Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Media Contact:
Robin Elrod, Director of Public Relations and Communications
elrod@trustarts.org | 724-766-0564
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Announces
Free Programming Activities for the 35th Annual EQT Children’s Theater Festival
An interactive virtual event fostering wonder, growth, and creativity!
May 1-16 | Online Platform TrustArts.org/PGHKids/events
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is excited to announce the free programming options that will accompany the featured programming lineup for the 2021 EQT Children’s Theater Festival. In order to prioritize the health of patrons, staff, vendors, and artists, these free activities will be presented on a virtual platform. This additional programming will be accessible on the EQT Children’s Theater Festival website for the duration of the festival.
“We are thrilled to partner with so many diverse organizations to provide free programming options as part of this year’s festival” says Pamela Komar, Director of Theater, Music, and Youth Programming for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “These activities provide countless opportunities for children and teens to learn, create, and grow”.
The EQT Foundation, which was established by EQT Corporation, the nation’s largest producer of natural gas, returns in 2021 for an eighth year as the Festival’s lead and title underwriter, connecting the Pittsburgh community to international arts, entertainment, and culture. Through focused giving, the EQT Foundation provides educational opportunities for all ages, values the development of livable communities, and is committed to the preservation of natural resources in our region.
In addition to the EQT Foundation, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust thanks its sponsors, Giant Eagle, Inc., The Fine Foundation, the Maranne P. Welch Family Endowment, Allegheny Regional Asset District, The Grable Foundation, and The Buhl Foundation. Special thanks to collaborators Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, City of Pittsburgh, Citiparks, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and Alco Parking Corporation, the Milk Shake Factory, and media partners KDKA-TV and Kidsburgh.
EQT Children’s Theater Festival @ Home Free Programming:
Live Animal Encounters | Carnegie Museum of Natural History
All Ages
May 8, 2021 | 11AM
Meet the live animals that call Carnegie Museum of Natural History home at Live Animal Encounters. Join museum educators via Zoom to meet members of the museum’s living collection. Get up close with feathered, furry, and scaly friends while learning about animal habitats, interesting behaviors, and exciting scientific studies. Each show is unique, so you never know what kind of animals will be featured thanks to a rotating cast of cool animals! Meet a 6-foot-long python, colorful sun conures, or even some friendly skunks! The museum is home to more than 30 animal ambassadors, many of which were rescued or rehabilitated.
Penny Arcade: Creative Play Family Workshop | Arcade Comedy Theater
All Ages
May 15, 2021 | 1PM
Arcade Comedy Theater's award winning family show, Penny Arcade, presents a "creative play" workshop for all ages. This online workshop uses improv comedy to teach lessons on collaboration, listening, and using your imagination. Families can sign up to participate live on Zoom, or tune in to watch a recording of the workshop to try activities on their own.
Let's Learn Chess! w/Queens Gambit Chess Institute
All Ages
May 16, 2021
11:00 AM
Join Queens Gambit instructors to learn chess, gain new strategies, and practice playing the game in a fun and engaging setting.
Maker Monday | Kidsburgh
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Explore numerous hands-on activities to do with your family at home. See all of the activities here: https://www.kidsburgh.org/topic/maker-monday/.
Under One Sky | Pittsburgh Youth Chorus
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
The sky is something big and beautiful that we all share... even in times of social distancing and unrest. Inspired by words written by the singers of PYC, the organization's Executive Director composed the song "Under One Sky" to celebrate the sky's symbolic, unifying power: "We can always look up and say to ourselves, I am not alone." After months of virtual rehearsals, the resulting video features 38 singers who, at the time of recording, had yet to sing the song together in the same room. The release of the video comes just as PYC prepares for its return to in-person programming. Learn more at www.pittsburghyouthchorus.org.
Art Transports Us | Attack Theatre
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Art Transports Us is a virtual field trip to Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier and Loretto. This interactive tour highlights the cycle of inspiration from visual arts to student learners to professional dancers. Created in collaboration between Attack Theatre artists and third grade students at Stanwood Elementary School, this video features ten dance vignettes inspired by conversations with the students about select works of art from SAMA’s 25th Anniversary Regional Juried Art Exhibition (2020).
Reach for the Stars | Jumping Jack Theatre
All Ages
Sensory-Friendly
May 1-16, 2021
Have you ever wondered how the stars shine so bright? Join Jumping Jack Theater as they travel to the sky for an interactive creative movement activity and then create your very own galaxy in a bottle! This unique sensory-friendly experience is perfect for all K-5 learners.
