The Story
Kelly Strayhorn Theater is a performing arts venue in East Liberty named after two Pittsburgh legends: Gene Kelly, the iconic dancer and actor born in the neighborhood, and Billy Strayhorn, the jazz composer who grew up nearby. Reopened as a community theater in 2003, it has become one of Pittsburgh's most important venues for contemporary dance, theater, and community arts.
The theater hosts a diverse season of contemporary performance, with a particular strength in dance and interdisciplinary work. It also serves as a community gathering space, hosting neighborhood meetings, workshops, and cultural events that reflect East Liberty's diverse population.
Kelly Strayhorn has been a key anchor in East Liberty's revitalization, providing cultural programming that ensures the neighborhood's transformation includes artistic and community dimensions alongside commercial development.
What Makes It Pittsburgh
Naming a theater after Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn honors two of Pittsburgh's greatest cultural exports. Kelly revolutionized American dance and film, while Strayhorn composed some of the most beautiful jazz ever written. Both grew up in East Liberty, and this theater keeps their legacy alive in the neighborhood that shaped them.
In a neighborhood undergoing rapid change, Kelly Strayhorn Theater is a vital anchor of community identity. It ensures that East Liberty's artistic soul survives alongside the new apartments and retail, providing space for local artists and culturally diverse programming.