Jasmine Hearn, Memory Fleet: Stay in the Circle on April 24-25

MEDIA CONTACT

Mingsi Ma (she/her)

Marketing Specialist

mingsi@kelly-strayhorn.org

412-363-3000 x 325

A dance-theater tribute to Black mothers and mentors in a love letter to Pittsburgh. Featuring Jasmine Hearn, two nights of evening-length performance, a community dinner, and a movement workshop.

April 1, 2026

Photo Credit: Jakayla Monay, Courtesy of the artist and DiverseWorks (Click photo to download)

PITTSBURGH, PA – Dancer and choreographer Jasmine Hearn returns to Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) with their dance-theater performance Memory Fleet: Stay in the Circle on Friday & Saturday, April 24-25. Co-commissioned by KST, the work is a tribute to Black mothers and mentors and a love letter to Pittsburgh. Jasmine’s engagement with KST also includes a movement workshop Spectrum of Strength on Saturday, April 18, and a Citizens Community Dinner on Monday, April 20, both open to the public.  

Memory Fleet: Stay in the Circle is a dynamic, dance-driven performance fueled by original music and poetry. Weaving together stories of labor and rest, it imagines the past, present, and future of Black people who mother and mentor. Rooted in Jasmine’s personal history and shaped by Black histories of Houston, Pittsburgh, and New York City, the performance unfolds through a series of embodied “recipes”—intimate yet expansive—that disrupt traditional ideas of dance and reveal how movement holds memory, story, and meaning.

Jasmine performs with Anqwenique Kinsel, Melike Vivastine Konur, Bekezela Mguni, Ursula Payne, Staycee Pearl, and Alisha B. Wormsley to form an interdisciplinary collective that retells shared memories and stories using dance and embodied sound.

Named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” (2025), Jasmine Hearn has a rich history with KST, dating back over a decade. “Jasmine was the very first resident when we launched KST’s Freshworks program in 2013 – our robust creative residency for emerging artists and collaborators based in the greater Pittsburgh region that continues to this day, launches careers like Jasmine’s that shape the field. We’ve been honored to support Jasmine since then and witness their career take off,” says KST Co-Executive Director Joseph Hall, who founded Freshworks.

Memory Fleet first premiered in Houston, TX, where the artist was born and raised. It now travels to Pittsburgh, where Jasmine graduated from Point Park University and landed their first professional dance contract with as a company member with Dance Alloy Theater, KST’s predecessor organization. Pittsburgh became the first place where they were connected with queer family while at local dance parties SAPPHO and volunteering with organizations such as New Voices PGH.

Next is New York City for the June production Memory Fleet: Beloved, Let’s Cross co-presented by New York Live Arts and the Chocolate Factory Theater. Jasmine reflects, “each place has a different way of celebrating the teachers who I have learned from and continue to be inspired by. This city of rivers has loved on me in a way I could not have imagined .”

Memory Fleet: Stay in the Circle is part of the continually expanding, episodic, migrating project Memory Fleet led by Jasmine Hearn. Memory Fleet is a performance and archive project that preserves shared memories and stories, building on their earlier work Memory Keep(H)er, a dance solo created to preserve the oral narrative of Jasmine’s grandmother, which first developed in residency at KST in 2015.

Photo Credit: Jay Warr (Click photo to download)

On Saturday, April 18, audience members can join the Spectrum of Strength workshop at KST’s Alloy Studios led by Jasmine Hearn to get a taste of the artist’s choreographic practice of identifying personal experiences that can be woven into collective dance “recipes”.

The Citizens Community Dinner on Monday, April 20, welcomes guests to join Jasmine in a conversation about their life and the work trajectory of archiving matrilineal relationships across time and geography. Audience members enjoy a free buffet dinner with one complimentary drink ticket.

As audiences visit Kelly Strayhorn Theater during KST Presents performances, they can experience visual art exhibition, Practices of Holding, in the KST Gallery, featuring members of Sibyls Shrine, a national network, residency program, and collective of Black artists who m/other, of which Jasmine is a member. Curated by Jessica Gaynelle Moss, the exhibition honors ancestral and living matriarchs and is presented in conjunction with Memory Fleet: Stay in the Circle.

Spectrum of Strength with Jasmine Hearn

Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm

KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.

Tickets for Spectrum of Strength are Pay What Moves You, $10 – $25 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

Citizens Community Dinner with Jasmine Hearn

Monday, April 20, 2026 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.

Tickets for the Citizens Community Dinner are Pay What Moves You, $0 – $25 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

Jasmine Hearn, Memory Fleet: Stay in the Circle

Friday & Saturday, April 24* – 25, 2026 | 7:30pm – 8:30pm

Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.

*with post-show discussion

Tickets for Memory Fleet: Stay in the Circle are Pay What Moves You, $20 – $35 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

Sibyls Shrine: Practices of Holding, curated by Jessica Gaynelle Moss

Wednesday, February 4 – Sunday, June 14, 2026

Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.

Gallery Hours with Performance, learn more here.

STYLE NOTES

Spell Kelly Strayhorn Theater without a hyphen between “Kelly” and “Strayhorn”.

Do not use “the” before Kelly Strayhorn Theater.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jasmine Hearn (They/Them), an interdisciplinary artist from occupied Akokisa lands (Houston, TX), is a performer, teacher, doula, and organizer. A 2025 Dance Magazine “25 to Watch,” Hearn has received awards including the Bessie Award and the FCA Grants to Artists. They’ve collaborated with artists like Solange and Bill T. Jones, and presented work at major venues including BAM and the Guggenheim. Their practice honors matrilineal memory, somatic traditions, and community through movement, sound, and design.

ABOUT MEMORY FLEET

Memory Fleet is a performance and archive project that preserves shared memories and stories. An expansion of Hearn’s past solo work, Memory Keep(H)er (2015), the multi-aspected project encompasses a series of performances, a shared embodied practice, an evolving installation of archival materials, an expanding digital archive, and original sound, text, and recipes. Together, these elements archive and celebrate the memories, dances, and gestures passed on through intergenerational lineages.

CREDITS

Memory Fleet is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation & Development Fund Project  co-commissioned by DiverseWorks in partnership with Chocolate Factory Theater (Queens, NY) Kelly Strayhorn Theater (Pittsburgh, PA), New York Live Arts (New York, NY) and NPN (New Orleans, LA). The work has received additional support from Creative Capital and the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Foundation and the Mellon Foundation.

ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER

Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices.

KST is an institutional arts anchor in Pittsburgh’s East End that has served the community for more than two decades. Since launching KST Presents programming in ’08, KST has been Black-led, fostering radical imagination for Black and queer arts, culture, and community in Pittsburgh by cultivating BIPOC and/or queer artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators, developing their careers, and shifting narratives around Black possibility.

Marvin Gaye: A Tribute to the Prince of Soul on Saturday, March 14, Reimagined by Pittsburgh Finest Music Talents

MEDIA CONTACT

Mingsi Ma (she/her)

Marketing Specialist

mingsi@kelly-strayhorn.org

412-363-3000 x 325

Led by Musical Director Jerome O. Kirkland, Jr.

Photo Credit: Collage by Kiearra Williams; Photo by Jim Britt (Public Domain) and Randall Coleman

Pittsburgh, PA – Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is excited to present Marvin Gaye: A Tribute to the Prince of Soul on Saturday, March 14. This tribute concert features Marvin’s legendary catalog reimagined by Pittsburgh’s finest vocalists and musicians, led by music director Jerome O. Kirkland, Jr. The event includes a VIP Reception from 6:00pm – 7:00pm and the concert from 7:30pm – 9:00pm.

Since 2020, KST’s annual Tribute Concerts have built a strong following, bringing together an extraordinary lineup of local artists to honor musical legends. This year’s concert follows 2024’s spectacular WHITNEY and past crowd-pleasers Simply the Best: A Tina Turner Tribute Concert and R.E.S.P.E.C.T.: An Aretha Franklin Tribute Concert.

In October 2025, KST invited fans to vote for the next artist to be celebrated. With overwhelming support, Marvin Gaye rose to the top as this year’s honoree. From What’s Going On, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, to Let’s Get It On, his music transcends the boundaries of rhythm and blues.

Beyond his chart-topping hits, Marvin Gaye used his music as a vehicle for social commentary, addressing topics like civil rights, police brutality, environmental justice, anti-war and Black power. Revisiting Marvin Gaye’s catalog today, KST is honored to celebrate not only his musical brilliance but also the ways Black artists have shaped cultural and social change through sound.

This concert features vocalists Lyndsey Smith, Twan Moore, Cam Chambers, and Kenny Stockard. The band includes Dennis Garner, Jr., Chuck Anderson, Gary Howard, and Jerome O. Kirkland, Jr., who is also the music director. Sarah Gilmer, KST’s Programming Manager, notes, “Kirkland stands out to KST for his commitment to level up the local music scene. Supporting Pittsburgh-rooted talents also reflects the care we have to our community.”

