{{Short description|Contemporary theatre incubator}} {{Infobox organization | name = Quantum Theatre | full_name = | native_name = <!-- organization's name in its local language --> | native_name_lang = <!-- required ISO 639-1 code of the above native language --> | logo = | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = Quantum Theatre logo.png | image_size = | image_alt = <!-- see WP:ALT --> | caption = Quantum Theatre logo | map = <!-- map image --> | map_size = <!-- defaults to 250px --> | map_alt = | map_caption = | map2 = <!-- 2nd map image, if required --> | map2_size = | map2_alt = | map2_caption = | abbreviation = | nickname = | pronunciation = | pronounce_ref = | pronounce_comment = | named_after = | predecessor = | merged_into = <!-- any other organization(s) which it was merged into --> | successor = | established = {{start date and age|1990}} | founder = Karla Boos | founding_location = | dissolved = <!-- or |defunct = --><!-- use {{end date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | merger = <!-- other organizations (if any) merged with, to constitute the new organization --> | type = Nonprofit | tax_id = 25-1760895<ref>{{ProPublicaNonprofitExplorer|25-1760895|NonprofitName}}</ref> | registration_id = | status = | purpose = Human relationships in unexpected ways. | professional_title = <!-- for professional associations --> | headquarters = 5907 Penn Ave Suite 210<br/>Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | coordinates = {{coord|40.462270|-79.926400|display=inline,title}} | origins = | region_served = <!-- or |area_served = or |region = --> | products = <!-- or |product = --> | services = | methods = <!-- or |method = --> | fields = <!-- or |field = --> | membership = <!-- number of members --> | num_members_year = <!-- year to which membership numbers/data apply --> | language = <!-- or |languages = --><!-- any official language or languages used --> | owner = <!-- or |owners = --> | secretary_general = <!-- or |gen_sec for General Secretary --> | leader_title = Artistic Director | leader_name = Karla Boos | leader_title2 = Co-Interim-Executive Director | leader_name2 = Julie Deseyn | leader_title3 = Co-Interim-Executive Director | leader_name3 = Wanda Wilson | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | board_of_directors = | key_people = | main_organ = <!-- or |publication = --><!-- organization's principal body (assembly, committee, board, etc.) or publication --> | parent_organization = <!-- or |parent_organisation = --> | subsidiaries = | secessions = | affiliations = | budget = $1,500,000 | budget_year = 2021 | revenue = | revenue_year = | disbursements = | expenses = | expenses_year = | endowment = | endowment_year = | funding = <!-- source of funding e.g. for "think tanks" --> | num_staff = | num_staff_year = | num_volunteers = | num_volunteers_year = | num_students = | num_students_year = | awards = | website = {{URL|quantumtheatre.com}} | remarks = | former_name = <!-- or |former_name = --> | footnotes = | bodystyle = }} '''Quantum Theatre''' is an experimental theatre company that uses non-traditional stages in Pittsburgh, PA. Founded in 1990 by Karla Boos, it is the longest running producer of site specific plays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pittnews.com/article/175890/arts-and-entertainment/quantum-theatre-chatham-baroque-reinvent-forgotten-opera-300-years-later/ |title=Quantum Theatre, Chatham Baroque reinvent forgotten opera 300 years later|last=Jackson|first=Toni|date=9 October 2022|website=Pitt News|access-date=15 October 2022}}</ref>
The theatre has been mentioned in American Theatre Magazine and Stage Directions Magazine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quantumtheatre.com/about/history.html |title=About Us - History |publisher=Quantum Theatre |access-date=2011-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715134754/http://www.quantumtheatre.com/about/history.html |archive-date=2011-07-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It has staged classical plays, adaptations of literature, world premieres and contemporary plays in places such as Washington's Landing, Iron City Brewery, the former Don Allen Auto City, a Downtown loft in the Cultural District, abandoned school houses and the Frick Art & Historical Center.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/blogs/candide-at-quantum-theatre-1342850/|title=''Candide'' at Quantum Theatre|date=16 November 2009|last=O'Driscoll|first=Bill|website=Pittsburgh City Paper|access-date=4 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.popcitymedia.com/inthenews/quantum0729.aspx |title=Quantum Theatre kicks off 19th season |publisher=Pop City |date=2009-08-05 |access-date=2011-01-02 |archive-date=2011-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929172425/http://www.popcitymedia.com/inthenews/quantum0729.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Christopher |last=Rawson |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09034/946449-325.stm |title=Quantum's 'Mouth to Mouth' packs a punch |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=2009-02-03 |access-date=2011-01-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916044538/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ |archive-date=September 16, 2012 |title=- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Christopher |last=Rawson |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08317/927102-325.stm |title=Art, music, audience objects of Quantum's 'Museum of Desire' |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=2008-11-12 |access-date=2011-01-02}}</ref>