Frog Stop Scavenger Hunt
All Ages
May 1-16
While this edition of the 2021 festival is virtual, there is so much to explore! One of the most popular activities each year at the festival is the Frog Stop Scavenger Hunt which guides families throughout the Cultural District, and we’ve designed a Frog Stop Scavenger Hunt for you to complete wherever you choose! Make, watch, learn, move, help, and read with us. Complete 4 out of 6 steps and each participant will be entered to win a prize from our Frog Stop partners The Milkshake Factory and you could be featured on Pittsburgh Cultural Trust social media channels!
Three Billy Goats Gruff | Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Enjoy Three Billy Goats Gruff from the artists at Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia.
Origami with Kuniko Yamamoto | Kuniko Yamamoto
Pre-teens & Teenagers
May 1-16, 2021
Join Kuniko Yamamoto as she folds and shares a story.
Windmill At Home | Windmill Theatre
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Welcome to Windmill at Home. A new online platform that hopes to bring a little bit of Windmill joy into your home. Good stories bring people together and can make even the darkest days brighter. We've worked closely with our wonderful team of artists and creatives to share some of your favourite stories in a whole new way. Discover a whole suite of stories with Grug, a collection of hands-on activities and explore interactive (and award-winning) digital experiences. We'll be back onstage just as soon as we can. For now, find us here and on your screens!
Gumbo with Terence Simien | Terence Simien and the Zydeco Experience
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Get your family together and share the Simien Family's Gumbo!
Dan and Claudia Zanes | Dan and Claudia Zanes
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Watch and listen to a song recorded just for families! Dan and Claudia Zanes share their rendition of Walking Down Coney Island Avenue complete with a cameo of their puppy Rezi.
Make and Color A Milkshake At Home | The Milk Shake Factory
All Ages
May 1-16
Color your own milkshake and redeem the completed coloring page at the Milkshake Factory for a free kids’ shake!* Use a recipe from The Milkshake Factory to make your own cookies and cream milkshake at home.
*limited to children 12 or under
Dancing with the Seasons with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre | Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Join Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's Kerra Alexander (teacher) and Dave O'Brien (percussionist) in a creative movement activity that takes dancers through all four seasons. This activity invites young dancers to join in a variety of playful movements and encourages budding improvisation skills. Check out additional virtual content, including storybook dance-alongs and activities to do and make at home, on Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's "Dance the Story at Home" site.
Adaptive Dance with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre | Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Kids and Pre-teens
May 1-16, 2021
The Sugar Plum Fairy is a character we love to dance with all year round! Join Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's Jamie Murphy and Julia Adams in a sensory-friendly exploration of dance and movement appropriate for all ages and abilities. Both seated and standing alternatives are provided for dancers.
Creative Connections | Trust Arts Education
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Creative Connections are virtual learning tools designed by Trust Arts Education Teaching Artists for learners of all ages. Each lesson is only a few minutes long and uses materials that most people already have on hand. Featuring visual arts, movement, music, and more, you can connect with the arts from wherever you are!
Animal Beatbox | NYICFF Kid Flicks
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Enjoy a silly and short video of the ""Animal Beatbox,"" combining music with the names of animals you know and love and some that you will hear for the first time! After watching, can you make your own animal beatbox? This content was created and distributed by our friends at the New York International Children's Film Festival. Visit their website to learn more about their work!
Polyglot at Home | Polyglot Theatre Company
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Polyglot Theatre company challenged their ingenious artists to come up with some fun things to do with stuff that’s probably already in your house. Don’t have kids? Don’t worry! These creative activities are for all ages (some kids may need a hand with things like scissors).
Lego Build Time-lapse | Steel City Lego Users Group
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Watch along as Steel City Lego Users Group builds a full sized guitar out of Lego. Get inspired to build your own Lego creations! This content was created and distributed by our friends with Steel City Lego User Group.
Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes | Citiparks
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Citiparks guides you through a reading of Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes.
Build Your Own Miniature Town | Jamie Agnello
All Ages
May 1-16, 2021
Follow along with teaching artist Jamie as she builds a miniature town using recycled materials and art supplies. Materials needed: Recycled materials (cardboard, plastic, cans, etc.), Scissors, Glue, Markers, paints, or colored pencils, and Paper
FREE VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will offer free access to featured performances to schools in the Pittsburgh region: A Kids Play About Racism, MacHomer, and Aesop Bops. Educators can visit https://pghkids.trustarts.org/kids/groups/educator-information for information about these programs.
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Traditionally, the EQT Children's Theater Festival happens for 4 days in May in Downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District, bringing extraordinary and unique experiences to young people and continuing the tradition of theater for children. The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it for families and children across the world. Classrooms have become laptop screens, and embracing the child-like imagination that we once all possessed has become more important than ever. To prioritize the health of our patrons, staff, vendors, and artists the festival remains on a virtual platform - the EQT Children's Theater Festival @ Home.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country’s largest land masses “curated” by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh’s quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts.
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