20 Best Acting Programs In Pittsburgh, PA (2022 Updated)

I have graduated with five degrees from four different universities in Pittsburgh ranging from Bachelor to Doctorate degrees. I can honestly state that Duquesne was my favorite school. I received a higher quality of education and benefitted more from the smaller classes which are not offered by other schools. Most of my educators actually cared about their students and were not at all condescending (ok, there were a couple). Duquesne costs a bit more, but it was worth it. The campus is great. The classrooms; halls; and grounds are clean, traditional, and safe. My child chose to go to another school, but I would sleep better knowing that was living on campus at Duquesne rather than an apartment in Oakland. The only criticism I have is Duquesne has become more noticeably politically liberal than other Catholic schools. I’m ok with limited expression of personal liberal or conservative views, but I am disappointed when those views become a driver for the facility and administration to influence students. Some of those views have reached national attention which lowers my annual donations to the school.Jerry

We went for a campus tour today and absolutely fell in love with the campus. We are from the Pittsburgh area and I never expected the campus to be as big and charming as it is. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and the student:teacher ratio (14:1) with an average class size of 28 was a major bonus. The dorms are 2 bed frames with a desk and closet for each roommate with 2 drawers under the bed as well. They're spacious and clean. They have an amazing 4 floor workout building with every piece of equipment you could ever need! It truly is a hidden gem right in the downtown area. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city but still close enough to enjoy downtown amenities. I don't see how any other college could top this!!Melanie Phillips

A well known midsized eastern university. Good mix of commuter students and full time students living on campus. Known for programs in pharmacy. education, and music. Good mix of students from all ethnic/economic backgrounds. Although a Catholic University religion is not overly stressed.Peter Halapatz

Great little theater, tonight was my first time and The Color Out of Space was a great intro film to catch here, matched the old school charm of the Harris. I'd love updated seats, at the end of the 2 hours I was happy to move again, but they weren't particularly uncomfortable either. Get there a little early and sit slightly further back in the theater than you might normally choose would be my advice. Hope this place keeps going, love the vibe!DT Andersen

Definitely a nice asset to have for the Pittsburgh film scene. Gives cinema fans an opportunity to see some smaller releases that won't be picked up by the Manor or any AMC-type theater. The sound and seats are okay, but overall it is a very well run theatre.CJ Cunningham

Great movies mostly independent film makers. Currently showing Oscar nominated shorts, if you do not like them they are short. I suggest you go and it is a byob, which makes a bad movie better or you just don't care.Andy Wolfinger

In its many incarnations over time, the New Hazelett remains a wonderful resource to the Pittsburgh arts community. Primarily a rental space for Pittsburgh's small and midsize theater companies, the space adapts to almost every production type. This theater is especially suitable for avant garde works which want to work at multiple levels. Worth mentioning is the New Hazlett's CSA (Community Supported Arts) program. This program invites emerging and mid-career artists to propose larger theatrical productions to a juried panel. Chosen applicants receive technical, fundraising and promotional support from the theater. The end result is some of the freshest, most engaging theatrical and/or multi-disciplinary productions the city has to offer. I especially enjoy the "talk backs" at the end of the production. As a person with mobility issues, I find it challenging to enter. Not all disabled people use wheelchairs. The long ramp for entry, the double set of steps and the distance of parking all influence what I choose to see. But, since it tends to have the most relevant contemporary programming in the city, I find a way.Christina Springer

Was a joy to see a show here. We saw a dance performance: Corning Works, The World As we Know it. What a great little theater and what a fantastic performance. Would definitely come back to see something else.Michael P.

The inside of the theater is absolutely beautiful. It has a theater that's capable of hosting live performances which you can enjoy your experience in a very comfortable seat.Tquarrie

Our children have taken piano, voice, and guitar lessons for over 2 years with Pittsburgh School of the Arts, and it has been a wonderful experience! Their teacher is knowledgeable and encouraging. She comes to our house which is a big help with a large family. Our children have progress remarkably and truly enjoy their music endeavors! There are plenty of opportunities to perform and participate in the National Music Festival. They also participated in the percussion camp and writing workshop this summer, and all enjoyed them immensely!Stacey Shaffer

Kate (owner) has been easy to work with, responsive to questions, has easy online payment, and provides a huge bonus – virtual lessons! They even kept lessons going through the pandemic seamlessly. My daughter's teacher, Emily, has been fantastic. She is professional and clearly well trained, and yet she is able to keep lessons pressure free through her encouraging and positive style. My typically shy daughter LOVES her voice and piano lessons. Highly recommend!!!Kelly Botta