Kirkland shares how the vocalists and band members are selected based on their talents: “When I think of Marvin, the first word that comes to mind is ‘Soul.’ With these artists, there is nobody that I know of who is more soulful than the ones selected. I trust them to do Marvin Gaye the justice he deserves.”

This year, KST’s Co-Production Manager J.R. Shaw is crafting a special and specific stage and lighting design that draws inspiration from the ones of past Marvin Gaye performances. He incorporates retro LED elements that evoke the ’70s, featuring geometric patterns and a clean visual aesthetic. “The goal is for fans to experience the timeless aesthetic of the era with the benefit of modern production techniques”, says Shaw.

Concertgoers who pay at the $65 level or above can enjoy one drink ticket, light refreshments at the VIP reception, and early seating. Guests can mingle with fellow Marvin Gaye fans and chat about their favorite memories of his music.

Marvin Gaye: A Tribute to the Prince of Soul

Saturday, March 14, 2026  |  6:00pm – 7:00pm VIP Reception  |  7:30pm – 9:00pm Concert

Kelly Strayhorn Theater  |  5941 Penn Ave.

Tickets for Marvin Gaye: A Tribute to the Prince of Soul : VIP Reception+ Early Seating: Pay What Moves You: $65 – $85; General Admission: Pay What Moves You: $35 – $45, and can be reserved here.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Blessed to share this gift of music, Jerome O. Kirkland, Jr. (Music Director, Keys) has lit up stages with artists from Donnie McClurkin to Billy Porter. A multi-genre writer, producer, and instrumentalist, he brings versatility and fire to every performance. As a sought out Music Director, his goal is to craft electric, heartfelt arrangements that ignite the room—and leave audiences buzzing long after the final note.

Lyndsey Smith (Vocalist), the “Goddaughter of Soul,” is an award-winning vocalist delivering a powerful fusion of Rock ‘n’ Roll and Soul music. Her transformative voice, forged through personal pain and triumph, consistently uplifts her audience. Lyndsey’s magnetic and unforgettable performances showcase powerhouse vocals, sultry delivery, and electric stage presence, inspired by legends like Etta James and Tina Turner.

Twan Moore (Vocalist) is a true Soul Singer with a smooth voice. His peers and fans have named him “The Silky Soul Singer”. Originally from Chicago, he now resides here in Pittsburgh. He has a five octave vocal range and is a very versatile vocalist. He’s a Recording Artist with his own original music.

From New Kensington to stages nationwide, Cam Chambers (Vocalist) is a musician built by church roots and live performance. After forming a band in college, he’s released multiple projects, collaborated across genres, toured nationally, and has lit up Pittsburgh’s music scene since 2013. With jazz in his blood, Cam brings tradition, versatility, and energy to every stage he touches.

Kenny Stockard’s (Vocalist) love for music and his calling to be a musician was inspired by his grandpa. As a young boy, Kenny watched his grandfather lead worship at a small church in St. Louis, and he knew he wanted to use his voice to lift people’s hearts in the same way. His aim is to make songs that help people seek the good in life.

Dennis Garner Jr. (Drums) is a professional musician and music producer. Dennis carries a vibrant passion for cultivating creative performance opportunities for the Pittsburgh music community. In 2009 he founded Live City Entertainment, a centerstage production agency & an artists development hub. Dennis is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, a 4x Local champion of the Guitar Center Drum-Off competition, and K-12 Teaching Artist Team Lead for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust arts education department.

Chuck Anderson (Bass) is a Pittsburgh-based multi-instrumentalist who began performing professionally at 19. While studying at Central State University, he served as drummer and percussionist for the Grammy-nominated CSU Chorus under Dr. William Henry Caldwell and performed for seven years with gospel artist Jonathan Dunn. He has played internationally in Italy, Sweden, Norway, Japan, China, and the UAE, and has shared the stage with artists including Branford Marsalis, Frank McComb, and Raheem Devaughn. Chuck also leads Chuck8301 Music.

Gary Howard (Guitar) picked up the guitar at age nine and taught himself how to play—never taking a single lesson. This natural talent has led to a remarkable career, playing alongside many professional touring acts and local bands over the years. For 25 years, Gary has been the reliable guitarist for the popular band House of Soul. In a new venture, he has established an exciting Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Show band. When he’s not performing, Gary is the proud owner of Smoove Recording Studio, where he continues to contribute his expertise to the music world.

ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER

Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices.

KST is an institutional arts anchor in Pittsburgh’s East End that has served the community for more than two decades. Since launching KST Presents programming in ’08, KST has been Black-led, fostering radical imagination for Black and queer arts, culture, and community in Pittsburgh by cultivating BIPOC and/or queer artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators, developing their careers, and shifting narratives around Black possibility.

RELEASE: Exhibition Practices of Holding Opens at KST Gallery on February 4, Honoring Ancestral and Living Matriarchs

MEDIA CONTACT

Mingsi Ma (she/her)

Marketing Specialist

mingsi@kelly-strayhorn.org

412-363-3000 x 325

Features members of Sibyls Shrine, curated by Jessica Gaynelle Moss

Photo Credit: Lor Lor, Matriarch of Sasha-Loriene McClain.

East Liberty, PA — From Wednesday, February 4 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is pleased to present the exhibition Practices of Holding, featuring members of Sibyls Shrine, a national network, residency program, and collective of Black artists who m/other. The exhibition at the KST Gallery honors ancestral and living matriarchs for the many ways they hold us, beyond traditional definitions of gender or familial hierarchy.

Participating Sibyls Shrine artists include Elizabeth Burden, Tiara L. Burtin, Lisa Brown, Dail Chambers, Lish Danielle, Cheré D. Gordon, Olivia Guterson, sarah huny young, Miracle Jones, Melike Vivastine Konur, Sasha-Loriene McClain, Zllen McCollum, Victoria Ramlalsingh-Hinton, and Anqwenique.

Curated by Jessica Gaynelle Moss, Practices of Holding positions “matriarchy” as a practice, and according to Moss, “to ‘hold’ is not simply to support but to endure, to witness, to listen, to teach, to carry”. It is a large-scale, salon-style installation, comprised of portraits of ancestral and living matriarchs, written reflections, memory work and collective altar-building.

Moss speaks to the intentions behind her curation: “I’m intentional about creating safe spaces for an audience that is often unsafe in public spaces. As the Sibyls Shrine Managing Director and Curator, I am guided by the needs of our members, constantly navigating how their safety and sense of belonging can be embedded into institutional use and design. Working with KST, an institution recognized for its longstanding commitment to accessibility and inclusive practices, provides an opportunity to practice this work with a higher level of clarity and accountability.”

Sibyls Shrine was founded in 2019 by artist Alisha B. Wormsley at a time when the city of Pittsburgh’s Gender Equity Commission released a white paper finding Pittsburgh as the worst place for Black women to live. According to Moss, [Sibyls Shrine started] out of “a severe need to serve a demographic and a population that was not being served across the field,” and specifically with Black mothers in mind. Moss shares that, “[Sibyls Shrine] offers residencies, employment and exhibition opportunities, institutional access, financial care, professional development, childcare, opportunities to rest, and access to a network of over 150+ other Black artists who m/other.”

The Pay-What-Moves-You opening reception on Wednesday, February 4, 6:00 pm – 8:00pm, includes catering from Chef Robin of 3 Yellow Roses, live music by 16-year-old DJ Amiel, a cash bar, and a series of local organizations present as community partners, sharing their offerings with the public.

Jessica Gaynelle Moss (front-facing) hugging/holding Jasmine Hearn. Photo Credit: Beth Barbis.

Practices of Holding is curated in conjunction with artist Jasmine Hearn’s upcoming performance Memory Fleet: Stay in the Circle on Friday & Saturday, April 24 – 25 at KST that names the work/rest and past/future of Black people who mother and mentor.

Practices of Holding |  Wednesday, February 4 – Sunday, June 14 | Opening Reception: Wednesday, February 4, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Gallery Hours with Performances

Kelly Strayhorn Theater  |  5941 Penn Ave.

Tickets for Practices of Holding are Pay What Moves You, $0 – $20 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Sibyls Shrine is a national network, residency program and collective of Black artists who m/other. It was created in 2019 by Alisha B Wormsley, developed with Jessica Gaynelle Moss, in partnership with Shiftworks Community + Public Arts. Sibyls Shrine now boasts over 150+ members across 19 states and 26 cities. Since the program’s inception, the small team of 3 has curated 11 exhibitions, 32 residencies and 80 public programs from our member Network, in partnership with 16 local and national organizational partners.

