People of Pittsburgh
“The experience was innovative. It really drew me into the story in a way I’ve never experienced before.”
Audience member
Welcome to RealTime’s series of interdisciplinary “theatrical portraits” that celebrate the personalities, lived experiences and personal histories of ordinary extraordinary Pittsburghers.
Each show unites artists from different disciplines and mediums, challenging them to collaboratively craft a work that captures a Pittsburgh-area resident, and encouraging innovations in form and content to express the uniqueness of a human being. Because everyone, if you look closely enough, is a work of art.
People of Pittsburgh I: The Alchemist of Sharpsburg
People of Pittsburgh I: The Alchemist of Sharpsburg explores the life of Candra, a Hindu-practicing, black-metal-listening game enthusiast with multigenerational roots in Sharpsburg, through a live, interactive theatrical experience that’s as much like a role-playing game as it is a play.
This production, created by Rusty Thelin and Emmanuelle Wambach, had its first showing at the City Theatre’s Lillie Theatre in April 2022. The second took place at Atithi Studios in Sharpsburg, Candra’s home neighborhood, in February 2023.
Learn more about People of Pittsburgh: The Alchemist of Sharpsburg
People of Pittsburgh II: The Constellationist
This audio/performance theatrical experience celebrates the life of an extraordinary ordinary Pittsburgher: Mary Helen Carey.
This production was created by lead artists Molly Rice and Christine Bethea with a community devising ensemble, July 2023.
Learn more about People of Pittsburgh II: The Constellationist
Wendy Arons, The Pittsburgh Tatler
“RealTime’s alchemical experimentation with theatrical form is, in the end, not only about Candra’s extraordinary ordinary life; it’s also about the transformative power of story.”
Audience member
“I laughed, I cried, it was all the emotions. I wish I could remember all of the little tidbits of truth and, honestly, I’m gonna cry again talking about it.”
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From the Audience
Check out what audiences said about the shows!
Photo Credits
RealTime Arts; Laura Petrilla.
