEW THIS YEAR: WEDNESDAY 2PM MATINEE- December 17, 2014
(10 a.m. student matinees on Tuesday, December 3 and Tuesday, December 16)
(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, December 20 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)


Michelle Belan
Marketing & Communications Director


mbelan@picttheatre.org
412-561-6000 ext. 203
picttheatre.org

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

UnCommon Pleas: An Evening of Legal Theatrical Entertainment

Contact: Michelle Belan

Marketing & Communications Director

412.561.6000 x203

mbelan@picttheatre.org

www.picttheatre.org

 

 

Guilty or Not Guilty? Macbeth Appeals His Conviction

PICT Theatre’s UnCommon Pleas: An Evening of Legal Theatrical Entertainment

Dennis Unkovic as Macbeth; Audrey Russo as Lady Macbeth

 

Pittsburgh, PA – February 25, 2014. Shakespeare’s most wicked couple, the Macbeths, will appeal their murder convictions in front of six noteworthy judges. Attorney Dennis Unkovic and Pittsburgh High Tech Council President Audrey Russo will play the devious pair at PICT’s UnCommon Pleas, a legal theatrical event co-sponsored by the Arts and Law Committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association. This uncommonly entertaining evening will take place at the Duquesne Club on March 27th, featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a three-course meal, and a most entertaining appellate argument.

 

The event is co-chaired by PICT Theatre’s board president Charles H. Moellenberg, Jr. (Jones Day) and his wife Karen Moellenberg, also an attorney, and Thomas G. Donahue (Dinsmore & Shohl LLP). On behalf of PICT Theatre, Chuck Moellenberg said, "PICT is thrilled to team with the ACBA to present an evening of legal theatrics, full of jest, surprises, and intrigue. We will set the stage for our panel of 6 federal and state judges to test the wit of our bar’s advocates and to determine the fate of Macbeth and his Lady.” PICT Artistic & Executive Director Alan Stanford has devised a script for the evening and will direct a noteworthy cast of legal minds. “PICT is producing Macbeth in October of this year, so it is the perfect time to whet the appetite for delicious wickedness that is Shakespeare’s shortest but perhaps most powerful tragedy.”

 

The six judges who will deliberate are all confirmed. Among them is the Honorable Maurice B. Cohill, Jr., a senior judge for the U.S. District Courts, Western District. His late wife Anne Mullaney was a PICT board member and ardent supporter of the theatre company until her untimely death in April of 2011. Judge Cohill expressed great enthusiasm for taking the bench at this unique event. Joining Judge Cohill are Judge Nora Barry Fischer, also from the U.S. District Court; Court of Common Pleas President Judge Jeffrey Manning, Superior Court Judge Judith Olson, Common Pleas Complex Case Judge Christine Ward, and Common Pleas Judge and former Pittsburgh Steeler Dwayne Woodruff.

 

Playing Macbeth is an unexpected addition to attorney Unkovic’s bucket list, but he thinks he might also be helping fulfill the dreams of a few others. “People have been hoping to see me die for years, and now, they may get the chance to see it happen right before their eyes,” he said.  “It’ll be fun and it’s for a great cause." 

 

TO ORDER TICKETS:  

PICT Theatre is taking orders by phone at 412-561-6000 and online at http://picttheatre.org/plays-events/pict-uncommon-pleas/ . Tickets are $250/person, or $200/person for members of the Arts & the Law Committee, Homer S. Brown Division, and Young Lawyers Division of the ACBA.

 

TO BECOME A SPONSOR:

 It’s not too late to be a sponsor, and sponsorship does have its privileges. Sponsorship options, ranging from $750 to $5,000, come with a host of benefits, including the chance to become involved in the show.  Call PICT Theatre or visit http://picttheatre.org/plays-events/pict-uncommon-pleas/ for the details.

.

PICT Theatre (aka Pittsburgh Irish & 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 Council. PICT is the Professional Theatre in Residence at the University of Pittsburgh, and performs in The Charity Randall and Henry Heymann Theatres from April through December in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh – Department of Theatre Arts.