As an adult, more than eight years ago, I began taking piano lessons from Kate Griffin, now owner of PSA. She’s an amazing woman, a talented musician, and now has a new, much larger facility for her studio and additional classes in the creative arts. I took an adult class in the summer, “The Art of the Novel and Personal Essay. “ It was fantastic!Sue McCarthy

I’m an adult who never got my driver’s license, and the longer I waited the more the anxiety built and the more I put it off. I decided it was time to finally get over my fear of driving, and so I signed up for three lessons with Cindy Cohen. My instructor, Lenny, was really patient and kind and, during my first lesson, encouraged me to sign up to take the test following my third one. I was a little hesitant, but I decided to believe him and believe in myself… and he was right. After just three lessons, I felt completely confident and was able to pass my driving test! After putting this off for SIX years, I ended up accomplishing it in less than a month with Cindy Cohen’s guidance! I really encourage you to take the test with Cindy Cohen (they’re a third-party testing center) if you can afford it. The familiarity of the car and area really helped my nerves and anxiety! It was completely worth it. Thank you, Cindy Cohen AND ESPECIALLY LENNY!!!Bahaar Esfahani

Going to Cindy Cohen Driving School was such a great decision! I enjoyed every moment of my experience, especially with my instructor Tim. He made me feel so comfortable behind the wheel. His expertise was so helpful, from learning basic vehicle controls to challenging parallel parking. I really loved his teaching skills! After three lessons with Tim, I knew I was well prepared to take my road test. Being behind the wheel with his assistance there was no need to be anxious because I knew he trained me well! With the knowledge he taught me, I received my license in one try, NO MISTAKES! I truly appreciate everything I’ve learned from Cindy Cohen Driving School; thanks to Tim I am a trusted driver on the road, I’M FREE! I definitely recommend attending 10/10Kashani Katrina

This Driving School is 100% THE BEST!!! They’re support is amazing. The teachers are amazing. I always was super nervous and very anxious when it came to driving. My driving instructor really really helped put me at ease. I had Tim as my driver instructor. Who’s not only an amazing driving instructor but an awesome person. He really help with my anxiety on the road. They way he explained things and broke things down was great and very simple to comprehend. He was very reassuring in every aspect. This school is just great all the way around, From the Customer Service to Instructors to Examiners. I would 1000% recommend this school to anyone and everyone. Also I passed my exam with flying colors. I LOVE IT!!!!!Quayonna Jones

I've been lucky enough to work with Nancy and Katie for many many years, finding the right people for hundreds of commercials to short subjects to working with me on the ABC TV series Downward Dog, which I Created and Directed. They are always amazing at finding the best regional talent as well as capable of widening the scope beyond when necessary. Nancy Mosser casting is always one of our first calls when we have a job.michael killen

I am forever grateful to Nancy Mosser Casting. They gave me my first gig, which opened many doors! I am thrilled when I hear Nancy and team are working on a film. I know they will give top quality service to the production and also to the talent. They go above and beyond for everyone! Their casting expertise is beyond exceptional! We are very fortunate to have this team in Pittsburgh!!Laura Welsh

I've worked with Nancy Mosser Casting a bunch of times as an extra and have attended several of their sponsored workshops. Katie Shenot's seminar on the industry and as it works in the Pittsburgh area is a great place to start to get perspective. Their other workshops curated by industry professionals are top notch. Always professional, organized and FUN. If I could rate 6 stars I would!.kevin lawrie

Yoga factory is the best! I have been practicing here for 11 years. I’ve tried many other studios and styles of yoga, but keep coming back here. All their classes are great, but the Hot Yoga 90 (formerly Bikram) style is my favorite. It is very simple to modify and is great if you are working through an injury. The teachers are all amazing and well trained. The studio is clean and very big, so it gets great air circulation. A truly special place! 10/10 would yoga again!Sophia Van Gorder

Love YF!! This is my first time doing hot yoga in my life and I don’t know why I didn’t start earlier! Even if you don’t know what you’re doing- the instructors are the sweetest and always tell you it’s okay to go on your own pace! They really encourage you and are so kind. You feel amazing afterwards, it’s so worth it. I highly recommend trying it out! They always have specials for new students!! You really won’t regret it 🙂Jaime Joseph

I’ve been coming to this studio for ten years. The staff and the type of yoga that they offer totally got me hooked. I will be a forever 90 minute and 26 postures yogi. The staff is excellent in terms of knowledge and their energy. I’ve been to a couple other of these studios throughout the country and nothing compares to this one.Chelsea Ruffo