==Education== Quantum Theatre also features an educational outreach program in which a teaching artist helps students at inner-city high schools interpret a play, a piece of literature, or a historical event in contemporary terms. The students then create a performance to be showcased at a rehearsal for a Quantum Theatre production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.quantumtheatre.com/about/educational-programs/|title=Educational Programs|publisher=Quantum Theatre|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914174543/https://www.quantumtheatre.com/about/educational-programs/|archive-date=14 September 2025|url-status=live|access-date=4 December 2010}}</ref>
On January 30, 2012, Quantum Theatre was one of twelve companies to participate in Organic Theater Pittsburgh's From the Ground Up event to promote collaborations between Pittsburgh playwrights and local theater troupes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/listings/short-list-january-26-31-1483407/|title=Short List: January 26 – 31|website=Pittsburgh City Paper|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715041730/https://www.pghcitypaper.com/listings/short-list-january-26-31-1483407/|archive-date=15 July 2024|url-status=live|date=25 January 2012|access-date=28 April 2012}}</ref>
==Productions== Quantum Theatre creates site-specific performances tailoring each one to the location. Updates can include costumes, plot, or a completely new adaptation. One example is when performing King Lear at the Carrie Furnace, Karla Boos mixed medieval English clothing with 1970s steelworker uniforms and added union songs to the play.<ref name="english">{{cite web|url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/arts-entertainment-2/quantum-theatres-king-lear-takes-full-advantage-of-its-magnificent-setting-at-carrie-furnaces-14972321/ |title=Quantum Theatre's King Lear takes full advantage of its magnificent setting at Carrie Furnaces|last=Deto|first=Ryan|date=14 May 2019|website=Pittsburgh City Paper|access-date=15 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914220532/https://www.pghcitypaper.com/arts-entertainment-2/quantum-theatres-king-lear-takes-full-advantage-of-its-magnificent-setting-at-carrie-furnaces-14972321/|archive-date=14 September 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="sortable wikitable" |- ! style="width:5%;"| Season ! style="width:30%;"| Location ! style="width:15%;"| Play ! style="width:15%;"| Author ! style="width:45%;"| Notes |- | 2022-2023 | OneValley Roundhouse | The Cherry Orchard | Libby Appel | Directed by Katie Brooks. An elaborate multi-tiered stage was incorporated into the Roundhouse.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pittsburghquarterly.com/articles/quantums-the-cherry-orchard-is-brilliantly-inscrutable/ |title=Quantum's "The Cherry Orchard" is Brilliantly Inscrutable|last=Sheppard|first=Stuart|date=15 July 2022|website=Pittsburgh Quarterly|access-date=15 October 2022|quote=This show – designed by Bryce Cutler — is performed on a multi-tiered circular stage that looks like the synthesis of an M.C. Escher print}}</ref> |- | 2021-2022 | Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink | An Odyssey | Jed Allen Harris | Adapted by Jay Ball. Odysseus recounts his tales to a young princess Nausicaa. Quantum Theatre transformed the Ice Rink into a Greek amphitheatre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://triblive.com/aande/theater-arts/quantum-theatre-season-opens-with-greek-tragedy-at-schenley-park-ice-rink/|title=Quantum Theatre season opens with Greek tragedy at Schenley Park ice rink|last=McMarlin|first=Shirley|date=22 July 2022|website=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|access-date=15 October 2022}}</ref> |- | 2021-2022 | The Maverick | Chimerica | Lucy Kirkwood | |- | 2020-2021 | Digital Season | Love and Information | Caryl Churchill | |- | 2020-2021 | Digital Season | Constellations | Nick Payne | |- | 2020-2021 | Digital Season | Wild | Mike Bartlett | |- | 2020-2021 | Digital Season | Far Away | Caryl Churchill | |- | 2018-2019 | Trinity Cathedral Pittsburgh | Chatterton | Karla Boos | Based on the book by Peter Ackroyd |- | 2018-2019 | Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Homewood | The Gun Show (Can We Talk about This?) | E. M. Lewis | Additional showings were at West Hall at CCAC – Allegheny Campus & The Tull Family Theater.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2019/02/12/Review-The-Gun-Show-Quantum-Theatre-E-M-Lewis/stories/201902110072 |title='The Gun Show' inspires a coming together that transcends the complicated subject|last=Eberson|first=Sharon|date=12 February 2022|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=15 October 2022}}</ref> |- | 2018-2019 | Carrie Furnace | King Lear | William Shakespeare | Costumes were a mixture of Early english garments and steelworker gear.<ref name="english" /> |- | 2016-2017 | Mellon Park Rose Garden | Peribañez | Lope de Vega | |}
Quantum Theatre's final production of their 2018-2019 season will be the world premiere of ''Inside Passage'', opening in March 2018.<ref name="Inside Passage">{{Cite news|url=http://www.quantumtheatre.com/inside-passage/|title=Inside Passage|work=Quantum Theatre|access-date=2018-02-05|language=en-US}}</ref> The play was written by Pittsburgh's Gab Cody, whose work was most recently featured in Bricolage Production Company's ''Dodo: The Time Has Come'' in partnership with the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Directed by Sam Turich, ''Inside Passage'' incorporates documentary film footage and live performance to explore themes of family, home, childhood, and loss.<ref name="Inside Passage"/>
==See also== * Theatre in Pittsburgh
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website|quantumtheatre.com}}
Category:Culture of Pittsburgh Category:Performing arts in Pittsburgh Category:Theatre companies in Pittsburgh Category:Theatre in Pennsylvania Category:1990 establishments in Pennsylvania