Jessica Gaynelle Moss (Curator) is an artist who supports other artists through her curatorial work, consultancy and custodianship. Recent curatorial projects include Melike Konur: Women I’ve Been (2025) Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, The Vault: Exhibiting the Private Collections of Black Collectors (2023) Mint Museum, TEMPLE (2022) PRIZM Miami Art Week, SHRINE (2022) Mattress Factory, Sibyls Shrine: Taking Care (2021) Silver Eye Center for Photography. Jessica holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University(09); School of the Art Institute of Chicago(15); and University of Pittsburgh School of Law(18).

ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER

Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices.

KST is an institutional arts anchor in Pittsburgh’s East End that has served the community for more than two decades. Since launching KST Presents programming in ’08, KST has been Black-led, fostering radical imagination for Black and queer arts, culture, and community in Pittsburgh by cultivating BIPOC and/or queer artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators, developing their careers, and shifting narratives around Black possibility.

RELEASE: Standing Firm in Rev. Dr. King’s Legacy and Vision: MLK Day 2026 at Kelly Strayhorn Theater

MEDIA CONTACT

Mingsi Ma (she/her) 

Marketing Specialist

mingsi@kelly-strayhorn.org

412-363-3000 x325

Local Community Organizations and Performance Groups Bring Activities and Performances Dedicated to MLK’s Legacy

Collage by Kiearra Williams

East Liberty, PA — Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) brings its annual MLK Day program back on Monday, January 19, titled The Beloved Community: East Liberty’s Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rooted in Rev. Dr. King’s legacy, the celebration gathers artists, neighbors, and changemakers to uplift his vision of justice, compassion, and shared humanity. From 1:00pm – 4:00pm, community partners will activate the KST Lobby with family-friendly activities for neighbors of all ages, alongside a gallery exhibition in the KST Gallery featuring artist Morgan Overton’s work that bridges historical memory and future possibility, asking what becomes possible when the dream is activated together. From 2:00pm – 3:00pm, KST presents local performance groups on stage, highlighting the creativity and voices of local young artists.

Starting at 1:00pm, community organizations take over the KST Lobby with fun, family-friendly arts-and-crafts activities. The participating organizations include True T, ARYSE, Allies for Health + Wellbeing, Healthy Start Inc., and KSci-Art Initiative.

As audiences are invited to view the KST Gallery featuring the temporary exhibition, After the Dream, by multidisciplinary visual artist and Pittsburgh native Morgan Overton. The exhibition highlights Overton’s original works channeling the remembrance of Dr. King’s journey, Civil Rights leaders who helped lead the freedom movement, and Afrofuturist imagery. Overton’s work is described as “a reclamation of history and humanity.” The KST Gallery exhibits her existing works and new pieces created specifically for this event.

KST’s Marketing Specialist Mingsi Ma shares that “KST curates the Youth & Family event as a fun, heartwarming gathering centered on the arts, while also creating a space where families can connect with local organizations for vital resources. In the spirit of MLK’s legacy, we have partnered over the years with community groups to share LGBTQ+, health, social justice, financial literacy, and education resources, always with equity and accessibility at the center.”

From 2:00pm – 3:00pm, the main stage features performances by Hill Dance Academy Theatre, student dancers from ARYSE, and Pastor Deryck Tines and the Lemington Gospel Chorale, with Rev. Dr. Michael Diaz of East Liberty Presbyterian Church guiding the day’s celebration as Emcee. KST has also commissioned local emerging music talent Aryana Kapree to present a new spoken-word work, performed by the artist at the event.

“When I think about MLK, I’m reminded of how we need to keep showing up for one another, especially amid the injustices surrounding our communities,” says KST’s Programming Manager, Sarah Gilmer. “This year’s theme, ‘The Beloved Community’, speaks directly to what KST stands for. For 16 years, our ongoing MLK Day celebration has reflected our dedication to serve as a real welcoming touchpoint in East Liberty.”

Courtesy of Let Freedom Sing

At 7:30pm, the 19th annual Let Freedom Sing Concert celebrates Rev. Dr. King through vocal and instrumental music and spoken word. The concert features vocal selections by The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, the Rodman Street Baptist Church Choir, and acclaimed operatic soprano Zuly Inirio. It concludes with a performance by the intergenerational MLK Festival Choir, directed by Dr. Herbert Jones and Alton Mitchell. WAMO 107.3 radio personality Kiki Jones serves as the celebrity Emcee. Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned good to donate to the EECM Food Pantry.

The Beloved Community: East Liberty’s Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Monday, January 19, 2026  |  1:00pm – 4:00pm Community Partner Activities |  2:00pm – 3:00pm Performance Program

Kelly Strayhorn Theater  |  5941 Penn Ave.

Tickets for The Beloved Community: East Liberty’s Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are Pay What Moves You, $0 – $25 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

This event is generously sponsored by Citizens.

Let Freedom Sing Concert

Monday, January 19, 2026  |  7:30pm

Kelly Strayhorn Theater  |  5941 Penn Ave.

Tickets for Let Freedom Sing are Pay What Moves You, $2 – $50 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Aryana Kapree is a singer-songwriter, rapper, dancer and stage actor using songwriting, performance, dance and theater to further her creative pursuits. Aryana has performed at 91.3 FM WYEP’s Summer Music Festival, Kelly Strayhorn Theater, and is a two-time GRAMMY Museum GRAMMY Camp attendee.  Aryana is currently a professional ensemble member with Alumni Theater Company and a Saturday Light Brigade – Mind The Gap Fellow.

ARYSE supports immigrant and refugee youth in accessing the resources they need to feel confident, engaged, and celebrated. Through advocacy and out-of-school-time programming that focuses on building skills and a sense of community, ARYSE affirms youth’s identities and works alongside them to achieve their vision for their futures. Visit arysepgh.org to learn more.

Hill Dance Academy Theatre (HDAT), a Pittsburgh Cultural Treasure celebrated 20 years in 2025 as Black dance arts education nonprofit organization located in the Historic Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA., HDAT was founded in 2005 by Ayisha Morgan-Lee, Ed.D. to provide children, youth, and teens, ages 3 to 18, access and opportunity to dance. HDAT trains students in various styles of concert dance, fitness and nutrition, and leadership skills. HDAT’s mission is to provide professional-level training in Black Dance traditions, history, culture, and aesthetics that engages and empowers students to pursue careers in Black dance. www.5678hdat.org

Rev. Dr. Michael Diaz is the Senior Pastor of East Liberty Presbyterian Church—the Cathedral of Hope in Pittsburgh. Ordained in Metropolitan Community Churches and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), he brings more than seventeen years of pastoral leadership dedicated to building creative, inclusive, and transformative communities of faith. Dr. Diaz also serves on the Anti-Racism Transformation Team of the Pittsburgh Presbytery. As a lifelong percussionist, he believes in the power of the arts to help restore joy and strengthen the soul for the work of justice.

Pastor Deryck Tines and the Lemington Gospel Chorale

Pastor Deryck Tines is a gifted pianist and gospel artist, influenced by James Cleveland, Edwin and Walter Hawkins, and Andre Crouch. He is the founding director of the Lemington Gospel Chorale, a regional choir performing traditional gospel throughout Greater Pittsburgh and beyond. His live-recorded debut project We Shall Overcome Someday is available on major platforms. Tines is active across Western Pennsylvania, co-leading Free Holiness Churches and performing at concerts, festivals, and special events. Visit derycktines.com to learn more.

Kelly Strayhorn Theater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The fair market value (FMV) of Suite Life general admission tickets is $75 per Concert ticket and $150 per VIP Suite ticket. The portion of your payment that exceeds the FMV is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Pittsburgh-based multidisciplinary artist Morgan Overton (b.1993) transforms history, identity, and memory into commanding visual narratives, centering the Black American experience through portraiture, abstraction, archival collage, and symbolism. Her work explores ancestral memory, collective liberation, and intergenerational connection. She curated Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh and leads workshops on democracy and human rights. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including the U.S. Capitol Russell Senate Building, Spectrum Miami Art Fair, and the London Art Biennale (2025). Learn more at morganovertonart.com.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Allies for Health + Wellbeing is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that empowers individuals and communities through high-quality integrated medical care and supportive human services. We provide inclusive, holistic care that recognizes each client’s full lived experience, removing financial barriers and stigma to ensure access to the care they need. With nearly 40 years of experience, we build trusting relationships through inclusive primary care, HIV, hepatitis C, and STI testing and care, and gender-affirming services.

ARYSE

See bio above.

Healthy Start Inc. supports women, children, fathers, families, and communities through comprehensive community-based programming, systems coordination, advocacy, research, and training. Our programming spans Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties. We are part of a network of more than 100 community-based Healthy Start projects across the United States. Our goal is to make sure all families have access to affordable, quality care to improve maternal and child health outcomes and quality of life. healthystartpittsburgh.org.

