The new season for the Conservatory of Performing Arts is in full send. This year, the Pittsburgh Playhouse has presented multiple productions for the department of dance and theatre that are sure to excite.

Under the direction of Kiesha Lalama, the managing and artistic director for the Playhouse, they’re launching several new programs.

Lalama did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

One such program people are looking forward to is the “Arts Accelerator.” The first of these events listed is titled “ASCEND.” It states that it’s a “highly stimulating and interactive production for thrill-seeking audiences,” which ensures to be exciting. It will begin in a state of calm, transitioning to a “cosmic dance party.”

Listed below is a  schedule for all the shows planned this year.

Dance

October 9-13, 2024: Fall Dance Concert. The fall dance concert is a production put on by the Conservatory Dance Company that occurs every year. This year features choreographers Roni Koresh, Jule Lane, and Ilian Lopez.

October 23-27, 2024: Fall Student Choreography Project. In a dance major’s capstone, they are required to choreograph a routine performed by peers of their choice. Held each year, this project showcases all the years of work these students put into the dance program and allows them to display their knowledge and skill.

December 11-15, 2024: Contemporary Choreographers. Featuring works by newly hired staff members of the conservatory dance company, this project will bring to life their outside ideas and stories. The dance faculty involved will be announced at a later date.

February 19-23, 2025: Winter Dance Concert. Featuring works by Omar Román de Jesús, Nacho Duato, Karla Puno Garcia, and Houston Thomas, this project aims to warm up the audience with its choreography. .

March 5-9, 2025: Spring Student Choreography Project. A continuation of the capstone for dance majors, this project will feature routines choreographed by Point Park seniors. The show will further highlight the creativity of the university’s students.

April 16-20, 2025: Faculty Choreo-lab. An annual show brought on by the conservatory dance company’s own faculty, this production will bring to life the ideas and artistry of Point Park’s staff, for which they are renowned.

Theatre

October 10–20, 2024: The Trees by Agnes Borinsky. This surreal play explores community and identity. Friends find themselves transformed into trees, challenging their connections and understanding of the world.

November 13–17, 2024: Steel Pier. Set during a 1930s dance marathon, this musical showcases the perseverance of contestants striving for victory, highlighting both grit and glamour.

December 4–8, 2024: Arcadia by Tom Stoppard. Blending past and present, this play weaves love, science, and mystery together across generations, filled with wit and deep reflection.

February 19–23, 2025: Jerry’s Girls. A lively revue celebrating Jerry Herman’s greatest hits, featuring songs from ‘Hello, Dolly!,’ ‘Mame,’ and more.

March 26–30, 2025: 12 Ophelias (a play with broken songs) by Caridad Svich. A modern take on Hamlet, this play follows Ophelia’s journey to reclaim her story, blending poetic dialogue with haunting melodies.

April 9–13, 2025: Legally Blonde: The Musical. The main protagonist, Elle Woods, brings her charm and determination to Harvard Law in this upbeat musical, proving that being true to yourself is “in.”

For Jacqueline Trinh-Juarez, a second-year musical theatre major, “Legally Blonde” holds a special place in her heart. “Although it is a silly and fun show, it packs a big punch,” Juarez said. “The show reminds us that we can do hard things under any circumstance—and do it in pink.”

Her personal connection to the character of Elle Woods, a determined young woman navigating the challenges of law school, resonates deeply with her. She was the first in her family to leave Texas for college. With its empowering message, this production is one she eagerly anticipates.

Deborah Wason, is equally excited about the season, particularly for the Contemporary Choreographers production. She said that the show is interesting because of the mix of faculty and outside choreographers.

Wason is a senior dance major with a concentration in ballet, so she’s also choreographing her own piece for the fall student project.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see my choreographic ideas come to life,” Wason said. She hopes that audiences will gain a deeper appreciation for the arts through performances this season.

Tickets for the upcoming season are available to subscribers, and individual tickets will be available in purchase in the future.