Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre

Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company (PPTCO) is rooted in the African American community and dedicated to producing the works of local, culturally diverse playwrights. By staging Pittsburgh-themed plays and nurturing talent both on and off the stage, we build bridges between communities and strengthen our civic fabric through the power of shared storytelling.

We are committed to cultivating a professional ecosystem that reflects the true diversity of Pittsburgh. From our management staff to our Board of Directors, we work in concert to engage audiences that are as multifaceted as the city itself.

PPTCO serves as a vital center for learning, discovery, and connection. We prioritize the development of emerging and established artists—specifically those from marginalized communities or non-traditional backgrounds—ensuring that every voice has the opportunity to be heard, seen, and celebrated.

Paradox of Education by Ty Greenwood | April 4-20, 2026

Paradox of Education is a bold and unflinching look at the cost of ambition and the pursuit of belonging within America’s higher education system.

This gripping play unfolds at a prestigious PWI, where a group of Black scholars fight to hold space in a world that was never built for them. What begins as shared laughter and solidarity soon unravels into a relentless exploration of identity, expectation, and survival within an institution that celebrates diversity but resists change.

As friendships are tested and dreams collide with reality, Paradox of Education asks the urgent question, “Where do I belong?”

BURNBABYBURN: an american dream by a.k. payne | August 19-September 20, 2026

Set in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and Homewood neighborhoods, BURNBABYBURN: an american dream moves fluidly through time as a young woman, Sky II, embarks on a journey to heal herself and the generations who came before her.

Through photographs that flicker with memory and meaning, she reaches across decades to touch the lives of her ancestors. Four generations of women draw nearer to one another as they confront the truths of motherhood, love, loss, and a city that both holds and haunts their dreams.

In this tender, time—bending story, a.k. payne reminds us that memory is fragile, history is human, and as she writes, “cameras tells lots of lies i cannot make any promises of fact.”

Fishy Woo Woo Part 2 by Monteze Freeland | October 16-31, 2026

In 2024, Fishy Woo Woo introduced audiences to a lovable, slightly chaotic crew of elder millennial friends who proved that no matter how messy life gets, the bond is mighty real.

Two years later, the gang has fled Atlanta and settled into a quiet Delaware life, or at least they try to. But when Halloween rolls around, what starts as a night of laughs, costumes, and cocktails quickly turns into a scandalous showdown. Char is the focus of this iteration as she is pregnant but keeping a tight lip about the father… until someone unexpected shows up ready to stir the cauldron.

It is tricks, treats, and total mayhem as this crew faces the ghosts of their past. This is a jaw dropping night they will never forget, even if they wish they could.