KSci-Art Initiative is a mobile therapeutic art and empowerment program that brings creativity and healing directly to communities. Through engaging workshops, hands-on crafts, and meaningful conversations, KSci-Art uses the power of art to promote confidence, connection, and emotional wellness for youth, women, and families. From birthday parties to ladies’ nights, pop-ups in parks to partnerships with schools and teen programs, KSci-Art transforms everyday spaces into safe, creative, and joyful places for expression.

The mission of True T is celebrating queer people of color through creative art, community health, and social activism. Mrs. Tracey Bryant leads True T‘s Unique Jewelry Workshop at KST’s MLK Day! Join us for a hands-on journey, turning raw materials into one-of-a-kind craft jewelry under Mrs. Bryant’s expert guidance. Participants will create stunning masterpieces onsite, ensuring a unique and personalized experience. Don’t miss this chance to unleash your creativity and take home a bespoke work of art. truetpgh.com @truetpgh

ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER

Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices.

KST is an institutional arts anchor in Pittsburgh’s East End that has served the community for more than two decades. Since launching KST Presents programming in ’08, KST has been Black-led, fostering radical imagination for Black and queer arts, culture, and community in Pittsburgh by cultivating BIPOC and/or queer artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators, developing their careers, and shifting narratives around Black possibility.

RELEASE: KST’s 25th Anniversary: Suite Life Concert Brings Holiday Tradition Back with Musical Director Hugo Cruz

Hugo Cruz, Photo by Chad Isaiah

Celebrate KST’s 25th Anniversary and honor Billy Strayhorn & Gene Kelly on Saturday, November 29!

Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) invites audiences to celebrate its 25th anniversary and experience the beloved holiday concert Suite Life: A Celebration of Billy Strayhorn & Gene Kelly on Saturday, November 29, 7:30pm – 9:00pm. To honor KST’s namesakes and their contributions, Suite Life welcomes musical director Hugo Cruz back with his popular Cuban jazz renditions of Strayhorn’s music against the backdrop of Kelly’s visual legacy. With direction by Pria Dahiya, lighting design by El Wolhardt, and special musical guests, the evening promises a fresh take on beloved standards that the whole family can enjoy. VIP Soundcheck Reception tickets include preferred seating, a complimentary cocktail and catering by Secretos de mis Abuelos from 6:00pm – 7:00pm.

Over the past 25 years, KST has served an annual average of 165 artists, hosting 450 activations, and facilitating 600 subsidized rental programs through their Producing Partners program. “In the most recent programming year, KST welcomed more than 20,000 patrons through our doors, a reflection of our continued role as a creative home and cultural anchor for Pittsburgh’s arts community”, says KST’s Co-Executive Director Melanie Paglia.

“For a quarter of a century, Kelly Strayhorn Theater has stood as a beacon in Pittsburgh’s East End, a gathering place where generations have come together to imagine, build, and celebrate. Billy Strayhorn and Gene Kelly, two titans of their genres, inform our interest in performance that pushes boundaries while honoring the legacies of the greats who came before,” shares Co-Executive Joseph Hall.

Audience members from Suite Life 2024, Photo by Chad Isaiah

Suite Life offers jazz enthusiasts, families and friends, and KST supporters the opportunity to come together to celebrate the arts, music, and community. Returning musical director Hugo Cruz reveals that, “this year, we fuse Cuban, Afro-Cuban, and funk elements into timeless jazz. We are collaborating with a few new musicians to bring the audience a fresh and dynamic performance.” 

The exceptional group of internationally recognized, locally based musicians include J.D. Chaisson on trumpet, Craig Davis on piano, Chantal Joseph on vocals, Frank Cohen on trombone, Noel Quintana on percussion, Brian Stahurski on bass, and Mike Tomaro on saxophone. Expanding on the brass section, the concert is doubling the extravaganza. 

As the director of Suite Life and a KST Freshworks alum, Pria Dahiya returns to an artistic home, “KST places incredible trust and investment in its artists and is genuinely committed to attracting and retaining multidisciplinary talent in this region. I’ve built my entire artistic network through KST, connecting with artists across mediums and backgrounds I never would have encountered on my university campus”. 

“Honoring the roots of our city’s rich musical heritage, the event welcomes special guests whose families represent the enduring legacy of Pittsburgh jazz,” says Melike Konur, the Director of Advancement. The names of these guests will be announced closer to the date of the performance. 

The audience is invited to enjoy a VIP Soundcheck Reception from 6:00pm – 7:00pm by purchasing a Soundcheck ticket. VIP guests enjoy early entry, first choice of their preferred seating, a signature cocktail and light bites curated for the evening. A special and exclusive listen to one of the night’s musical selections with the artists highlights the soundcheck experience.

SUITE LIFE: A Celebration of Billy Strayhorn & Gene Kelly

Saturday, November 29, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm VIP Soundcheck | 7:30pm – 9:00pm Concert

Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.

Tickets for Suite Life are Pay What Moves You, $35 – $200 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

When purchasing your ticket, please consider adding a donation equal to or greater than your ticket price. Ticket sales cover only part of the cost, and your gift keeps Suite Life alive—supporting the artistry, lights, food, and seamless magic of the night. 

Kelly Strayhorn Theater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The fair market value (FMV) of Suite Life general admission tickets is $75 per Concert ticket and $150 per VIP Suite ticket. The portion of your payment that exceeds the FMV is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Hugo Cruz (Musical Director & Percussion) is a Cuban-born, award-winning, internationally renowned drummer and composer who has performed in South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, Chile, and Venezuela. Hugo is the leader of Caminos, who fuse rhythms and melodies of Afro-Cuban, Cuban, American jazz and funk styles. Caminos released their first original album Punto de Partida in 2022, and have made appearances at Fábrica de Artes in Havana, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, among others.

J.D. Chaisson (Trumpet) is a Pittsburgh-based trumpet player and a Duquesne University alumnus. He’s toured with many local and national artists as well as spent years on the road with the New Orleans-based funk band Dumpstaphunk. In Pittsburgh, J.D. performs regularly and teaches trumpet at Duquesne University.

Pria Dahiya (Director) is a theatre and film director crafting digitally-mediated live performances. Recent directing work: PLAY:BODY (New Product Company, 2025), My Sister’s Lipstick (New Hazlett Theatre, 2025), Suite Life (Kelly Strayhorn Theatre, 2024), Earth Angel (New Product Company, 2024), Love and Money (CMU Drama, 2024). Assistant Directing Work: The Adventures of Pussy Jones (Dir. Gab Cody, 2025), and Amm(i)gone (Dir. Adil Mansoor, KST Studios and The Theatre Offensive, 2021–2022). BFA: Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.

Craig Davis (Piano) is a seasoned jazz pianist with over 30 years of experience as a performer and educator. A Pittsburgh native, he studied under drummer Roger Humphries and earned degrees from Indiana University and Manhattan School of Music. He has performed with the Artie Shaw Orchestra and Sean Jones’ quintet, and debuted as a leader at NYC’s Kitano. His album Tone Paintings (MCG Jazz) earned 4½ stars in DownBeat and featured John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton.

Chantal Joseph (Vocal) is a dynamic and versatile musician and educator based in Pittsburgh, PA. Originally from Cape Cod, Chantal has played at the Newport Jazz Festival and with renowned ensembles such as the Boston Pops and Cape Symphony. She continues to perform with New York based Perry Rossi Orchestras. Since relocating to Pittsburgh, she has continued to captivate audiences and was even named Best R&B Performer by the Pittsburgh City Paper.

Frank Cohen (Trombone), a Pittsburgh native, moved to New York City at 18 to attend the Manhattan School of Music on full scholarship. A multi-GRAMMY and Latin-GRAMMY-winning trombonist, he’s known for his versatility across genres. Frank performs with Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Willie Colon, and others. As a freelancer, he’s worked with icons like Jay Z, Aretha Franklin, and Yo-Yo Ma. Outside music, he enjoys martial arts, travel, hockey, and discovering new restaurants

Noel Quintana (Percussion), aka “Mr. Conga,” is a Latin music percussionist, bandleader, and historian with over 30 years of experience. He studied Afro-Caribbean styles in New York, performed with legends like Tito Puente, and led bands in both NYC and Ohio. Now based in Pittsburgh, he tours with his band, teaches Latin percussion, and hosts a radio show on Latin Jazz and Salsa. His band, The Latin Crew, performs regularly across the region.

Brian Stahurski (Bass) received his formal education at Duquesne University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance in 1989 while studying with Jeffrey Mangone, and a Master’s degree in Performance in 1992 while studying with Anthony Bianco. Since then he has performed with the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra, major Broadway touring productions, the Wheeling Symphony, WQED’s Live from Studio A on PBS television and various Jazz, Blues, Salsa, Pop and Rock artists around Pittsburgh.

Mike Tomaro (Sax) is a saxophonist, composer, arranger and jazz educator. He recently retired from his position as Jazz Studies Program Director at Duquesne University. Mike is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Vandoren Diamond Artist. He has many credits to his name on nationally-released CDs, including 5 of his own and over 200 published compositions and arrangements. Mike is co-author of the textbook, Instrumental Jazz Arranging: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide.

