Walking down Penn Ave, you might find yourself taking in the East Liberty Presbyterian Church in all its gothic glory, but I urge you to peel your eyes away and look across the street—at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater (KST). Tucked away between various shops and offices, you might find it hard to believe that this space houses a theater, but you’ll be pleased to hear that it has that and more. In fact, the KST has lots to offer.
As you approach the theater, you’ll notice, carved into its exterior, the word Regent. This was actually the theater’s former name when it opened as a silent film movie house in 1914, but the glowing neon blue sign that sits above it still marks the theater by its current name, ready to call all who are curious to its doors. This name, of course, pays homage to Pittsburgh natives Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn. Clearly the theater has undergone a lot of changes since 1914, but for now, we need to focus on KST’s future, not its past.
Today, the KST’s presence spans across two buildings in East Liberty; the original theater on Penn Ave as well as its newer companion, Alloy Studios which is about a 10 minute walk down the street, on the other side of Penn Ave. Where the theater is all traditional engravings and bold decor, the Alloy Studios brings a sleek, modern feel to it. With large floor-to-ceiling windows and wide open spaces, this studio rightly sets the scene for movement. Even during our class tour, one of our guides, education coordinator Simon Phillips (along with executive director, Joseph Hall), took a moment to lead us through some exercises in front of the upstairs studio’s gaping mirrors. And, with the sun shining through, and music playing, it was impossible not to feel a sense of connection, or perhaps a spark of creativity.
If this sounds at all intriguing to you, good. That’s exactly what KST is all about. No matter the skill level, they open their arms to anyone and everyone who wishes to get involved in the world of the arts. In fact, they identify explicitly with bell hooks theory of homeplace, which asserts safe spaces are crucial for both wellness and resistance. As hooks puts it; “Whatever the shape of Black liberation struggle, domestic space has been a crucial site for organizing, for forming political solidarity. Homeplace is a site of resistance. Its structure was defined…by our struggle to uplift ourselves as people” (hooks 47). KST operates upon these very ideals. Check out their website, sign up for a dance class, and see what it means to be a part of a creative community.
I’ve never danced a day in my life (at least not formally), but just stepping foot in their studios made me want to move. Simon was so enthused by our participation that I couldn’t help but feel excited. And, it was so refreshing to simply feel good about the effort I was making rather than worry about whether I looked silly or was doing anything wrong. However, if moving isn’t your style, check out any of the numerous, wide-ranging shows that the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater has to offer. Annually, they offer fellowships and residency opportunities for dance or theater troupes looking for spaces to perform, and I’d urge anyone who gets the chance to come see these groundbreaking groups perform.
However, all of these magnificent offerings are in danger. You see, the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater’s lease ends in 2029, and developers have already bought the entire block with plans to build new apartments. While the building would stand, the developers have made no move to renew the theater’s lease (Deto). Which means that this building, that has stood for over 100 years bringing arts and entertainment to the East Liberty area, could be sold to serve some other purpose, or stripped completely of its identity as a home for art. Everything that the Kelly-Strayhorn team has built up, as a community, as a safe space, and more, could be taken away.
When the Regent had its final closure in the late 90s, it was in danger of being shut down, much like the nine other theaters that used to exist alongside it in the East Liberty of days past. Yet, the Kelly-Strayhorn team breathed new life into this space. They took a building with a rich history in the arts and culture, and they transformed it into something that would better serve its community. The KST is doing something truly unique; they offer a pay-what-moves-you program that makes shows more accessible, they plan events with the community like the Halloween event they hold annually for kids in the area, and the theater acts as a voice against gentrification in the East Liberty area such as their work with Duolingo to ensure that the company was being respectful of its new home (Machosky). In short, they are truly a staple of their community.
Just as the KST has been giving its all to the East Liberty community since its opening more than two decades ago, it’s time for the greater Pittsburgh community to give back. After all, what is a community if not a give and take, a push and pull? As a student, I’d only lived in Pittsburgh for just over two years upon my first visit to the theater, and yet our guides welcomed us as though we were all Pittsburgh natives. Before this, I would have assumed that businesses around the area roll their eyes at college students, eager for summer when we finally leave in waves. Yet the Kelly-Strayhorn team not only welcomed us with open arms but asked us to spread the word—to get other people involved. Truly, if there’s one purpose of Secret Pittsburgh, it’s to show that this city is a special place, one that begs to be explored and interacted with. So, here’s your chance to interact, and to make a change.
Works Cited:
Deto, Ryan. “East Liberty development put on hold amid opposition from Kelly Strayhorn Theater.” Trib Live, 26 January 2022, https://triblive.com/local/east-liberty-development-put-on-hold-amid-opposition-from-kelly-strayhorn-theater/
hooks, bell. “Homeplace (a Site of Resistance).” Yearning: Race, gender, and cultural politics. South End Press, 1990.
Machosky, Michael. “Duolingo’s efforts to be a good neighbor in East Liberty are recognized by Bloomberg.” Next Pittsburgh, 22 March 2022, https://nextpittsburgh.com/latest-news/duolingos-efforts-to-be-a-good-neighbor-in-east-liberty-are-recognized-by-bloomberg/