Bridge Theater Series 2015-16 Announced

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is pleased to announce a new programming initiative, for children ages 7 and up, the Bridge Theater Series will feature professional productions staged by award-winning national and international companies known for their quality and imaginative work. The 2015-2016 inaugural season of the Bridge Theater Series will include a mix of productions based on popular books, current issues and topics, and historical events. The aesthetic will be young, contemporary, thought-provoking, technology-infused, imaginative and challenging. Performing arts companies from the United States and around the globe including India, Peru, the Netherlands, and Scotland will grace various stages in Pittsburgh's downtown Cultural District. Two of the productions in this new series, Titus by Macrobert Arts Centre (Scotland) and Short Stories by Teatro Hugo e Ines (Peru), will take place during the 2016 EQT Children's Theater Festival (May 12-15, 2016).

"The Trust is proud to offer a new performing arts series that expands our outreach of presenting culturally diverse and inspiring programming for young audiences," shared Pamela Komar, Manager of Children's Theater Programming for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Executive Director of the Children's Theater Series and Festival. Ms. Komar further notes, "The year-round Bridge Theater Series will connect and reconnect young people with performing art. Professional productions are created specifically for "big kids" ages 7 and up and their grown-ups. Young people will be invited to participate in the planning process to share their ideas, thoughts and questions that will foster programming content."

The Bridge Theater Series will include the following national and international productions as part of its inaugural season in 2015-2016.

Alice In Wonderland
Tram Theatre (India)
November 6, 7, 8, 2015 (part of India in Focus)
Trust Arts Education Center
805-807 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Bored and exhausted with their typical days, four people decide to make a getaway into the world of their own make believe. Using Lewis Carroll's novel as a base, the performers transform themselves and the objects around them into pure fantasy and nonsense. Upon return to reality, we are forever changed by imagination. This is Alice in Wonderland from a new perspective. For more information about the performers visit https://www.facebook.com/tramtheatre; video excerpt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCuFsn8XKuo.

TetrisPlus
Arch 8 (Netherlands)
January 22-23, 2016
August Wilson Center for African American Culture
980 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Experience two of Arch8's most physically awe-inspiriting works-Tetris and No Man Is an Island-featuring a gravity-defying combination of acrobatics, extreme physicality and movement. How does it all fit together? First up is No Man Is an Island, which pushes the limits of possibility as one person climbs, stretches, and shifts his weight atop another without ever touching the ground. Then it's Tetris, fitting, merging, stacking and combining various feats. If you've ever been a kid who can't sit still--who wants to hurdle over furniture and scale the walls--the cool permutations of TetrisPlus are for you! Tetris Plus is about fitting into a group, but also staying true to yourself. For more information about the performers visithttp://www.arch8.nl/en/; video excerpts http://shawentertainment.com/arch8-erik-kaiel/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcFvm4z6wFM.

Superman 2050
Theater Unspeakable (United States)
March 18-19, 2016
August Wilson Center for African American Culture
980 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

This production features an epic story, pocket proportions-seven actors share one tiny platform, just 3-by-7 feet of space, and upon it an original Superman tale unfolds. Set in a fictional 2050 Metropolis the show's imaginative, resourceful cast members use only their bodies and voices to create every prop, scene, sound effect, and character in a battle between Superman and Lex Luthor for the future of the Midwest's beloved high-speed rail network. Superman 2050 is theater at its most physical and imaginative. For more information about the performers visit http://www.theaterunspeakable.com/;
video excerpts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ1zRimPDqc&feature=youtu.be; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdbKWsNvyl4&feature=youtu.be.

Titus
Macrobert Arts Centre (Scotland)
May 12-15, 2016 (EQT Children's Theater Festival)
Venue: To be announced at a later date.

Meet Titus. He's a boy in a situation that seems hopeless. He thinks the truth is boring. He can choose to take flight or meet his problems head on. Don't miss this show about finding yourself complete with pigs that fall in love and crows that talk. Titus, originally written by Jan Sobrie, was awarded the Dutch-German Author Prize in 2007 and is considered one of Europe's most successful plays for young people. This new English version, written by Oliver Emanuel and directed by Lu Kemp, won the 2015 International Performing Arts for Youth's Victor Award for best theater production. For more information about the performers visit http://www.macrobert.org/our-productions/titus/; video excerpt http://vimeo.com/macrobertproductions/review/98538414/d74ac0c652.

Short Stories
Teatro Hugo e Ines (Peru)
May 12-15, 2016 (EQT Children's Theater Festival)
Venue: To be announced at a later date.

With amazing dexterity and delightful creativity, Teatro Hugo e Ines transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary with their unique blend of mime, dance and puppetry. Short Stories include a riot of characters composed of knees, feet, hands, elbows and a handful of props playing out the poetic moments of daily life. For more information about the performers visit https://hugoeines.wordpress.com/;
video excerpt http://danceinteractive.jacobspillow.org/dance/teatro-hugo-ines.

Tickets and Information
Subscriptions to the Bridge Theater Series are currently available. The subscription package includes four performances: Alice in Wonderland, TetrisPlus, Superman 2050, and subscriber choice of either Titus or Short Stories. Early bird subscription cost is $34 (valid through August 2015); Regular subscription cost is $36. Advance single ticket is $10.50; Regular single ticket is $12.00. Group discounted tickets (10 or more) are available. Single tickets on sale to the public August 2015.

Season Tickets: TrustArts.org/kids • 412-456-1390
Group Tickets: TrustArts.org/groups • 412-471-6930