E. Lieu Wolhardt (Lighting Designer) is a multi-cultural / multi-media / multi-disciplinary artist, as well as a lighting and projection designer. A child of globalization, their work addresses themes of violence, non-bodies, exilic spaces, self obsession, self repulsion, and the existential nature of being everything & nothing at all.

ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER

Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices.

KST is an institutional arts anchor in Pittsburgh’s East End that has served the community for more than two decades. Since launching KST Presents programming in ’08, KST has been Black-led, fostering radical imagination for Black and queer arts, culture, and community in Pittsburgh by cultivating BIPOC and/or queer artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators, developing their careers, and shifting narratives around Black possibility.

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RELEASE: Pumpkin Palooza, East Liberty’s Favorite Halloween Adventure Returns on Saturday, October 25

Community Activities, Performances, and a Costume Parade | Sponsored by Citizens

Photo Credit: Randall Coleman, Artwork by Kiearra Williams

EAST LIBERTY, PA — Pumpkin Palooza: An East Liberty Halloween Adventure returns to Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) on Saturday, October 25, with community activities, performances, and a costume parade. Families can enjoy candy, crafts, and fun activities with KST’s community partner organizations in the KST lobby from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. At 2:00pm, hosted by vocalist and educator Anqwenique, the performance program spotlights local youth arts groups from across the city.

From 1:00pm – 4:00pm, the KST lobby transforms into a Halloween hub filled with treats and family-friendly stations featuring community partner organizations based in Pittsburgh’s East End, including the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, Assemble, Youth Enrichment Services (YES), KSci-Art Initiative, and Dreams of Hope. Whether it’s upcycling crafts, face-painting, coloring, or Trick-or-Treat bag decorating, families can dive into hands-on fun that sparks imagination and creativity.

Artist Anqwenique hosts the youth performance program at 2:00pm, featuring Hope Academy, Alumni Theater Company, K-Theatre Dance Complex, and Los Sabrosos’ Breakin’ for the Kids. Alumni Theater Company (ATC) shares their excitement to participate in Pumpkin Palooza: “True to ATC’s tradition, we’ll deliver a performance filled with song, dance, and spoken word. As a former home of ATC, we love returning to perform at KST.” KST’s Programming Manager Sarah Gilmer also comments, “The long-standing relationships we have with this year’s performing partners remind us that KST is a true community staple in East Liberty, where generations of families and young artists continue to grow with us.”

The 2:00pm performance culminates on stage with a costume parade, where kids and families alike can strut their unique Halloween looks under the theater lights. Before leaving, kids are invited to scoop up tasty treats to bring home.

Since 2008, Pumpkin Palooza has been a staple for the community for 17 years, and KST is excited to continue this yearly tradition. Whether you come dressed to impress or simply as you are, Pumpkin Palooza promises an afternoon of tricks, treats, and groovy beats.

Pumpkin Palooza: An East Liberty Halloween Adventure
Saturday, October 25, 2025
1:00pm – 4:00pm: Activities with Community Partners
2:00pm – 3:00pm: Youth Performance Program
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $0 – $25

Tickets for Pumpkin Palooza are available on a sliding scale, from $0 to $25 per attendee, and can be purchased at kelly-strayhorn.org or at the door.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

Anqwenique is a celebrated Pittsburgh-based artist, educator, and cultural leader known for her work across opera, jazz, and soul. At this year’s Pumpkin Palooza, she’ll bring her signature warmth and expertise as host. A longtime teaching artist and program designer, she leads vocal wellness workshops, consults with cultural organizations, and currently serves as president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Association of Negro Musicians and interim director of Hope Academy for Music and the Arts.

Hope Academy for Music and the Arts is is where young people can further their personal and artistic growth through the study and performance of theater, dance and music. Founded and located at East Liberty Presbyterian Church,

K-Theatre Dance Complex (KTDC), is a dance academy that provides quality dance instruction in several major areas of dance, which include Ballet, Contemporary, Modern and Hip Hop. Led by Artistic Director Kontara Morphis, and Arts Education Director Rickia Davenport, KTDC curriculum incorporates dance theory, terminology and dance theater. KTDC has largely impacted the physical, academic, creative, and personal development of its students.

Alumni Theater Company (ATC) is a year-round program providing talented Black youth in grades 6-12 with high quality performing arts training and a platform to express their ideas. ATC is currently in its 18th season of creating bold theatrical work that gives fresh voice to the experience of young Black artists and highlights their rich contribution to our community. alumnitheatercompany.org

Los Sabrosos Dance Company is a dance and fitness organization whose mission is to help individuals find freedom, passion, self-expression, and self-confidence through movement. They offer group and private dance classes in a variety of styles including Salsa, Bachata, Ballroom classes (Waltz, Jive, Rumba, etc), Yoga, Hip-Hop, Bellydance, Zumba, fitness classes, and many more. They also offer services for weddings, quinceañeras, sweet sixteens, bachelorette and more! For information on upcoming classes and other services visit lspgh.com.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse is a non-profit that inspires creativity, conservation, and community engagement through reuse. We operate a non-traditional art supply shop located at the intersection of Wilkinsburg, Homewood, and Point Breeze, where people can donate used art and craft supplies, as well as shop for these unique items all in the same location. We also facilitate hands-on creative programming that educates the public about the benefits of reuse for the environment, community, and self. We see reuse as a vehicle for boosting self-confidence, learning new skills, and creating opportunity for all. For more information, visit our website at pccr.org.

Assemble envisions a world where learning and creating are transformative experiences and where all people are equipped with the tools to make a difference, together. At Assemble, we use learning as a tool to create a more equitable future for youth and learners in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. We build confidence through making; connect learners, makers, technologists, and artists; and nurture agency in learners. We offer free afterschool, Saturday programs, camps, and more for kids as well as adult programs. Visit us at Assemble 4824 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, assemblepgh.org or online using @assemblepgh on social media.

Youth Enrichment Services (YES), based in East Liberty, provides socially and economically at risk youth the opportunity to achieve success through participation in mentorship, education, and enrichment programs. Through mentoring partnerships, peer assisted tutoring programs, and — when needed — monitoring and mentoring programs for juvenile offenders, YES invests its talent, energy, time, and resources in empowering and enriching the lives of children and teens. YES provides responsive, innovative, and youth-designed programs that offer young people unique academic, enrichment, and employment experiences. Youthenrichmentservices.org @yes.pgh

KSci-Art Initiative is a mobile therapeutic art and empowerment program that brings creativity and healing directly to communities. Through engaging workshops, hands-on crafts, and meaningful conversations, KSci-Art uses the power of art to promote confidence, connection, and emotional wellness for youth, women, and families. From birthday parties to ladies’ nights, pop-ups in parks to partnerships with schools and teen programs, KSci-Art transforms everyday spaces into safe, creative, and joyful places for expression.

Dreams of Hope empowers the region’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, asexual, and allied (LGBTQA+) youth through the arts, creating a welcoming environment where they grow in confidence, express themselves, and develop as leaders. Serving primarily ages 13-26, we also offer intergenerational spaces for community members. Visit dreamsofhope.org to learn more about our upcoming programs and events, including theatriQ, our weekly performing arts youth ensemble that meets on Wednesdays from October to April.

ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER

Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices.

KST is an institutional arts anchor in Pittsburgh’s East End that has served the community for more than two decades. Since launching KST Presents programming in ’08, KST has been Black-led, fostering radical imagination for Black and queer arts, culture, and community in Pittsburgh by cultivating BIPOC and/or queer artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators, developing their careers, and shifting narratives around Black possibility.

RELEASE: New Freshworks Performances in Progress: Moire del Carmen’s Baquiné and Rickia Davenport’s The Choice

KST showcases two new artistic inquiries: one by a queer artist reclaiming identity and loss through Puerto Rican tradition, and another uplifting the strength of African American women navigating reproductive health struggles.

Moire del Carmen, Photo Credit: Courtesy of Moire del Carmen

PITTSBURGH, PA – This fall, Kelly Strayhorn Theater’s Freshworks creative residency returns to KST’s Alloy Studios, showcasing two new performance works-in-progress that transform deeply personal experiences into collective celebrations of resilience, imagination, and community. On Friday and Saturday, October 3 – 4, Moire del Carmen shares Baquiné, a theater work drawing from the Afro-Caribbean tradition in Puerto Rico that celebrates a child’s passing as the birth of an angel. Rickia Davenport’s dance-theater piece, The Choice, explores the complex reproductive health challenges faced by African American women and the power of their voice on Friday & Saturday, November 7 – 8.