Initially I had a blast at this place. I showed up about 20 minutes late since I'm not from the area. The girl at the front told me I could pay for two class's when I offered to just observe the first class since I missed half of it at this point. I was pulled into the first class, so I did the class. I did the second class and after the third class I was informed that I needed to pay for the basic class I just did. I'm not holding the getting paid against them, however the manor in which it was handled was very poor. The owner or the greeter could have talked to me between classes, or during the basic class when I was standing alone instead I was ambushed after the classes and guilty into paying for a class I didn't need. Very unprofessional. The instructors are great, but the way they handled this situation means I won't be going back next time I'm in town.Dustin Serrick

Never danced salsa a day in my life. Decided to give it a whirl and see if it was for me. I took their beginner solo salsa 1 class and signed up for a month of classes. Heidi was our dance teacher and she was fantastic! Very encouraging and an excellent teacher, really upbeat and made the classes fun. I had so much fun the first month that I signed up for two more classes the following month! Seriously recommend it for anyone wanting to get into salsa. The classes are affordable and seem to build progressively off each other, so you can seriously improve after just a few months. Thanks so much to Los Sabrosos for helping me discover Salsa dance and fall in love with it!Alec Martin

Unbelievable 1-on-1 and group teaching here. I worked mainly with Heidi and Kristina, who were the best dance instructors I’ve worked with so far. I am a beginner and was visiting Pittsburgh for only a month, so my goal was simply to not lose what I had learned. Little did I know that in one month they’d teach me what would have taken 3 months or more in any other dance studio. Also have awesome Latin dance socials on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. Highly recommend this place with no reservations whatsoever to anyone looking to learn how to dance or build upon what they already know.Brian

Another gem in the Pittsburgh Area. 11.25.18 visit to see Beauty & the Beast Holiday. Our grandkids had a wonderful time and so did we. It is an intimate interactive experience in children's theater. Particularly for the kids brave enough to participate in the show. Our 4 year old was too shy but she especially liked Belle who she came to see. The acting is delightful, the music is enjoyable and the story's message is good. And the kids get to meet with the actors following the show. We can't wait for upcomming performances.Ray Marks

Gemini puts on an amazing summer theater camp for kids. Our 4-year old had a blast the entire week. He'll definitely be back next year. The staff was great with the kids. They let them create the show themselves, including the plot, characters, and props. They present the show to friends and family at the end of the week. Amazing to see what a group of 4-6 year olds could do in a week. Highly recommend to other parents out there.Shaun Kline

Gemini provides a wonderful, fun-filled theater experience that can be enjoyed by the whole family. They encourage children to explore and become immersed in theater by way of casting and having interactive portions to their shows. They also do birthday parties! The staff and cast are very friendly and approachable, and make theater feel like a welcoming, inclusive place.Phil Gorski

I am writing this both as an employee of Higher Voice Studio and a parent of a student. My young child takes ukulele and piano lessons with Jared and Liz, they are great with him. They foster his love of music while teaching him techniques. The HVS community is extremely supportive, which has been proved as he has confidently sung at a few Open Mic Nights. I love watching my son blossom as well as all of our students.Vanessa Klapper

HVS has some of the most welcoming individuals. Singers and instrumentalists of all abilities are able to continue their education and share with others. Scheduling is easy through tuition and makeup group classes spelled out in the initial paperwork. Each person fosters their own technique and growth with their teacher and the musical community as a whole. I love it here.Caitlin Carlisle

Higher Voice Studio is a safe haven for anyone who is interested in voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, and so much more. The community is so positive and everyone is always there to help you become your best in every possible way. Whether you're brand new to music, or an old pro, Higher Voice is the place to find your musical voice in a calm and positive way.Carolyn Smith

I always come to a comedy show at the Improv expecting a great time. It's low ceilings and intimate atmosphere work for the experience. We ordered nachos and pretzels appetizers and drinks before the show started and were able to talk with our waitress and other guests before the show. The prices are a little high, but the atmosphere is magic. Bob Saget and opener Mike Young were the acts, and they were great. The acoustics are decent, but not perfect for music and talking acts. They need to work on the audio. The great thing about the Improv, it's small enough that you don't have a bad seat in the house. Great shows.Jon Hall

Great venue, bad service. Stood outside over an hour for a show starting at 930, doors didn't open till 1015. First drink came..ordered long Island ice tea, it tasted like lemonade, nasty. Ordered coke, didn't come, told waitress and the bill at end of night was overcharged for that coke twice. Next time I'm ordering everything up front. Paying bill too fast. Loved the cushion back seats, would have hated the tiny chairs facing away from the table. I watched waitress spill drinks as they walked, definitely not worth 14 plus for mixed drinks! Beer probably fine.The act was fabulous!Curt Ford

