Pittsburgh Public TheaterClick here to go back to the home page

Using Props Effectively

Have you ever been taken out of the moment because the actor's choice just didn't seem realistic? For example, a death scene is often a climactic moment of the play and can make or break a performance. Join Amy Landis to explore tips and tricks for making various compelling and realistic acting choices for the stage.

What's your MOTIVE? A Mystery Writing Exercise

Public PlayTime presents North of Forbes, a new play by Tammy Ryan adapted from Agatha Christie’s first published novel, The Mysterious Affairs at Styles - now a contemporary whodunnit set right in Pittsburgh.

Follow along with Julie Albright, writer and owner of The Writing Studio, as she challenges you to write you own mystery story! Learn more about the workshops and services of the Writing Studio at https://www.writingstudiopgh.com/​.

Community Playwriting

This month, Public PlayTime presents The Inseparables, about a local theater troupe putting on their new adaptation of “The Three Musketeers”. In this video, artist Shakara Wright shares a collaborative process for playwriting, as used by Alumni Theatre Company.

1. START WITH A THEME: First, the director of the show approaches the cast with a theme.

2. SHARE RELEVANT IDEAS: The cast shares topics and issues from everyday life that relate to the main theme. The group votes on the these topics and the most votes are added in.

3. CREATE CHARACTERS: Everyone creates a unique character in small groups.

4. WRITE: Start to add the elements of a good story, by talking about a plot and action. Then, start to write your scene!

5. ADD MUSIC: After the show starts to come together within several rehearsals, incorporate songs that your character might sing or dance to.

GROUP ACTIVITY: As a class, or within your family pod, use one of the themes from “The Inseparables” and try this process to create your own scene!

MAKING CONNECTIONS

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL

MAKING SOMETHING YOUR OWN

SET THE SCENE! STORYTELLING THROUGH ZOOM

While theaters are currently paused, actors are learning new ways to tell stories over zoom and other web platforms. Join Fight Director and Artist Tonya Lynn to work through some of those tricks to telling a good story. If you've wondered how to sword fight, pass a prop, or hold hands with someone through the screen, this workshop will give you some creative ideas to prepare for your next time on the camera!

Scenic Design for the Holidays

This month, Public PlayTime presents The Gift of the Mad Guys, a new play by Brian Pope inspired by the original romantic comedy, O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. Like Wes and Andrew, the main characters in this production, scenic designer Tucker Topel loves Christmas! Join Tucker for ideas to get you thinking like a scenic designer while decorating for the holiday season.

EXPLORING SPACE AND TIME WORKSHOP

December's PlayTime playreading of "The Gift of the Mad Guys", by Brian Bope, is a joyful and contemporary adaptation of O. Henry's short story, "The Gift of the Magi". Taking place in 2020, amidst a global pandemic, these characters remind us, and each other, that the gift of selfless love is positively priceless.

Join Leigh Hendrix for a virtual workshop that explores the elements of space and time to build deeper awareness of your surroundings. Leigh is joined by Devin and Nathan from Thomas Jefferson High School and Dylan and Sophia from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School.

SENSE-BOUND SONGWRITING

Public PlayTime presents Redux, a new play by Rob Zellers about two Vietnam War veterans that are reunited after 45 years. When you think about particular times in your life, or in history, music is always there to help us connect and remember. Join INEZ a sense-bound songwriting exercise that helps you connect our personal stories to themes of the play.

Download Sense-Bound Songwriting Worksheet

IMPROV & STORYTELLING WORKSHOP

November's PlayTime playreading of "Redux", by Rob Zellers, tells the story of two Vietnam war veterans reunited at 45 years. Even after so much time apart, they fall right back into their old rhythms of bolstering and battering one another with memories and inside jokes.

Join Jamie Agnello and students from the University of Pittsburgh as they take a trip down memory lane to explore the meaning of home, family, and truth.

LISTEN TO YOUR HOUSE

In this month's PlayTime reading, A Tell-Tale Heart, the narrator, Gene, guides us through stories from his kitchen in constant conversation with the sounds of his surroundings. The house has a lot to say! This video will guide you through the art of FOLEY sound effects, so you can start thinking about your house as a character in your story.

THEATER WORKSHOP

In this workshop, Cassidy Adkins leads you through theater games that focus in on the importance of movement and voice when creating characters. And sometimes, what we say is actually not what we mean.

MOOD MASKS

In MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, several characters are hiding behind masks - either physical masks that hide their true identity, or emotional masks that cover up true feelings and emotions. Follow along with Teaching Artist, Alex Manalo, for a movement activity called MOOD MASKS.

Show us your mood masks!

Choose an emotion or mood word and snap a photo of you in your face mask. We'll add it to our online gallery.

WORKSHOP: THE GAMES WE PLAY AND BATTLES WE FIGHT

September 24, 2020 | Zoom

In MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, the characters are playing a lot of games – the game of love, the game of wit, and the game of.. baseball?

Join Parag Gohel for theater games that show us how to collaboratively tell stories while challenging the status quo. This workshop was hosted on Zoom Webinar, featuring on-screen participants from previous Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contests: Bailey, Cherish, Macie, Hope, and Simon! This is an all ages and abilities event.