PICT THEATRE’S 2014 SEASON

Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward

Directed by Alan Stanford

The Charity Randall Theatre

May 1 – May 17, 2014

(10 a.m. Student Matinee on Tuesday, May 13)

(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, May 17 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)

 

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

Directed by Aoife Spillane- Hinks

The Charity Randall Theatre

June 4 – June 21, 2014

(10 a.m. Student Matinee on Wednesday, June 4)

(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, June 21 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)

 

Woman and Scarecrow by Marina Carr

Directed by Alan Stanford

The Henry Heymann Theatre

July 10 – August 2, 2014

(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, August 2 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)

 

Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme by Frank McGuinness

Directed by Matt Torney

The Charity Randall Theatre

September 4 – September 20, 2014

(10 a.m. Student Matinee on Tuesday, September 16)

(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, September 20 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)

 

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Directed by Alan Stanford

The Charity Randall Theatre

October 8 – 25, 2014

(10 a.m. student matinees on Tuesday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 21)

(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, October 25 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)

 

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (Adapted for the stage by Hugh Leonard)

Directed by Alan Stanford

The Charity Randall Theatre

December 3-20, 2014

(10 a.m. student matinees on Tuesday, December 3 and Tuesday, December 16)

(2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, December 20 includes an American Sign Language interpretation.)

               

Subscriptions

(wide range of packages and flex plans available-

Early Bird pricing in effect until December 21, 2014) $288-$188*

Single Tickets

Senior Tickets (60+)

(Limited “grab bag” seating at $25; not available at all shows) $48-$38*

$44*

$25*

Military and Youth Tickets:

Military Adult

Military Children (ages 18 and under)

Patrons ages 19-30

Children ages 18 and under  

$24*

$5*

$20*

$10*

* Prices do not include handling fees.

Email tickethelp@picttheatre.org to become an E-Subscriber or for online purchasing options, or contact PICT at 412-561-6000 x.207.  

###

Michelle Belan

Marketing & Communications Director

 

theatre you can't stop talking about

mbelan@picttheatre.org

412-561-6000 ext. 203

picttheatre.org

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

PICT Announces 2014 Theme: Something Wicked This Way Comes

Contact: Michelle Belan
Marketing Director
412.561.6000 x203
mbelan@picttheatre.org
www.picttheatre.org
SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

PICT Theatre Announces a ‘Wicked’ Season for 2014
Six plays fit the theme: “Something Wicked This Way Comes”
A mixture of classic favorites and pure Irish genius.

Pittsburgh, PA – September 23, 2013. PICT Theatre (Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre) packs its eighteenth year of classic favorites and pure Irish genius, a return to its original mission under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Alan Stanford. The selection of plays all fit the theme, “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” a line taken from the fifth show of the season.

BLITHE SPIRIT – MAY 1-17, 2014 – THE CHARITY RANDALL THEATRE
PICT launches its season next May with Noel Coward’s immensely popular comedy Blithe Spirit.  This play made its Pittsburgh premiere at the Nixon Theatre in 1942 and was produced again in 1943, and then the Pittsburgh Playhouse produced it in 1945, but since then, there have been no professional productions of this comic gem in Pittsburgh. The story is simple: after a séance gone bad, Charles Condomine is disturbed to find that he now has two wives occupying his home— one of which is his late wife, Elvira. Blithe Spirit playfully mocks the traditions of love and marriage through the machinations of spiritual folly and the fight between a wife living, a wife dead and the haunted husband stuck between them. Even the grim reaper has no rest. A darkly amusing comedy, Blithe Spirit will be directed by PICT Producing Artistic Director Alan Stanford.

WAITING FOR GODOT – JUNE 4-21, 2014 – THE CHARITY RANDALL THEATRE
Though PICT produced BeckettFest in 2006, the company only offered a staged reading of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. In October of that same year, Alan Stanford starred as Pozzo in the Gate Theatre Dublin’s touring production at the Byham. PICT is finally producing this work as the second production of the 2014 season. Waiting for Godot, considered by many to be one of most influential plays ever written. Of this play, Alan Stanford notes, “ Two men waiting on a road for someone who never arrives. Two other men on a journey that seems to have no purpose or end.  In this simple tragic-comedy, Beckett has captured all life – the waiting and the journeying.” Aoife Spillane-Hinks, who directed PICT’s 2013 season opener Our Classwill return to PICT  to direct.

