CiRCA Plays the Byham Theater 3/12-13

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents the Pittsburgh premiere of CiRCA's 46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes, at the Byham Theater, on March 12, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. and March 13, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children's Theater.

Wherever CiRCA has taken its breathtaking, heart-stopping show, audiences have flocked to see the impossible happen. Watch as intrepid acrobats battle the clock. Marvel at the astounding ways they bend, fly, juggle and balance. This is fast and furious fun for everyone. Set to upbeat music and featuring multi-skilled performers, this is circus without the boring bits. 46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes: the name says it all. With their beeline approach to high-flying fun, the cheeky Aussies ofCiRCA from Queensland, Australia, push their own limits as they barrel, bolt and balance at breakneck speed. From awesome acrobatics to fantastic free-falls, the competitive camaraderie of four unbelievably skilled performers fuels awe and adoration in this "breathless barrage and banquet of circus pandemonium (City News, Brisbane)." Warning: All laughter, applause and cheering must take place off the clock!

Since 2006, CiRCA has taken its vision of re-imagining circus as a contemporary art form to 18 countries across 5 continents. Brisbane-based CiRCA are hailed worldwide as one of the most dynamic forces in new circus. It might be hard to imagine that a trapeze routine could apparently swing from sensuality to torment, but this is CiRCA's groundbreaking forte. By melding circus with contemporary dance and sparking the combination with a mix of new technologies and good, old-fashioned theatrical flair, CiRCA have evolved a style that probably eludes any concrete definitions. But what they do thrills and delights. CiRCA offers audiences utterly new ways to experience the awe-inspiring world of circus. Combining physically impossible skills with a poetic sensibility, its works amaze, astonish and move audiences. The CiRCA ensemble each have an average of 12 years of training and work throughout the year to develop endless possibilities of new circus acts. "The combination of acts...together with likeable performers, audience participation and breathless pace made for a greatly entertaining and highly-recommended family show (The Argus, Brighton)."

Yaron Lifschitz (artistic director and CEO, CiRCA) is a graduate of the University of NSW and NIDA and is currently completing a Master's Degree in Creative Writing. Yaron has directed over 60 productions including large scale events, opera, theatre, physical theatre and circus. His work has been seen around the world. Yaron was foundation artistic director of the Australian Museum's Theatre Unit, Head Tutor in Directing at Australian Theatre for Young People and has been a guest tutor in directing at NIDA since 1995. With CiRCA, Yaron has created works such as by the light of stars that are no longer..., The Space Between and 61 Circus Acts in 60 Minutes. His recent works have been reviewed as being "stunning", "exquisite" and "the standard to which all other circuses can aspire". Yaron's passion is creating works of philosophical and poetic depth from the traditional languages of circus.

Collette Brennan (executive director, CiRCA) has many years experience in arts and education. Collette's career experience include founding Creative Director of The Edge, State Library of Queensland's program for children and young people; General Manager of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Out of the Box Festival for 3 to 8 year olds; and Executive Officer of Youth Arts Queensland, for youth arts and cultural development. Collette has previously worked in schools as a drama and history teacher and as a youth arts coordinator.

Individual tickets ($11 at the door, $9.50 in advance) can be ordered online at www.pgharts.org, by calling (412) 456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue. Group tickets can be ordered by calling (412) 471-6930.

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, opens the door for children to experience professional performing arts programming for children which inspires, challenges, educates, and stimulates respect for and an understanding of all cultures in an entertaining and enlightening way. Each year Pittsburgh International Children's Theater presents a Family Series and the Pittsburgh International Children's Festival, which is one of only four international children's theater festivals in the nation.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh's 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh. In addition to the Pittsburgh International Children's Theater and Children's Festival, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series Pittsburgh Dance Council, Trust Presents, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, and Three Rivers Arts Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events. The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; James E. Rohr Building & Arts Education Center; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O'Reilly, and Harris Theaters; visual arts galleries: Wood Street Galleries; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty, a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities. www.pgharts.org.

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