Shows are usually good, although if you're NOT of average height and are not first in line to get into that first walkway/row; you have a damn good chance having a very limited view (especially if the comic sits down, if they seat late arrivals in front of you, or if you are somehow seated behind a living reincarnation of Shrek from halfway back in the audience or more). Two item minimum with all shows, menu items are pricey, but if you're part of their email list you have chances for free tickets.Missa Catanzaro

Open Stage has very talented actors, directors, and staff. Every show I have seen at Open Stage was wonderful, the shows they select are thought-provoking, they also put on new musicals, cabarets, drag shows, and concerts. They have new productions every month and weekly shows in their beautifully decorated bar. The cocktails on their menu are all so good, they even have some mocktails. I highly recommend Open Stage for families, date nights, and random fun nights out!Dan MacGregor

I child I know is enrolled in the class. Being a senior student who has NEVER gotten even near a major roll, got one of the smallest roles in the play, while others that ALWAYS get major roles did. This is by fAR one of the most unfair programs ever. They should re assign roles because from what I heard… oshkids sucks.Harry Mccormick

Totally enjoyed a new twist on Hercule Poirot and his quirky persona played by the gifted and talented Stuart Landon. Open Stage of Harrisburg always produces quality theater productions. This was not the first and won't be my last time attending a show or play there. Their creativity soars on every level.Stacey Reed-MacGregor

I have been taking classes with Sarah for level 1 and she’s been great. The classes are chill and fun but they do try to push you to get out of your comfort zone and give you really good tips for becoming a better improviser. If you’ve been thinking about taking improv classes, this is a great place. There are other places in Pittsburgh that do it so you can’t really go wrong because I’ve heard good things as well.E J

SCIT is a great place to watch and learn improv. There's a great group of people there who appreciate the art form and are happy to meet and accept others who do too, regardless of skill level. The shows are a lot of fun to watch and the price is very reasonable. I'm taking classes now and enjoy the experience immensely. I recommend everyone try the free class. Warning, you may get hooked!Shawn Hanna

If it's improv theater you want this is it. Can't go wrong with the name Steel City. A great variety of shows to see. Well kept theater. Very professional staff. Justin and Casey run a tight ship. Just minutes away from food and drinks. Feel free to have it meal before or after shows. Steel City also teaches workshops and classes. Good for anyone starting improv or needs a good tune up.Paul Valenti

Terrific location, right on the corner of Broad St, so there is ample on-street parking as well as lots around the area. I was attending a gallery opening and had a great experience. Getting to the gallery showroom takes two flights of stairs if you enter from the side entrance, but once you're there, the gallery opens up nicely. There's plenty of space for bands and networking on the gallery floor. Alex, who helped host the show, was extraordinarily helpful to everyone who had any questions or comments. You can easily spend hours here marveling at the artwork.Jon Hall

My Daughter went to a children's cooking class and she enjoyed it. I did spend a nice chunk of change for her to go, I would love to take some classes myself and also have my Daughter involved in other activities. I find the issue being classes are expensive and it's a shame because more children should be able to enjoy themselves learning new things and be able to have fun in a safe environment. Staff treated us very well and the teacher was sweet and attentive to the children.. my daughter was the youngest child in her class.Midnight Moonflower

My son participated in a clay camp this summer and absolutely loved it! It was a week long class and they made so many different things! He had a blast and will definitely be returning next year. The price is a great value for the amount of things the kids get to bring home. I'd recommend for any age group. They offer a wide variety of classes that any artsy child would love!Melanie Phillips

Checked out a free Brown Bag Show at The now "Bitz Opera Factory", featuring the works of Federico Garcia Lorca. The space was intimately cozy! The Performers were all so Lovely & put on a Stellar experience! They are all highly talented!! Love that the Pittsburgh Opera/Cultural Trust does these smaller scale free events, so wonderful & informative. This show ignited My interested in a very ahHhmazing Artist I would have other wise perhaps never been aware of! If you are interested in Opera, Poetry, Similar Art forms, or simply expanding Your horizons & perhaps even learning a bit. I'd suggest checking out one these Brown bag Shows at least once! Very cool & its Free! If You have it to spare donations are welcomed… There will be one more show of this Brown Bag Series May Seventh it will be Kid Focused; games & things of that nature with a performance suited for the whole family!Christina Underwood