Written and performed by Puerto Rican trans artist Moire del Carmen, Baquiné is an absurd romp through death and back. This humorous one-act play follows Moire and her friends as they grapple with loss, trying to make art while the seductive pull of death threatens to consume them. Moire shares, “In Puerto Rico, it is believed that when a child dies, it is not a cause for mourning because an angel is born from their innocent soul.”

This tradition carries deeper meaning for Moire as a trans woman who has also lost a close trans friend. “Since coming out, the idea of my funeral has haunted me. Will I be buried in cropped hair and a suit? Since I’ve only lived as myself for four years, I feel like a child of sorts,” she reflects. “Some years ago, I lost a close friend who was also trans. I became obsessed with using theater to speak to him again. I began having visions of trans people in a fabulous afterlife, in their highest glam, celebrating and ironically singing to ‘Hell’ by the Squirrel Nut Zippers.” Inspired by Moire’s lived queer experience, Baquiné explores what happens when grief is met with laughter, love, and the transformative power of art.

Rickia Davenport, Photo Credit: Courtesy of Rickia Davenport

Directed and choreographed by Rickia Davenport, The Choice blends contemporary, hip-hop, and modern dance with compelling visuals, crafting a deeply personal yet universal story of struggle, resilience, and hope. Topics like motherhood, child loss, bodily autonomy, and societal expectations collide in this intimate performance.

Despite her traumatic experience of child-loss at birth, Rickia decides to brave through her vulnerability and share the complex reproductive health challenges faced by African American women through her work: “‘The voice of the voiceless’ is my goal throughout the entire show. What happened to my son and me could have been prevented with the right care and attention during my pregnancy. Our voices, mine and my son’s, were significant then, and they carry even more weight today”. Through movement and storytelling, Rickia calls for African American women to be proactive, empowered, and supported in their healthcare journeys. “My hope is that this work can provide healing, impart knowledge, and inspire meaningful change in the medical field for others who may share similar experiences”, said Rickia.

Kelly Strayhorn Theater invites audiences to witness Moire and Rickia’s creative process and be collectively inspired by their journey of healing. Through artistic experimentation, they honor what has been lost while celebrating what endures: love, community, and the unbreakable spirit of creation.

Moire del Carmen: Baquiné

Friday & Saturday, October 3 – 4, 2025 | with post-show discussion

KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.

Tickets are Pay What Moves You, $15 – $30 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

Content Disclosure: This performance includes strong language, partial nudity, and simulated substance use, as well as mention of death and suicide, substance abuse, and sexual assault.

Rickia Davenport: The Choice

Friday & Saturday, November 7 – 8, 2025 | with post-show discussion

KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.

Tickets are Pay What Moves You, $15 – $30 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Moire del Carmenis a multidisciplinary artist and actress from Puerto Rico, whose work blends functionality, craft, costuming, and portraiture. With an MFA in Costume Production from Carnegie Mellon University, she bridges craft and performance, using costuming as a tool to embody and dramatize the experiences of trans women, drawing inspiration from drag culture. She views the manipulation of thread and fabric as an affirmation of her gender identity, while reflecting on the historical undervaluing of “domestic arts.”

Rickia Davenport, a proud native of Pittsburgh’s Hill District and South Hills, has dedicated over 12 years to shaping students’ lives through dance and fitness. With a strong background in Hip-Hop, Ballet, Contemporary Dance, and Fitness, Rickia’s teaching reflects her life’s journey. Currently, she serves as the Arts Education Director at K-Theatre Dance Complex and as a lead Teaching Artist for Propel Charter Schools. Rickia has also forged impactful partnerships with organizations like Voices Against Violence, Gwens Girls, and more.

ABOUT FRESHWORKS

Freshworks is KST’s creative residency for emerging artists and collaborators based in the greater Pittsburgh region. Freshworks made its debut in 2013 and supports playful exploration in performance through interdisciplinary work in contemporary dance, theater, music, and multimedia.

The program provides emerging artists with planning support and guidance, studio space, production staff, lighting and sound design, a stipend and resource budget, and encouragement for creative risk taking. Artists are invited to apply either as an individual or as a collaborative group. Artists without extensive experience in new work development are highly encouraged to apply. This residency is dedicated to nurturing those who are just beginning to explore original work, providing a unique opportunity for experimentation and artistic growth.

ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER

Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices.

KST is an institutional arts anchor in Pittsburgh’s East End that has served the community for more than two decades. Since launching KST Presents programming in ’08, KST has been Black-led, fostering radical imagination for Black and queer arts, culture, and community in Pittsburgh by cultivating BIPOC and/or queer artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators, developing their careers, and shifting narratives around Black possibility.

Who Owns Culture? Questions and Answers From a Kelly Strayhorn Symposium

Panelists from “Transformative Operational Practices” discuss innovative working and programmatic models within BIPOC-led cultural institutions at “Owning Our Future: A Symposium on BIPOC Institutional Ownership,” presented by Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh in May. (Photo by Mark Simpson)

As theatres across the country face financial uncertainty due to shifts in cultural attitudes and legal challenges to arts funding, last spring the team at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh hosted a symposium called “Owning Our Future: A Symposium on BIPOC Institutional Ownership.” BIPOC arts administrators from across the country were invited to raise (and hopefully answer) timely questions about cultural ownership and the future. Mingsi Ma, marketing specialist at the Kelly Strayhorn, shares her perspective on the symposium and imagines a future when community ownership of the arts goes beyond physical space.

By Mingsi Ma

In May 2025, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) presented “Owning Our Future: A Symposium on BIPOC Institutional Ownership,” bringing together visionary leaders from across the country in art, activism, urban planning, philanthropy, and government to envision a future for BIPOC-led cultural spaces. We built the symposium around a few central questions: What does it mean to own a BIPOC institution financially, operationally, and physically? And how can we think beyond brick-and-mortar spaces to the point where our communities own their culture, ideas, and bodies? In other words, what does cultural ownership mean to us?

“Owning Our Future” was the culmination of so much that KST has been working toward, especially in connecting cultural institutions to national movements, including Black institutional ownership and the Land Back movement. It explores more deeply how ownership enables BIPOC-led organizations to operate more equitably and impactfully with their communities. The themes at the heart of the symposium are as urgent now as they were during the pandemic, when the country was reckoning with racial injustice—a reckoning that remains unresolved.

Keynote speaker and cultural strategist Lisa Yancey opened the symposium with a powerful address underlining the interconnectedness of cultural and economic strategies as well as the economic value of investing in culture. Panel discussions such as “Transformative Operational Practices: Building Collaborative and Adaptive Organizational Structures,” “Envisioning The Future: Designing Community-Centric Spaces for Cultural Empowerment,” and more were designed to open our minds to diverse forms of artistic programs, community engagement, and civic empowerment.

Keynote speaker Lisa Yancey encouraged the audience to break into groups and imagine together what Pittsburgh will look like in 2040 at “Owning Our Future: A Symposium on BIPOC Institutional Ownership,” presented by Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh in May. (Photo by Beth Barbis)

It was uplifting to see people across the country coming together in our beloved theatre to share their experiences and to look beyond traditional artistic programming strategies, within and outside of the physical confines of a cultural space. Lara M. Evans from First Peoples Fund at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation showed how they support Indigenous communities by consulting the people they serve to determine their programming. Representatives from Pittsburgh’s 1Hood Media discussed how they chose to launch a 501(c)(4) arm of the organization in order to add civic and political engagement to their already strong suite of community and media programs.

Other highlights included a specific focus on successful financial models. We heard from experts like Darren Isom from The Bridgespan Group, which provides management consulting to nonprofits and philanthropists. In his remarks, Isom shared how endowments can be used as tools to achieve bold goals, address new social challenges and advance racial equity. Architect Allan Co from Crescere Collaborative was also on hand, inspiring the audience with ideas on how to evolve beyond physical space with community-based approaches to property ownership and redevelopment. In a true cross-sector conversation, the symposium culminated with a compelling keynote from Busboys and Poets founder Andy Shallal, who talked about the alchemy of restaurants, bookstores and community gathering places.

Panelists from “Radical Financial Innovation” answering questions at “Owning Our Future: A Symposium on BIPOC Institutional Ownership,” presented by Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh in May. (Photo by Mark Simpson)

While the symposium is over, we take it as the starting point as we look ahead to the future, recognizing an impending shift in the cultural landscape. Specifically for KST, the lease on our century-old neighborhood home at 5941 Penn Ave. will come to an end in 2029, with no option to renew or purchase. While we grieve the loss of this beloved community anchor, we also celebrate the profound opportunity it presents: the chance to create a 21st century theatre that enables BIPOC communities’ cultural ownership. We are keen on finding another home in the East End of Pittsburgh, continuing our mission to provide a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people.

