The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the 26th annual Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival, Wednesday, May 16, through Sunday, May 20, 2012, at the University of Pittsburgh Theaters and Schenley Plaza. Programming will showcase international and local theater premieres, including a brand new interactive luminarium installation on the festival grounds. Giant Eagle is the lead sponsor of the 2012 Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival.
For information and tickets, visit the Box Office at Theater Square, pghkids.org or call 412-456-6666. Ticket packages are available. Groups of 10 or more, call 412-471-6930. Children under the age of 2 are admitted free, but require a lap pass for entry into theaters. In addition to the featured ticketed performances, the Children’s Festival will include free hands-on academic, cultural, and international activities (Wed.-Sun), as well as performances at the free outdoor Community Stage (Wed.-Sun.), located in Schenley Plaza. Free outdoor activities and performances are 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. weekdays; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This Festival is a program of Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
“Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival is pleased to feature performances by artists from around the world that will engage children with different cultures and perspectives. The 26th annual Children’s Festival showcases a variety of mediums for expressing ideas and stories, such as puppetry, soundscapes, music movement, dance and so much more. Our ongoing goal is to provide a Festival where children and their families can learn about world cultures through their enjoyment of the performing and visual arts,” remarks
Pamela K. Lieberman, Manager-Children’s Theater Programming, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust & Executive Director-Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater.
Featured, ticketed performances by artists from Scotland, Australia,
the Netherlands, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States include:
World of Rhythm (Drums United, Netherlands) Bellefield Hall Auditorium, Single Tickets: $8; Ages 6 through adult, Performances May 18: 11:15 a.m.; May 19: 11:15 a.m. & 2:45 p.m.; May 20: 11:15 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
Drums United is an exciting world-percussion group composed of performers from the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Senegal, Spain, Germany, Surinam, Venezuela. Blending African drumming, Dance, Hip Hop, Indian tablas, Cuban rumbas and more, this ensemble is more than just a drum group – Drums United features quality drumming in celebration of the unifying power of music. This performance is also a part of the Distinctively Dutch Festival, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Dudes (Beumer and Drost, Netherlands) Charity Randall Theatre, Single Ticket: $8; Ages 6 through adult, Performances May 16: 9:45 a.m. & 12:45 p.m.; May 17 & 18: 9:45 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.; May 19: 9:30 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.; May 20: 9:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. Dudes is a hilarious mix of song, dance, juggling, puppetry, slap-stick comedy and more! The action takes place in the confines of a small locker room where the limitless possibilities of the imagination unfold. Among the thousands of locker rooms in Black & Gold Country, this might be the zaniest of them all! Join the “Dudes” and be amazed by how funny sports can be behind the scenes. This performance is also a part of the Distinctively Dutch Festival.
Plop! (Windmill Theatre, South Adelaide, Australia) Studio Theatre in the Cathedral of Learning, Single Ticket $8; Ages 1-5 years, Performances May 16 & 17: 9:45 a.m.; May 18: 9:45 a.m. & 12:45 p.m., May 19: 9:30 a.m. & 2:45 p.m., May 20: 9:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. This is a tale of true bravery when the smallest and most frightened creature summons up some rabbit courage to confront the terrible Plop! Specially crafted to provide our youngest audiences with an intimate, non-threatening first theatrical experience, this production explores the fear of unknown things that sometimes aren’t so scary after all.
Mirazozo (Architects of Air, Nottingham, UK) Festival Grounds, Single Ticket: $5; All ages, Entry every half hour May 16, 17 & 18: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; May 19 & 20: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Artist Alan Parkinson is back by popular demand with a brand new Luminaria! Enter a unique labyrinth of light and color equivalent to the size of a Steeler’s football field! A melding of architecture styles from across the globe, this giant inflatable structure will astonish you with its colorful domes and shimmering reflective panels. This is a work of art that must be seen to be believed! This installation is sponsored by Equitable Gas.
Cinderella (Shona Reppe Puppets, Scotland) Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Single Ticket: $8; Ages 5 and up, Performances May 16, 17 & 18: 11:15 a.m. & 12:45 p.m.; May 19 & 20: 1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.
In this innovative, award-winning puppet show, Cinderella must find a dress, get to the ball and fall in love with the most handsome Prince in the world—all before midnight! This classic fairy tale is beautifully re-imagined with secret hatches, hidden drawers, jazz, and a handbag full of magic.
Origami Tales (Kuniko Theater, Japan/USA) Bellefield Hall Auditorium, Single Ticket: $8; Ages 4 and up, Performances May 16: 9:45 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.; May 17 & 18: 9:45 a.m. & 12:45 p.m.; May 19: 9:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.; May 20: 9:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. In Japanese, ori- means “to fold” and -gami means “paper.” Using origami, music and audience participation, Kuniko Yamamoto provides a magical entry into Japanese culture. In her new show “Origami Tales,” mythological character masks
and puppets, amazing flowers and a dragon—all made from origami—set the
stage while Kuniko shares heartfelt stories from ancient Japan. Origami
Tales is presented in memory of Cas Welch, a dear friend and volunteer of the
Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater and Festival.
Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, opens the door for children to experience professional performing arts programming for children which inspires, challenges, educates, and stimulates respect for and an understanding of all cultures in an entertaining and enlightening way. Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival is one of only four international children’s festivals in the nation. www.pghkids.org