Kelly Strayhorn Theater and PearlArts Group As much as Empower East Liberty as a Dance Heart Dance | Pittsburgh

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CP Photo: Amanda Waltz

Kelly Strahorn Theater

Two large black-led organizations are joining forces to secure the future of performative dance and the East Liberty arts scene in Pittsburgh.

Yesterday, Kelly Strayhorn Theater and PearlArts, the creative space for the STAYCEE PEARL dance project, and Soy Sos announced that they will be partnering to “share resources and work together to restore East Liberty as the hub for the Pittsburgh arts scene, ”According to a press release. The decision was in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted many local arts organizations and canceled important events, performances and programs that are vital to the city’s art and entertainment scene.

Joseph Hall, Executive Director of KST, sees the partnership as a way to preserve a historic community theater and dance venue, as well as the integrity of a neighborhood that many people believe will be undergoing major changes in the context of gentrification.

Hall believes protecting spaces like KST, a long-running venue named after East Liberty locals, dancer and actor Gene Kelly and music star Billy Strayhorn, is vital to the health of the community.

“If you look around, there are very few places where local residents and business people can enjoy the arts in East Liberty. The Kelly Strayhorn Theater is the only performing arts venue in the community, ”says Hall. “In 2020 the arts were hit hard by COVID-19, but for many years they have held a precarious position in our rapidly developing neighborhood. Our partnership with PearlArts will expand opportunities for a variety of artists and audiences, and build on KST’s mission to bring diverse communities together through the arts. ”

Staycee Pearl, co-founder of the STAYCEE PEARL dance project, says PearlArts’ work stalled in March 2020 when the pandemic first set in. This included assignments, courses, tours and programming in the studio.

“We didn’t know how to go about it,” says Pearl. “How long would that take? We had no idea how to proceed and we started questioning everything. ”

She adds that PearlArts stayed afloat thanks to a loan from the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program and aid provided by the Pittsburgh Foundation and other groups. She also credits Hotline Ring, a virtual fundraiser led by KST in July 2020, for raising $ 130,000 that went to PearlArts and several other local organizations.

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John Altdorfer

Dancers in the STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos’ sym

The partnership signals some major changes for PearlArts, including moving from the mine factory building to Point Breeze, a space the companies have lived in since 2012, and the location of KST’s Alloy Studios in January 2021 for a two-year residency permit.

Pearl said the arrangement was a way to continue planning and execution after the pandemic delayed the move from the mine factory building to a new permanent room.

“We planned to move to the Braddock community, but the pandemic has delayed those plans and we have been invited to continue our work at KST Alloy Studios while we re-strategize our move,” says Pearl.

She adds that while the mine factory was “lovely” and provided a “safe space for creativity,” KST Alloy Studios are “larger, more central, with a one-level entrance in the East End, which makes them perfect for artists, audiences, and people and other dance professionals. ”

Pearl sees the partnership as mutually beneficial for KST and PearlArts as well as a reunion for the STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos, which debuted at KST and served as the resident dance company for three years from 2010 to 2013.

Program activities, including the return of the Alloy School, are aimed at “reactivating KST’s Alloy Studios as a dance center”. Promised offers include morning and evening classes for dance professionals and community members, hourly rehearsal rentals for dance artists, and an “upcoming subsidized rental program for small performances in the KST’s Alloy Studios performance room”.

The renewed activity aims to “regularly bring more artists to East Liberty” and “influence restaurants in the neighborhood and other businesses”.

Through the partnership. Pearl says they look forward to teaching virtual classes and doing both KST and PearlArts programming virtually, first, then hopefully in person. The program includes the KST Saturday School for youth and family dance classes and evening community dance clubs, as well as professional classes open to the community and led by STAYCEE PEARL dance projects and Soy Sos dancers.

She adds that companies look forward to “being in person in the theaters and the studio as soon as it’s safe,” despite PearlArts moving to virtual presentations and educational programs during the pandemic.

“That opportunity gave us the resources to experiment and expand, and now we’re coming back stronger than ever,” says Pearl. “Through this partnership, we will support the growth and development of Pittsburgh dance artists.”