When we created our strategic direction, “Owning Our Future, Thriving Where We Live” in 2021, we boldly pictured what a day at the future KST will look like:

Community members rooted in East Liberty for generations find a place to sit and chat in the harvest-abundant KST community garden, pedestrians stopping for a drink at the beloved theatre’s coffee shop and gallery. Dancers are leaving KST rehearsal studios with towels in hand. Their residence with saunas, gym, acupuncture and massage studios—all open to local communities as well—is just around the corner at a KST-owned building.

For the symposium, the Kelly Strrayhorn lobby was transformed into a performance and communal space, echoing our vision of cultivating a sense of belonging and creating a “home” for the community. (Photo by Beth Barbis)

One of the keywords that appeared many times throughout the symposium is “reimagine.” It often stems from contexts where historically underserved communities, particularly communities of color, experience cultural displacement and disinvestment. Still, now is the opportunity to reimagine a more just future where everyone has the opportunity to bring their perspectives to the table and embrace our body, mind and soul, which define our culture. We write our culture with the arts, and it is now time to reimagine institutional and cultural ownership.

To continue the impact on KST’s “Owning Our Future” symposium, keynote speeches and panel discussions available for rewatch on YouTube. The Livestream Recording Pass is Pay What Moves You from  $15-$75.

RELEASE: Dance-Theater, Disco, Queer Memory: David Roussève/REALITY’s World Premiere and Pittsburgh Queer History Project’s New Exhibit

This September, KST explores queer memory with a community dinner, workshop, and a two-night world premiere of Becoming Daddy AF, alongside a new exhibit on an East Liberty after-hours queer disco from 1970 to 1981.

David Roussève/REALITY’s World Premiere of Becoming Daddy AF, Photo by Ryan Harper

PITTSBURGH, PA – Throughout September, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) uplifts queer memory through a constellation of performance, exhibition, and community events. Celebrated artist David Roussève/REALITY returns to KST with the world premiere of Becoming Daddy AF on Friday and Saturday, September 26 – 27. Earlier on opening night, Friday, September 26, at 5:30pm, KST also opens Calendar Girls in the House of Tilden, an archival exhibition from the Pittsburgh Queer History Project (PQHP) exploring East Liberty’s after-hours queer disco scene from 1970 to 1981. Before the premiere, the public is invited to engage with Roussève at the Citizens Community Dinner on Monday, September 15, followed by Kinetic Conversations, an artist feedback workshop, on Saturday, September 20.

At the center of this constellation of events is Becoming Daddy AF, Roussève’s first evening-length solo performance in 25 years. This dance-theater piece is a moving portrait of a queer African American man aware of his aging, which consequently leads to this powerful meditation on life’s purpose. Roussève blends the ancestral genealogy with his journey living with HIV and the profound loss of his husband of 26 years.

The work weaves together kinetic movement and intimate, non-linear queer storytelling to ruminate on profound moments of love and grief and serve as a life archive. As an acclaimed choreographer, Roussève incorporates movements from his repertoire over 40 years throughout this new work. “We bring ourselves out of the mundane of the everyday. And that’s what dance is meant to do: investigate those deeper, metaphoric, poetic meanings, and text tells the actual, literal narrative story,” said Roussève.

To further connect the community with Becoming Daddy AF, KST invites audience members to join the Citizens Community Dinner with Roussève on Monday, September 15. The evening features a buffet dinner and a conversation between Roussève and KST Programming Director Ben Pryor. Roussève is also leading the public-facing artist feedback workshop, Kinetic Conversations, on Saturday, September 20. It invites four Pittsburgh-based dance groups: Nick Daniels/D.A.N.A. Movement Ensemble, Shana Simmons Dance, Mitchiyaya Dance, and K-Theatre Dance Complex, to demonstrate their works in progress in front of a general audience and receive feedback from Roussève.

Calendar Girls in the House of Tilden, Courtesy of Pittsburgh Queer History Project

Alongside Becoming Daddy AF, KST highlights Pittsburgh’s own queer history through the exhibition Calendar Girls in the House of Tilden, curated by the co-founder of the Pittsburgh Queer History Project, Dr. Harrison Apple. From 1970 to 1981, House of Tilden (H.O.T.), founded by Robert “Lucky” Johns, was a hallmark after-hours queer disco and a key site of subcultural politics and pleasure during the neighborhood’s mid-century upheaval. The archive documents the vibrant nightlife at H.O.T. and the early queer, trans, and performers of color who dominated the disco era. Paired with Roussève’s deeply personal premiere, the opening of Calendar Girls in the House of Tilden offers audiences another perspective on queering and queering history in East Liberty.

Beyond dance, disco, and the queens, Dr. Apple explains, “H.O.T. was part of the underground networks where power can be created in ways that are not part of our political system or our policing system. And it was about four blocks away from where Kelly Strayhorn is now. Both these places help a lot of people find their way in the city.”

Dr. Apple has also prepared a limited amount of special handmade prints from Lucky’s archive that visitors are welcome to take home at the opening reception on Friday, Saturday, 26. “You may have missed the party, but it is never too late to become a fan!” said Dr. Apple.

Becoming Daddy AF

Friday & Saturday, September 26 – 27, 2025 | 7:30pm – 9:10pm

Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.

Tickets for Becoming Daddy AF are Pay What Moves You, $20 – $35 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

Pittsburgh Queer History Project: Calendar Girls in the House of Tilden

Opening Reception: Friday, September 26, 2025 | 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Friday, September 26, 2025 – Saturday, January 10, 2026

Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.

Tickets for the Opening Reception are Pay What Moves You, $0 – $20 per attendee, and can be reserved here

Citizens Community Dinner with David Roussève/REALITY

Monday, September 15, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.

Tickets for the Citizens Community Dinner are Pay What Moves You, $0 – $25 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

Kinetic Conversations with David Roussève/REALITY

Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm

KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.

Tickets for Kinetic Conversations are Pay What Moves You, $10 – $25 per attendee, and can be reserved here.

PHOTOS:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Uk_P8k2-cqeAFLkzYg5AS87H08Z8kWw-?usp=sharing

Becoming Daddy AF’s TEASER VIDEO:
https://vimeo.com/1044659245

STYLE NOTES:

Roussève requires the grave accent on the first “è”
No space on either side of the slash before REALITY
REALITY should be set in all caps

Spell Kelly Strayhorn Theater without a hyphen between “Kelly” and “Strayhorn”

CREDITS:

Written, Created, and Performed by David Roussève

Dramaturgy by Charlotte Brathwaite

Video design by Meena Murugesan

Sound design by d. Sabela grimes

Lighting design Christopher Kuhl

Costume design by Leah Piehl

Technical assistance by Padra Crisafull

Early stage dramaturgy by Julie Tolentino

Additional production support from Harper Justus and Leanne Iacovetta Poirier

Management and producorial support by George Lugg

KST’s presentation of Becoming Daddy AF is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts; the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Foundation and the Mellon Foundation; and the National Performance Network (NPN) Artist Engagement Fund.

Becoming Daddy AF is a National Performance Network Creation & Development Fund Project co-commissioned by Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, Kelly Strayhorn Theater, National Center for Choreography Akron, and MASS MoCA with Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Becoming Daddy AF was created with support from Danspace Project, UCLA’s Chancellor’s Research Fund and The Chancellor’s Arts Initiative. Becoming Daddy AF is made possible with generous support from the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project with lead funding from the Doris Duke Foundation and the Mellon Foundation, and a MAP Fund creation grant.

To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov. More information: www.npnweb.org

ABOUT THE ARTISTS – BECOMING DADDY AF

David Roussève, is a choreographer/writer/director/performer, magna cum laude graduate of Princeton University, and a Guggenheim Fellow. He is known for his dynamic, socially conscious dance/theater that uniquely blends contemporary dance, theater, and multimedia elements to create immersive and thought-provoking performances. His work draws inspiration from the stories of marginalized communities, as it explores complex themes related to identity, social justice, and human connection. Roussève founded the dance/theater company David Roussève/REALITY in 1988 in New York, and REALITY has since toured throughout the US, Europe, Great Britain, and South America.

Charlotte Brathwaite is an award-winning artist and director whose genre-defying works illuminate the realities and dreams of those whose stories have been silenced or ignored. Working at the intersection of dance, theater, music, film, ritual, and installation, her practice centers storytelling as a site of resistance, remembrance, and radical possibility. Brathwaite has created work alongside Meshell Ndegeocello, Justin Hicks, Jacqueline Woodson, Kyle Abraham, Peter Sellars, and Malick Welli, and currently collaborates as dramaturg for David Roussève/REALITY.

d. Sabela grimes is a trans-media storyteller, sonic ARKivist, and movement composer whose work blends sound, movement, and visual art. Rooted in Black vernacular and Hip Hop/Street dance, he created Funkamental MediKinetics, a unique movement system. A faculty member at USC Kaufman, he’s received a Bessie Award, a USA Rockefeller Fellowship, and USC’s Associates Award. Current work includes Parable of Portals with Meena Murugesan, inspired by Octavia Butler’s life and writings.

