Voice of the Arts

Public Works Twelfth Night at Pittsburgh Public Theater

Episode Summary

The Pittsburgh Public Theater is hosting it's last work of the 2024-2025 season, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night! Director of the show, Marya Sea Kaminski, talks about the production. Marya discusses the genesis of this idea, dating back to when she worked with The Public Theater in New York City on their Public Works program. Based on their free Shakespeare in the Park model, the Public Works aims to restore and build community by connecting people through the creation of extraordinary works of art. With 100 cast members, Marya highlights the challenges of this production. The show is a comedy about a shipwrecked noblewoman who disguises herself as a male page to blend in. Community partners include dancers from Hill Dance Academy Theater (HDAT), aerialists from Iron City Circus, and martial artists from Dynamic Defenders. There are also over 20 songs packed into this 90 minute production! Lastly, Marya talks about her future after the Public. She is stepping down as the Artistic Director in July. She is looking forward to teaching the next generation of students at Oberlin College. Don't worry, she will still split her time between Ohio and Pittsburgh. Marya will return next year to direct the Public's "An Enemy of the People". You can see Pittsburgh Public Theater's "Twelfth Night" from June 26th to 29th at the O'Reilly Theater. Visit https://ppt.org/production/94489/public-works-twelfth-night to learn more.