Pittsburgh CLO

Writing New Chapters in the Pittsburgh CLO Story

Since its earliest days, Pittsburgh CLO has been a forward thinking organization.  In 1946, the idea of producing live musical theater under the stars at Pitt Stadium was a bold undertaking, but driven by the vision that musical theater could bring a community together in celebration of a true American art form, Pittsburgh CLO forged ahead and today is hailed as one of the nation’s premiere regional theaters.

With the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year, the organization continues to produce its critically acclaimed summer season, launching the careers of countless performers, welcoming some of Broadway and Hollywood’s brightest stars to the Pittsburgh stage and defining Pittsburgh as a cultural destination.

However, our mission compels us to do more. Today, Pittsburgh CLO provides year-round entertainment at the CLO Cabaret, unparalleled performing arts training at the Pittsburgh CLO Academy, valuable educational opportunities in the community, recognition for young performers at the Gene Kelly Awards, and opportunities for local artists on our stages and work for talented craftsman at the CLO Construction Center for the Arts.

And it doesn’t end there.

Pittsburgh CLO is committed to ensuring a successful future for the American musical art form by developing new musicals and creating new product for regional theaters, Broadway and audiences in Pittsburgh, across the country and around the world.  Our involvement in more than 20 Broadway shows as an investor or producer has made it possible for Pittsburgh CLO audiences to see award-winning musicals like The Addams Family and Evita direct from Broadway on the Pittsburgh CLO stage. Our local audiences have also enjoyed world premieres at the CLO Cabaret including ‘S Wonderful and Judge Jackie Justice, The Trials of Love.

In 2014, Pittsburgh CLO stepped onto the world stage with the premiere of new stage adaptation of An American in Paris at the Théatre du Châtelet in Paris, France.    An incomparable creative team led by award-winning director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon made their Broadway debut at The Palace Theatre on April 12, 2015, garnering 12 Tony Award® nominations. This is the first time Pittsburgh CLO has originated a new musical for Broadway. By taking a leadership role in the development of new works, we are ensuring that local audiences can enjoy the very best of Broadway for generations to come, local artists and students will have unparalleled opportunities to participate in the creation of new musicals and Pittsburgh will be at the epicenter of musical theater innovation.

The world has changed since 1946, but as Pittsburgh CLO has evolved over the years it has never wavered from its mission.  Our efforts both on and off stage are all in support of “the celebration” of musical theater and our dedication to our family of supporters who share with us a love for live theater.  As we continue to explore opportunities on stage in Pittsburgh, as well as beyond the walls of our theaters and our city, we look forward to continuing to make headlines and musical theater history for the benefit and with the support of our Pittsburgh family.

Mission
The mission of Pittsburgh CLO is the “celebration of musical theater.” Pittsburgh CLO is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to the preservation, creation and promotion of the American musical theater art form, the furnishing of arts education and providing outreach and meaningful community service opportunities in Western Pennsylvania and throughout the United States.

Pittsburgh CLO is a founding member of The National Alliance for Musical Theatre and a member of The Broadway League.