About CLO

Outside Benedum Center

Writing New Chapters in the Pittsburgh CLO Story


Since its earliest days, Pittsburgh CLO has been a forward-thinking organization. In 1946, the idea of producing live musical theater under the stars at Pitt Stadium was a bold undertaking — but driven by the vision that musical theater could bring a community together in celebration of a true American art form, Pittsburgh CLO forged ahead and is now hailed as one of the nation’s premier regional theaters. 

With the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year, the organization continues to produce its critically-acclaimed summer season, launching the careers of countless performers, welcoming some of Broadway and Hollywood’s brightest stars to the Pittsburgh stage and defining Pittsburgh as a cultural destination. 

However, our mission compels us to do more. Today, Pittsburgh CLO provides year-round entertainment at the CLO Cabaret, unparalleled performing arts training at the Pittsburgh CLO Academy, valuable educational opportunities in the community, recognition for young performers at the Gene Kelly Awards, and opportunities for local artists on our stages and work for talented craftsman at the CLO Construction Center for the Arts.

And it doesn't end there. 

Pittsburgh CLO is committed to ensuring a successful future for the American musical art form by developing new musicals and creating new product for regional theaters, Broadway and audiences in Pittsburgh, across the country and around the world. Our involvement in more than 22 Broadway shows as an investor or producer has made it possible for Pittsburgh CLO audiences to see award-winning musicals like The Addams Family and Evita direct from Broadway on the Pittsburgh CLO stage. In 2014, Pittsburgh CLO stepped onto the world stage with the premiere of a new stage adaptation of An American in Paris at the Théatre du Châtelet in Paris, France. An incomparable creative team led by award-winning director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon made their Broadway debut at The Palace Theatre on April 12, 2015, garnering 12 Tony Award® nominations. This was the first time Pittsburgh CLO has originated a new musical for Broadway.

Our local audiences have also enjoyed multiple world premieres at the CLO Cabaret, and will continue to experience the very latest in musical theater premieres with the addition of Pittsburgh CLO's SPARK festival to the organization's efforts.  

By taking a leadership role in the development of new works, we are ensuring that local audiences can enjoy the very best of Broadway for generations to come, local artists and students will have countless opportunities to participate in the creation of new musicals and Pittsburgh will be at the epicenter of musical theater innovation. 

The world has changed since 1946, but as Pittsburgh CLO has evolved over the years it has never wavered from its mission. Our efforts both on and off stage are all in support of “the celebration” of musical theater and our dedication to our family of supporters who share with us a love for live theater. As we continue to explore opportunities on stage in Pittsburgh, as well as beyond the walls of our theaters and our city, we look forward to continuing to make headlines and musical theater history for the benefit and with the support of our Pittsburgh family.

Mission

The mission of Pittsburgh CLO is the “celebration of musical theater.” Pittsburgh CLO is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to the preservation, creation and promotion of the American musical theater art form, the furnishing of arts education and providing outreach and meaningful community service opportunities in Western Pennsylvania and throughout the United States.

Pittsburgh CLO is a founding member of The National Alliance for Musical Theatre and a member of The Broadway League.
 

CLO History

On February 20, 1946, the Civic Light Opera Association held a press luncheon to announce its very first season. Immediately, talk of a new era in Pittsburgh’s cultural life made a huge splash in all three of the city’s daily newspapers. In fact, the Sun Telegraph predicted that “the CLO will inaugurate a cycle in the city’s musical history that will outlive us all.”

1946  Civic Light Opera premieres at Pitt Stadium
1955  The Civic Light Opera Guild is established
1959  Civic Light Opera moves to the Melody Tent
1962  The Civic Arena is built for the CLO displaying the world’s first retractable roof
1972  Pittsburgh CLO moves to the beautifully renovated Heinz Hall
1985  The Gallery of Heroes program is established
1988  Pittsburgh CLO moves to its current home in the Benedum Center
1989  The doors open at the Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theater
1991  The premiere of the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater
1992  A Musical Christmas Carol opens at the Byham Theater
2001  The CLO/CMU New Works Project is established to encourage the development of new works
2004  Pittsburgh CLO introduces year-round entertainment with the opening of the CLO Cabaret
2005  Pittsburgh CLO helps form Elephant Eye Theatricals as a member of 5 Cent Productions
2009  Pittsburgh CLO is co-founder of The National High School Musical Theatre Awards
2010  Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 20 years of the Gene Kelly Awards
2011  Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 20 years of A Musical Christmas Carol at the Byham Theater
2014  An American in Paris debuts in Paris
2015  Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 25 years of the Gene Kelly Awards, 25 years of the CLO Academy, 30 years of Gallery of Heroes. An American in Paris debuts on Broadway
2016 Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 25 years of A Musical Christmas Carol at the Byham Theater
2019 Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 15 years of the CLO Cabaret
2021 Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 75 years with spectacular performances & events at Heinz Field