Christopher Kuhl is a lighting, scenic, and installation designer for theater, dance, and opera. His work includes Dog Days, The Object Lesson, The Source, Straight White Men, and Cipher, presented at venues like BAM, REDCAT, The Public Theater, and Centre Pompidou. He has received Bessie, Ovation, Sherwood, Drammy, and Horton awards. Originally from New Mexico, Kuhl is a graduate of CalArts and is known for his bold, immersive visual design.

Meena Murugesan is a video and movement artist based in Los Angeles (Tongva-Kizh land), creating experimental, non-linear narratives exploring social issues. Their project Dravidian Futurities investigates casteism, colorism, trance rituals, and the mythic land Kumari Kandam. Meena has designed videos for artists like Marjani Forte-Saunders (Bessie Award 2019), Christopher Emile, and D’Lo, with work shown at The Getty, MOCA, The Broad, Jacob’s Pillow, Sophiensaele, and more.

Julie Tolentino is an interdisciplinary artist working in durational performance, installation, scent, and text. Their work has been exhibited at the Whitney Biennial, The Kitchen, and the New Museum, as well as internationally. Collaborations include projects with Kia LaBeija, Cynthia Madansky, and the HIV Doula Collective. Founder of the Clit Club (1990–2002), Tolentino is senior editor of TDR – The Drama Review and earned an MFA from UC Riverside in Experimental Choreography in 2020.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS – CALENDAR GIRLS IN THE HOUSE OF TILDEN

Harrison Apple is co-founder of the Pittsburgh Queer History Project with Dr. Tim Haggerty. Their artistic and scholastic research focuses regional LGBT political community in mid-century Pittsburgh. They received their PhD in Gender & Women’s Studies and Information Science from the University of Arizona. They are the Associate Director of the Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry in the College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University.

ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER

Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices.

KST is an institutional arts anchor in Pittsburgh’s East End that has served the community for more than two decades. Since launching KST Presents programming in ’08, KST has been Black-led, fostering radical imagination for Black and queer arts, culture, and community in Pittsburgh by cultivating BIPOC and/or queer artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators, developing their careers, and shifting narratives around Black possibility.

RELEASE: KST’s House Party: Lavender Wave Rises with Unstoppable Pride and Celebrates Queer Resilience

The Saturday, July 12 benefit features exceptional performances from Jasmine Hearn, Zuly Inirio, and a bumping dance floor. 

Design by Heidi Wiren Kébé

Pittsburgh, PA – Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) invites attendees to come together at their annual benefit House Party on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 5941 Penn Ave. Born from the ashes of the Lavender Scare, an era of persecution that queer resilience turned into a spark of revolution, this year’s theme Lavender Wave rises with unstoppable pride. The event comprises a VIP Reception and a Dance Party, with tickets available between $50 – $325. 

Between the 1940s and the 1960s, there was a period of time known as the Lavender Scare, when queer federal employees were targeted, interrogated, accused, and fired or forced to resign because of their sexuality and who they were. Despite the panic, the country saw a rise in gay rights movements and LGB leaders and organizations like Frank Kameny, The Mattachine Society, and the Daughters of Bilitis, who laid the groundwork for a new era of activism, visibility, and resistance.

House Party: Lavender Wave pays homage to the great LGBTQ+  forerunners whose courage sparks a revolution that still inspires us today to act up and fight back. House Party highlights KST’s mission as a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people.

KST’s Co-Executive Director Joseph Hall shares, “Lavender Wave honors those who stood tall in the face of adversity and helped pave the way for future generations. It invites us to reflect on the struggles and acts of resistance that brought us here, to celebrate how far we’ve come, and to continue the fight against oppressive governments for our liberation”.

Audience members dancing in the previous House Party, Photo by Chad Isaiah

This year, at the VIP Reception, attendees will experience the mesmerizing energy of dance artist Jasmine Hearn and the electrifying vocals of opera soprano Zuly Inirio. KST will again transform their historic lobby with stunning design by media artist Scott Andrew, along with visuals of admirable LGBTQ+ leaders who guide people through the revolution. At the Dance Party, DJ Herman Pearl and Jazz Bailey will turn up the energy, filling the space with unforgettable beats and joyful celebration. Guests can also gather in the lobby for a fun photo booth experience and a splash of extra jazz with Danielle “Whuttie” Stewart’s face painting.

KST is a community anchor and economic driver in East Liberty, contributing $2.2 million to the local economy annually, and 74% of KST audiences visit one or more local businesses during their visit to a KST event. Tickets and contributions generated from House Party support KST’s Fall 2025 season of programming. 

What makes this year’s celebration especially meaningful is that the audience can choose to have the proceeds from their Dance Party tickets support KST or a past or present KST Mutual Aid Resident, including PearlArts Movement & Sound and Dreams of Hope. This reflects KST’s ongoing commitment to collective care and creative community building. 

Artistic Director Bekezela Mguni of Dreams of Hope, Pittsburgh’s premier arts-focused organization for queer young people expressed her excitement for House Party: “KST has been our home base for many years. We have offered community workshops, held gatherings, rehearsals, and showcases to provide a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ youth to grow in confidence, express themselves, and develop as leaders. Being part of House Party and reclaiming this wave of dreaming, community-building, and queer future-making as our own means a lot to us.” 

To learn more about Kelly Strayhorn Theater, please visit Kelly-Strayhorn.org 

House Party: A Benefit for Kelly Strayhorn Theater

Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 7:00pm – 9:00pm VIP Reception | 9:00pm – 12:00am Dance Party

Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.

Tickets for House Party are $175 – $325 per attendee of the Immersive VIP Reception, or $50 – $100 per attendee of the Dance Party, and can be reserved here.

Immersive VIP Reception tickets include all-night open bar access, a catered buffet, and live performances. Dance Party tickets include one complimentary beverage from the cash bar and performances from local DJs.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Jasmine Hearn, born and raised on occupied Akokisa lands (Houston, TX), is an interdisciplinary artist, teacher, doula, performer, and organizer. Jasmine, recently named one of Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch (2025), is a recipient of a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Grants to Artists award (2023), Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon Polsky Rome Prize in Design with collaborator Athena Kokoronis of Domestic Performance Agency (2023), a Creative Capital Award (2022) for current project, Memory Fleet, a Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship (2019), NY Dance and Performance “Bessie” Awards for Outstanding Performer (2021, 2017* with the skeleton architecture). 

Afro-Latina soprano, scholar, and TEDx speaker Zuly Inirio is originally from the Dominican Republic and has performed as a soloist throughout the United States and Europe. She is the founder of the Afro-Latinx Song & Opera Project, which commissions new works centering Afro-Latin and Afro-Latinx communities and works to decolonize the classical music canon by uplifting the voices of Afro-Latin American composers. Zuly is also the founder and Executive Director of Instituto Cimarrón, an organization dedicated to advancing the cultural and artistic legacies of marginalized communities of color through research, education, and performance. Her work builds bridges between tradition and transformation, using voice and story as powerful tools for justice, belonging, and joy.

Scott Andrew (Media Designer)  b. 1982, Waynesburg, PA, is a multimedia queer-oriented visual artist, media designer, educator, and curator. Scott is an Assistant Teaching Professor in Studio Arts at the University of Pittsburgh and an adjunct Professor in the School of Art at CMU. Recent projects include ’Suite Life’ and ‘House Party’ at KST, ‘Ego’ and ‘Dragonfly Dawn’ at the New Hazlett Theater, ‘sum of y’all’ by PearlArts Movement + Sound, and ’The Marthaodyssey’, by dance artist Jesse Factor.

Danielle “Whuttie” Stewart is the creative force behind Face 2 Face with Whuttie. A Braddock native that has always had a love for art — even while earning her Master’s in Criminal Justice Administration from Point Park University. Nineteen years ago, friends and family asked (okay, insisted) she paint at their parties. What started as a favor quickly became a passion. Today, she brings color, joy, and imagination to birthdays, school events, community days, festivals, and more.

HOUSE PARTY HOST COMMITTEE

Rep. Jessica Benham

John Binz

Donny Donovan & Gina Winstead

Ephorm Freeman

Dr. Cecilia Golden

Jake Goodman

Kathleen & Christopher Green

Caitlin Green & Upendo Tookas

Maria & Frank Guyette

Erin Ickes

Stacey Jarrell

Shenay Jeffrey

Marion Lewis

Morgan Overton

Chris Rafalski

Karla Stallworth

Karl & Bea Thomas

ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER 

Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices.

KST is an institutional arts anchor in Pittsburgh’s East End that has served the community for more than two decades. Since launching KST Presents programming in ’08, KST has been Black-led, fostering radical imagination for Black and queer arts, culture, and community in Pittsburgh by cultivating BIPOC and/or queer artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators, developing their careers, and shifting narratives around Black possibility.