As spring break comes to an end and students return to campus, it can be easy to fall out of the loop and miss events the university has to offer. While it is great to get rest and relaxation, for some theater students looking towards their next performance, this time was spent rehearsing lines and perfecting their performances in anticipation of opening night.
From the COPA Theater Arts production of “Rent” to multiple shows from student-led production companies at Point Park, now is the perfect time for students to see the performances their peers have worked so hard on.
If you’ve heard of musical theater, you’ve heard of “Rent.” The smash hit from the mid-90s is coming to the Playhouse stage, spearheaded by director and choreographer Todd Underwood. A rock musical that follows a group of young artists living in New York City during the time of the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, “Rent” is a heartbreaking story of love and loss. It will be performed at the PNC Theater in the Pittsburgh Playhouse from March 13 through 17, with tickets available for free for students on the Playhouse website.
“We’ve all experienced moments in our lives where we feel like we can’t go on or there isn’t a straight path,” Underwood said in a behind the scenes video from the Playhouse. “But then we realize: just take another step, and that’s what I want the audience to come away with.”
In addition to the Playhouse, there are several shows coming up from student-led production companies Pinnacle Productions and Ghostlight Theater Company.
When The Campfire Dies by Pinnacle Productions was originally set for February 16-19, but has been postponed to March 8-11 in the Thayer Hall basement. A theatrical experience, this show was devised and executed as a collaboration between Madeline Bedford, Elijah Corbin, Logan Kearney, Paisley Kinch and Annie Morehead. Follow them on Instagram @pinnacle.productions.ppu for tickets and information on how to get involved.
Rabbit Hole by Ghostlight Theater Company is a play about how a family deals with the loss of a loved one, fusing tragedy and comedy in the Tony-winning play written by Cynthia Nixon. Now in the hands of Ghostlight, see it for yourself from March 8-10 in the Rauh Theater of the Pittsburgh Playhouse. For tickets, go to their Instagram @ghostlightppu.
Dry Land, also put on by Pinnacle Productions, will be showing in the Raul Theater on April 12 and 13. The critically-acclaimed play written by Ruby Rae Spiegel is a coming-of-age story about the traumas and hardships of teen pregnancy and how young women handle them. With such a heavy subject matter, it should be known to anyone considering going that this play contains at times graphic descriptions and displays of abortion, self-harm, violence and scenes with blood. Once again, tickets are free and can be found through the links on the Pinnacle Productions Instagram.
The best part about Ghostlight and Pinnacle is how open and accepting they are. They are always looking for actors and staff, no matter if you are a COPA student or not. These production companies also actively seek out actors who are not involved with other COPA projects, so every student can showcase the skills they have been working so hard for.
So shake off the cobwebs of break and get back into the swing of things by supporting your peers, as they showcase the talent that Point Park is known for. This goes for both on and off the stage.
