The three largest independent theaters in Pittsburgh — the Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh CLO and City Theatre — sent emails to patrons on Friday saying they are exploring merging to overcome difficult financial situations facing all three of them.

“Our organizations have begun a collaboration to explore ways we can overcome the same existential challenges faced by regional theaters across America, prompted by shrinking federal arts funding, tightening demands on philanthropic priorities, and the erosion of traditional subscriber models amid ever-widening entertainment choices,” according to an email sent by Shaunda McDill, managing director of the Pittsburgh Public Theater. The other companies sent out similar notes.

Both the Public Theater and City Theatre are heading into their

See Full Page