A Neighborhood Theater That Became a Cultural Institution
Named in honor of two of Pittsburgh’s most celebrated icons — dancer and filmmaker Gene Kelly and jazz composer Billy Strayhorn — the Kelly Strayhorn Theater has evolved from a historic neighborhood movie house into one of the region’s leading centers for contemporary arts, performance, and community engagement.
Originally opened in 1914 as a neighborhood movie theater, the building served East Liberty residents for decades before being reimagined as a performing arts venue. Today, it stands as one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved cultural institutions — a place where emerging artists, musicians, dancers, playwrights, and cultural innovators find a welcoming home.
Honoring Two Pittsburgh Legends
The theater’s name carries the weight of two extraordinary legacies. Gene Kelly, born in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood in 1912, became one of Hollywood’s most iconic performers — revolutionizing the American musical film. Billy Strayhorn, raised in Pittsburgh and educated at Westinghouse High School, became Duke Ellington’s most trusted collaborator and one of jazz’s most gifted composers, writing classics like “Take the A Train” and “Lush Life.”
“The Kelly Strayhorn Theater is more than a performance space — it’s a living tribute to the creative spirit that has always defined Pittsburgh.”
A Home for Emerging Artists
Today, the Kelly Strayhorn Theater serves as a welcoming home for emerging artists, musicians, dancers, playwrights, and cultural innovators, while celebrating the rich artistic traditions that have shaped East Liberty and Pittsburgh. The theater is nationally recognized for its commitment to supporting artists at every stage of their careers.
Programming spans dance, theater, music, film, and community events — reflecting the full breadth of Pittsburgh’s creative community. The theater has become particularly known for its support of Black artists and its role in preserving and advancing Pittsburgh’s jazz and performance traditions.
Anchoring East Liberty’s Future
As East Liberty continues to transform — raising important conversations about investment, affordability, and preserving community identity — the Kelly Strayhorn Theater remains committed to ensuring that creativity, diversity, and community remain at the heart of the neighborhood’s future.
In a neighborhood that has seen dramatic change over the past two decades, the theater stands as a cultural anchor — a reminder that East Liberty’s identity is rooted not just in its buildings, but in its people, its artists, and its stories.