Tickets to EQT Children's Theater Festival Now on Sale

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces the 29th annual EQT Children's Theater Festival. This family-friendly festival will be held May 14 ? 17, 2015 throughout the Cultural District in downtown Pittsburgh for kids of all ages. The festival is sponsored by the EQT Foundation, the charitable affiliation of the EQT Corporation.

Established in 2003, the EQT Foundation provides education for children, as well as adults, values the development of safe and diverse livable communities, and is committed to the preservation of natural resources. EQT Foundation prides itself on being a responsible corporate citizen and sponsors programs that promote an understanding of culture and heritage.

The EQT Children's Theater Festival brings diversity and unique experiences for everyone to enjoy. The festival is known for its ticketed performances from around the globe, free outdoor arts, music and installations, and unique free hands-on activities for people of all ages. The festival is opened to those of all ages, and it challenges and surprises the audience with the quality of the performances being offered. A full day can be planned that will range from theater to visual arts and more!

This year's festival will feature five sensational shows, along with one large-scale interactive art installation. While show times will occur throughout the day, many evening show times will be available. The Cabaret at Theater Square will be used for the first time for the ticketed performance of Umbo, a stimulating and colorful experience for the youngest audience members, ages 6 months through 4 years. The brand new outdoor, interactive installation will also be featured and announced at the press event being held on Monday, April 13 at 10:30 a.m. in the Peirce Studio, downtown Pittsburgh. There will also be new and exciting activities on the festival grounds for people to discover, and the hours this year will be extended from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to allow flexibility for families who want to explore more of the festival shows. While the performances and activities are planned throughout the Cultural District, the center of the festival is located in a pop up park on Penn Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets. Again, crossing guards and volunteers will be on hand to help visitors navigate through the festival areas and directional signs will be posted, as well.

The 2015 EQT Children's Theater Festival features ticketed performances by artistic companies from Denmark, Netherlands, Mexico, Australia and Scotland, along with a variety of free events happening throughout the Cultural District. Theater venues include the Byham Theater, Trust Arts Education Center and the newest venue for this year's festival which includes the Cabaret at Theater Square.

For more information regarding the EQT Children's Theater Festival, please visit Trustarts.org/PGHKIDS.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES
The most famous and beloved little dog in children's literature, SPOT, will be featured in sensory-friendly performances located at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. More information on this production is provided below.

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION
Please visit www.ParkPGH.org, for information regarding parking lots and garages in the Cultural District.

A number of convenient and affordable pre-paid parking vouchers are available for the Theater Square Parking Garage, entrance located on 7th Street. Call 412-456-6666 for more information.

The Cultural District is serviced by public transportation options through the Port Authority of Allegheny County. For more information, visit http://www.TrustArts.org/visit/public_transportaion/

Crossing guards and volunteers will be on hand to help visitors navigate through the festival areas and directional signs will be posted, as well. Please note that all of the featured performances and activities are within walking distance.

FOOD OPTIONS
Food truck vendors will be offering food options on the Festival grounds. Vendors will only be accepting cash. Seating is available at the pop up LilyPad Park on Penn Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION
Tickets begin at only $5 for the new outdoor installation and $8 for stage shows. Multi-show packs are available and offered for as low as $6 per show! Visit www.TrustArts.org/PGHkids, call (412) 456-6666, or pick up tickets in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. For groups of 10+ call (412) 471-6930, or visit GroupSales@TrustArts.org.

The Festival grounds and featured performance venues are fully handicapped accessible. ASL interpreters are provided for featured performances upon request when requests are made at least 10 business days in advance. For information and questions, please call (412) 456-6666.

For information about the Cultural District, visit http://www.TrustArts.org/about/explore/

FEAUTURED TICKETED EVENTS

Adventures of Robinhood
Visible Fiction | Scotland
In a forest somewhere near you, there is a band of brothers seeking to rid the land of evil and return hope to the poorly treated. They are lean, mean, trained justice-fighting machines. Armed with whatever comes their way, nothing is as it seems in Sherwood Forest, but one thing is for sure...no scoundrel is safe!
60 minutes
Best for ages 7+
www.visiblefictions.co.uk
Venue: Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Thursday, May 14, 2015: 10:15 AM
Friday, May 15, 2015: 10:15 AM
Saturday, May 16, 2015: 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Sunday, May 17, 2015: 11:00 AM

Manxmouse
Theatergroep Kwatta | Netherlands
Based on the book by Paul Gallico, Manxmouse is a play about being yourself told with puppets, animation, and music. The brave Manxmouse is one-of-a-kind. He has bright blue fur, huge rabbit ears, and a distinct lack of a tail. Follow Manxmouse on a journey filled with foxes, elephants, tigers, hawks, and cats big and small.
60 minutes
Best for ages 5+
www.kwatta.info
Venue: Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Thursday, May 14, 2015: 10:15 AM, 12:15 PM
Friday, May 15, 2015: 10:15 AM, 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 16, 2015: 2:45 PM, 7:00 PM
Sunday, May 17, 2015: 11:00 AM, 4:30 PM

Umbo
Teatro Al Vacio | Mexico
A joyous, playful and stimulating experience for the youngest of audiences. Share a special moment with your little one in a colorful world filled with play, exploration and discovery. Follow Umbo as he grows-just like you!
30 minutes
Best for ages 6 months-4 years and their grown-ups. All children require a ticket since the show is created for babies and toddlers ages 6 months-4 years and their companions. One adult will sit with each baby. Additional adult companions or guests will be seated in chairs surrounding the playing space.
teatroalvacio.blogspot.mx
Venue: Cabaret at Theater Square
Food and beverage service is not being offered for these performances.
Thursday, May 14, 2015: 10:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:30 PM
Friday, May 15, 2015: 10:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:30 PM
Saturday, May 16, 2015: 10:00 AM, 11:45 AM, 4:00 PM
Sunday, May 17, 2015: 10:00 AM, 11:45 AM, 4:00 PM

Spot
Theater Terra | Netherlands
With books published for over 30 years around the world, Spot by Eric Hill is the most famous and beloved little dog in children's literature. Go along with Spot to the farm where all of the animals are lost. Spot and his friend Helen are going to need your help to find the animals and bring them back to the farm. Can you recognize the sounds of the animals and help find them?
50 minutes
Best for ages 3-7
theaterterra.nl
Venue: Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
*Sensory-friendly performance time, including reduced sound, modified lighting, etc.
Thursday, May 14, 2015: 12:15 PM, 7:00 PM
Friday, May 15, 2015: 12:15 PM, 7:00 PM
*Saturday, May 16, 2015: 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM
*Sunday, May 17, 2015: 3:00 PM, 5:45 PM

Hansel and Gretel
Teatret Gruppe 38 | Denmark
This production of Hansel and Gretel is based on the original by the Brothers Grimm. It stays true to the dark nature of the original story and is strictly for children ages 8+ and adults. This production includes dim lighting, moments of complete darkness, potentially startling theatrical moments, and themes such as abandonment and potential harm.
40 minutes
Best for ages 8-adults. Children under the age of 8 will NOT be admitted. No late seating. Please arrive 10 minutes before show time.
www.gruppe38.dk/en
Venue: Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Thursday, May 14, 2015: 7:00 PM
Friday, May 15, 2015: 12:15 PM, 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 16, 2015: 11:45 AM, 5:30 PM
Sunday, May 17, 2015: 1:00 PM

Children's Theater Series and Festival
The Children's Theater Series and Festival, a division of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, opens the door for children to experience professional performing arts programming which inspires, challenges, educates, and stimulates respect for and an understanding of all cultures in an entertaining and enlightening way. The Children's Theater Festival (celebrating its 29th year in 2015) is one of only four international children's festivals in the nation. The Children's Theater Series (2014 ? 2015), now in its 45th season, introduces children to the arts early in life sparking their interest and appreciation so they continue to enjoy and support the arts as they grow up. For more information, visit: www.TrustArts.org/kids

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