WOMAN AND SCARECROW – JULY 10-AUGUST 20, 2014, THE HENRY HEYMANN THEATRE
First performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London and subsequently presented at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, Woman and Scarecrow is Marina Carr’s perfect play about the last moments of a woman’s life. With great beauty and with clear Irish wit and wonder, this play tells the story of a life that was lived and the joy and sadness that comes that comes at journey’s end. The woman of the title is surrounded by colorful characters including her husband, her Auntie, her strange companion- and not forgetting the ‘thing’ in the closet. A wickedly wonderful plot for the adventurous spirit. Directed by Alan Stanford and starring Nike Doukas and Karen Baum,

OBSERVE THE SONS OF ULSTER MARCHING TOWARDS THE SOMME – SEPTEMBER 4-20, 2014, THE CHARITY RANDALL THEATRE
Almost legendary in Irish Theatre, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme was written in the height of “the Troubles” in Northern Ireland. It was one of the few plays from the Irish Republic which addressed the traditions and sense of Uster-ness of the Northern Protestants. Set during the First World War, the play follows a group of new recruits to the British army from basic training to the night before the Battle of the Somme where over 50,000 British troops died on the first day. Most of the Ulster contingent were killed in the first onslaught. Award-winning Irish playwright Frank McGuinness gives us a play which brilliantly demonstrates duty, loyalty, friendship, and above all, the effect of war on men. PICT’s production marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I.

MACBETH – OCTOBER 8-25, 2014 – THE CHARITY RANDALL THEATRE
One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, Macbeth chronicles the lust for power and the enticements that fate can offer. Macbeth, of all Shakespeare’s heroes, is the one on whom temptation and vanity wreak their most terrible revenge. He is the victim of his own delusions and of his own blind ambition. This is a play with no sub-plot. No deviations. No overtly intellectual debate. It is a play of action, power and passion. And there are three wicked witches! Alan Stanford will direct.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS – DECEMBER 3-20, 2014 – THE CHARITY RANDALL THEATRE
One of the best-known novels of England’s most prolific and loved Victorian writers, Great Expectations chronicles the life and loves of Philip Pirrip, known simply as Pip. Apprenticed to a blacksmith, kind to an escaped convict, sent to the home of an eccentric old woman (still in the bridal wear from her wedding day), Pip falls hopelessly in love with her ward. He is sent to London with great expectations of an inheritance. But the truth behind his expectations is far from anything he believed and the conclusion of his adventures is far from anything he dreamed. This classic of literature by Charles Dickens, which contains some of the author’s most colorful characters, was adapted by Hugh Leonard for Alan Stanford for production at the Gate Theatre Dublin. Alan Stanford will direct.

PICT IS NOW A BLUE STAR THEATRE
PICT Theatre is pleased to announce its participation in the Blue Star Theatre program, a program of Blue Star Families and Theatre Communications Group, with support from the MetLife Foundation. Through this program, military servicemembers and their families can receive discounted tickets. More information about the program can be found at the PICT website.

The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre (PICT) 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 Council. PICT is the Professional Theatre in Residence at the University of Pittsburgh, and performs in The Charity Randall and Henry Heymann Theatres from April through December in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh – Department of Theatre Arts.

PITTSBURGH IRISH & CLASSICAL THEATRE 2014 SEASON FACT SHEET

All performances in the Stephen Foster Memorial, 4301 Forbes Avenue, Oakland

Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward

Directed by Alan Stanford

The Charity Randall Theatre

May 1 – May 17, 2014

(10 a.m. Student Matinee on Tuesday, May 13)

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

Directed by Aoife Spillane- Hinks

The Charity Randall Theatre

June 4 – June 21, 2014

(10 a.m. Student Matinee on Wednesday, June 4)

Woman and Scarecrow by Marina Carr

Directed by Alan Stanford

The Henry Heymann Theatre

July 10 – August 2, 2014

Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme by Frank McGuinness

Director TBA

The Charity Randall Theatre

September 4 – September 20, 2014

(10 a.m. Student Matinee on Tuesday, September 16)

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Directed by Alan Stanford

The Charity Randall Theatre

October 8 – 25, 2014

(10 a.m. student matinees on Tuesday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 21)

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (Adapted for the stage by Hugh Leonard)

Directed by Alan Stanford

The Charity Randall Theatre

December 3-20, 2014

(10 a.m. student matinees on Tuesday, December 3 and Tuesday, December 16)

              

Subscriptions

(wide range of packages and flex plans available-

Early Bird pricing in effect until December 21, 2014) $296-$188*

Single Tickets  $55-$38*

Senior Tickets (60+)  $44*

(Limited “grab bag” seating at $25; not available at all shows) $25*

Military and Youth Tickets:

Military Adult  $24

Military Children (ages 18 and under)$5

Patrons ages 19-30  $20*

Children ages 18 and under  $10*  

* Prices do not include handling fees. Subscription handling fees waived for E-Subscribers.

Email tickethelp@picttheatre.org to become an E-Subscriber or for online purchasing options, or contact PICT at 412-561-6000 x.207. 

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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh