FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kelly Strayhorn Theater Announces Fall 2023 Season: Brave Actions Bold Voices

Published: August 3, 2023

The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is –
it’s to imagine what is possible.

– bell hooks

EAST LIBERTY, PA— The KST Presents Fall 2023 season is about celebrating the brave actions and bold voices of the artists, audiences, and communities who call KST home. The season features new offerings from Mutual Aid Residents Dreams of Hope and PearlArts, a visual art exhibition in the BOOM Gallery, two Freshworks Performances in Progress, and premieres of Local and Global Performances from longtime Pittsburgh favorites and returning faces.

Our Mutual Aid Residencies continue to support Dreams of Hope and PearlArts with administrative facilities and space for ongoing classes and events. This fall, Dreams of Hope hosts the theatriQ educational workshop series, offering queer creatives ages 13 – 26 a space to learn, discuss, and connect through a plethora of topics pertaining to theater and the performing arts. PearlArts brings together Soy Sos and Ali Berger, and later Soy Sos, James Johnson III, and Erik Lawrence for two editions of the music and dance staple, Synchronized with Soy Sos. Later in the season, a dance-focused PearlPRESENTS will feature SPdp&SS founder Staycee Pearl alongside choreographers Raphael Xavier and Chitra Subramanian.

Curated by DS Kinsel, the BOOM Gallery, located in KST’s historic 1914 lobby, presents Eternal Maternal. Featuring artworks from interdisciplinary artists Fran Flaherty and Meg Foley, the exhibition centers motherhood both as an active pursuit and a fundamental state of existence, irrespective of and subject to gender. Visit the gallery before performances from the opening on Monday, September 18 and Sunday, December 17 to experience the artists’ unique interpretations of the sacred practice.

Our Fall 2023 Freshworks Residencies support exciting new performance works in process. On October 6 and 7, Pria Dahiya shares a “play-adjacent performance work” You and Me and The End of the World” that touches on loneliness and coming of age through a pandemic. On December 1 and 2, Andraya Rand-Mathis presents dance, music, and drag in Diving Within, part of a healing process from grief, heartbreak, and childhood trauma.

KST’s Youth and Family programs feature a revamped Halloween celebration. Bring the whole crew to join us for Pumpkin Palooza, An East Liberty Halloween Adventure! There will be tricks, treats, performances, and crafts from community partners. Tune in August 10 for our complete Fall 2023 offerings from The Alloy School.

The KST Presents Local and Global Performance series welcomes Blood Baby from Detroit/Philadelphia-based artist Meg Foley, featuring four works from the series (Primordial, Queer Parent Convening, Communion, and Touch Library). Foley shares the performance Communion on Friday and Saturday, September 22 – 23. Don’t miss the Welcome Dinner & Artist Talk on September 18, where Foley will be in conversation with Fran Flarety; The Embodied Imaginary, a workshop with Foley on September 20; and a Queer Parent Convening later that evening. On December 8 and 9, Pittsburgh’s own superduo slowdanger takes to the KST mainstage with SUPERCELL, a new work addressing climate change and media sensitization. Join artists anna thompson and taylor knight for a Welcome Dinner & Artist Talk on December 4, and their workshop Demystifying the Box on December 6.

Finally, the Fall season wouldn’t be complete without Suite Life, our annual celebration of KST namesakes Billy Strayhorn and Gene Kelly! Join us on Saturday, November 25 for a VIP reception and eclectic performance celebrating these Pittsburgh legends and artistic champions.

There is so much to be explored in the voices and actions of artists across the KST Presents programs. We hope you will add your bravery and boldness to the mix by coming out to share in the work!

Download the .pdf here

MUTUAL AID RESIDENCY | MUSIC | DANCE
Synchronized with Soy Sauce
Featuring Ali Berger

Friday, September 15
7:30pm

KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $10 – $25

Click to Learn More…

LOCAL & GLOBAL PERFORMANCE | COMMUNITY
Welcome Dinner & Artist Talk
with Fran Flaherty & Meg Foley

Monday, September 18*
6:00pm*with ASL interpretation

Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $0 – $25

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kelly Strayhorn Theater Announces Fall 2023 Season: Brave Actions Bold Voices

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