I've been going to performances for years. It is one of my highlights of the year. It's always a pleasure to watch your renditions of classic operas at the Benedum. I'm looking forward to next year's season already! There are four that I just can't miss. Great lineup. I'm a big fan of older operas performed in French, German, Russian, etc. However, they also have contemporary operas written in English. I attended one, The Rose Elf, at the headquarters, The Bitz Opera Factory. It was a smaller production with 3 singers. A much more intimate experienceEloise J. Li

Saw an excellent production of Jake Heggie's Moby Dick, reinforcing the importance of regional companies introducing modern works with set designs that can travel to other medium sized houses. Beautiful venue but the staff and audience were atrocious. I would think twice before seeing a production at the Benedum: audience members come and go, socialize, snore, take phone calls. Staff were more interested in finding an empty seat to watch the show rather than assist and control audience.Dylan Hayden

While the space is beautiful and the drinks are delicious, after a recent private event I attended I can't recommend having Kingfly host your event. Kingfly provided two bartenders to serve drinks for "up to two hours" of bar service during which they expected the attendees to meet a minimum of $3000 for drinks. At an average drink price of $10, this means that the two bartenders would need to make 300 drinks in two hours, 150 drinks each. That means each bartender is supposedly mixing MORE THAN ONE DRINK PER MINUTE (150 drinks per bartender in 120 minutes), while also running tabs and processing payments. Unfortunately no matter how many attendees were present, there is a mathematical impossibility here. If you are thinking of having an event at Kingfly, know that you'll be set up to fail so that Kingfly can bill you later at 100% profit.Miles Dog

I stood in line for 30 mins for a drink. It was 7:30pm and all the food was sold out except some stale pretzels they charged us for. The service was excruciatingly slow. No sense or urgency from the bartenders and the bartender at the upstairs bar for our event was out of half his stuff as well. When told, the manager told us "it was a busy night". It wasn't. I've worked as a bar tender and still associate with many. I would have been fired for how slow the service was and there is no excuse for running out of anything at 7:30 on a Saturday night. You as a business should know that that is gonna be busy night automatically and prepare for it accordingly. Also, they were doing work on one of their stills and kept leaving tools and pipes on the floor with no signs or notices warning you. Viciously over priced and unprofessional space.Jeffery Hames

As a bar, Kingfly is great! As a wedding venue, Kingfly is amazing! We knew we didn’t want a traditional wedding reception venue and are so happy we found Kingfly. Initially, we were going to rent the entire space but COVID gathering restrictions and a greatly reduced guest count led us to just renting the upstairs Loft. The space is so unique and was perfect for our wedding of about 70 guests. Noelle and Francesca were great to work with throughout the planning process and were always ready to answer questions. We had two custom cocktails for our wedding (The Camden and The Koa) and they were a hit with our guests! We had so much fun and really appreciate the great attitudes and hard work from all the Kingfly staff!Natalie Zazula

This is a great little theatre. I brought my Mom to see their production of Forbidden Broadway and we had a blast! The staff was as friendly and helpful as anyone could ask for. Their house is a theatre-in-the-round setup with a few rows of traditional theater seats near the stage and surrounded by cabaret tables behind. When mom and I went, some work was being done on the road that leads to their entrance. Don't let the "road closed" signs worry you. Their lot is open and the entrance is right next to those signs.David Ballinger

Wonderful little theater. The child actors were impressively talented. We enjoyed the Frozen show with our daughter and it was the perfect afternoon for us. The show was an hour long with no intermission which was ideal for a 5 year old's attention span.Matthew Nichols

This is a little, intimate, place that offers a variety of shows for all ages. It has you seated all around the stage, so you get a different perspective than most theaters. It is little, so making reservations is a good idea.Naor Wallach

I'm giving five stars only because I cannot give six. Their production of Evil Dead the Musical was non-stop fun, with a talented cast, strong dialogue and hilarious plot twists. Inspired by all three original movies, there are many Easter eggs. For someone who's never seen any of the movies before (like me) it was still fun and engaging, campy and wild. Luckily we did NOT sit in the splash zone. 😂Megan Lloyd

It was a joy to see Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s production of “Hair”. The casting was great and everyone seemed to be really enjoying themselves. I bought the LP in 1968 and saw the Odd Chair Playhouse production in the ‘70s. So I was very familiar with the music. It was good to see an old favorite performed with such energy and talent. Thank you for the experience.John Cherry

Wow!! I saw "In The Heights" there! A BIG show in a small, intimate theater…right in my community! Seating was close, but comfortable. The sound was very good. This particular production was excellent!!!! I thought the ticket was a bit pricey for a small theater, but for that caliber of performance…worth it!! I'll definitely go again.Karen White