New Hazlett Theater Announces 11th Season of Community Supported Art

(Pittsburgh, PA) June 13, 2023— The New Hazlett Theater is pleased to announce its 11th Season of Community Supported Art (CSA), showcasing five premiere performances from Pittsburgh-based artists. Running from October 2023 to April 2024, The New Hazlett CSA Season 11 offers a broad range of productions, including opera, dance, theater and a multi-disciplinary experience.

“As we enter into our 11th year of CSA programming, I continue to be impressed with the breadth of talent and creativity in our region,” says New Hazlett Theater Executive Director René Conrad. “This year’s artists, and their respective works, represent a variety of creative mediums, cultures, and storytelling styles. It’s as much a professional pleasure to present to our patrons as it is a personal joy to help facilitate bringing new work by Pittsburgh artists to life.”

Each year the CSA Performance Series supports five emerging Pittsburgh artists as they develop a new work for the New Hazlett stage. The artists selected for the 2023/24 season share a common talent for groundbreaking creativity.

2023/2024 Season Lineup:

Himbos
A new play by Brian Pope
A service industry saga that puts the fun in dysfunctional.
October 26, 2023 – 8pm
October 26, 2023 – 10am & 8pm

One-Log Bridge
A new opera theatre work by Yan Pang
One-Log Bridge uses the beauty of the voice to explore immigration, race and resilience.
December 7, 2023 – 8pm
December 8, 2023 – 10am & 8pm

Teaira Whitehead
A play by Melannie Taylor
A powerful exploration of relationships, crime, and racial injustice.
February 15, 2024 – 8pm
February 16, 2024 – 10am & 8pm

UNDERLAND x Alice
Dance theater by Kontara Morphis
A journey of self-realization, visibility, and discovery seen through the lens of the African Diaspora.
March 21, 2024 – 8pm
March 22, 2024 – 10am & 8pm

Apis
A multi-disciplinary experience by Lindsay Goranson
A mind-bending performance that is equal parts science, cinema and theater, starring the last creature on earth.
April 18, 2024 – 8pm
April 19, 2024 – 10am & 8pm

“Storytellers plant the seeds of change, but organizations like The New Hazlett are where they grow.” says CSA Season 11’s Lindsay Goranson. “The CSA is a great opportunity to collaborate with other silos of knowledge working on making Pittsburgh a more sustainable city.”

The cast of Painting Lesson by Jasmine Roth, part of New Hazlett’s CSA Season 10. Photography by Renee Rosensteel

“I believe that the process of creating a new play from the literal ground up is the ultimate collaborative pursuit. It takes consistent input, output, and innovation from all parties involved. The support from the CSA program makes space for higher levels of those ingredients,” says CSA Season 11 artist Brian Pope.

Past CSA contributors include hip-hop artist Ys1, choreographer Kaylin Horgan, puppeteer Dave English, and vocalist Anqwenique Wingfield. The New Hazlett Theater’s CSA program provides a platform for creative, diverse artists to mold the future of the arts in Pittsburgh by connecting audiences with new productions that push the boundaries of what a live performance can be.

Subscriptions are available for purchase on the New Hazlett website.
Accessible seating and assistive listening devices are available for all CSA Season 11 productions. Please email Kevin Rabbits with any questions.

Meet the Artists

Brian Pope (he/him) writes plays, writes about plays, watches plays and TV, and talks constantly about all things pop culture on and off the internet. As an artist, Brian’s work centers on the values of joy and collaboration, while aiming to pay forward the sense of community he found pursuing his passion.

Yan Pang (she/they) is a composer, performer, and scholar. She is a visiting assistant professor of music at Point Park University. She received her Ph.D. in Music with a minor in Theater Arts & Dance at the University of Minnesota. Her work focuses on intercultural composition and performance.

Melannie Taylor (she/they) is a playwright dedicated to creating characters with heart and authenticity; holding space and reverence for Black people in America seeking healing and justice. As an artist, Melannie focuses on the intersection of art and activism, and is committed to the inclusion, protection, and upliftment of the black community.

Kontara Morphis (she/her) is a choreographer creating thought-provoking, emotionally resonant, and visually stunning dance pieces. Kontara is Artistic Director of K-Theatre Dance Complex and lends her talents to many other area organizations. Kontara believes dance has the power to communicate complex ideas and emotions in a way that words cannot.

Lindsay Goranson (she/they) is a writer, performer, interdisciplinary theater-maker, and relentlessly curious human. They create impactful experiences in pursuit of social change and prioritize minimizing the environmental impact of dynamic live experiences.

About The New Hazlett Theater
The New Hazlett Theater is a non-profit performing arts center that creates dynamic art through innovation and collaboration. We provide vital resources to creators from diverse backgrounds to enrich our cultural community.
www.newhazletttheater.org