Point Park University’s Dance Complex
This $16 million complex opened in 2008 in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. It is a Gold LEED-certified building and one of the few green arts facilities in the region. The 44,000-square-foot complex includes:
- Four floors with extra-height ceilings, comparable in size to a six-story building
- Five studios for rehearsals and performances, with space for three additional studios (all studios are compliant with all National Association of Schools of Dance and industry-specific requirements)
- State-of-the-art heating and cooling systems, ventilation, flooring, lighting, acoustics and equipment
- On-site student lockers, showers, changing spaces and bike racks
Rehearsal and Performance Facilities in the Complex
George Rowland White Performance Studio
This dance studio can be converted into a fully functional performance space to meet the needs of various projects at the conservatory. It offers intimate audience seating for 188 and a 40-foot-by-30-foot performance space, the second largest in downtown Pittsburgh.
Hilda Willis Tap Dance Studio
Students in the dance and musical theatre programs use this 40-foot-by-50-foot facility, located on the lower level of the complex.
George Rowland White Dance Studios Two, Three and Four
The studios on the first and second floors average 60 feet by 60 feet in size and have extra-high ceilings, offering dancers maximum space for leaps, circular patterns and lifts.
The Pittsburgh Playhouse is located in the neighborhood of
Oakland, and a free shuttle service is provided by the University.
The Pittsburgh Playhouse
The Pittsburgh Playhouse is the performing arts center of Point Park University and the Conservatory of Performing Arts. The three-theater complex is home to The REP — the professional theatre company — and three student companies: Conservatory Theatre Company, Conservatory Dance Company and Playhouse Jr.
Seating capacities for the theaters are as follows:
- Rockwell Theater: more than 400
- Rauh Theater: 235
- Studio Theater: 60–65
The Pittsburgh Playhouse maintains a rigorous performance calendar with 18 major productions entertaining more than 30,000 patrons annually. The Playhouse is a fully functional theatre with an on-site costume shop, scene shop and lighting and sound design labs. Students in the program have the opportunity to work alongside professionals to hone their craft.
The Playhouse is currently located in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Oakland, but it is scheduled to move downtown as part of Phase II of Point Park’s Academic Village.
Other Facilities
In addition to the Dance Complex and Playhouse, dance students have the opportunity each year to perform at the Byham Theatre, located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.
For more information, check out the campus map, which shows these facilities, as well as other key locations.