The leadership of Pittsburgh Public Theater and Pittsburgh CLO announced Wednesday that the boards of both companies have voted to merge into a new cultural institution.

“This theater will be a dynamic destination in the city’s Cultural District as part of the broader Downtown revitalization already underway, energizing audiences of all ages and perspectives with inventive, year-round programming,” the two organizations wrote in an email to supporters.

This journey began in August 2025 when the CLO and PPT announced they were exploring the possibility of a three-way merger that would also include City Theatre on the South Side.

In a letter to supporters, directors from the three companies cited “shrinking federal arts funding, tightening demands on philanthropic priorities and the erosion of traditional subscriber models amid ever-widening entertainment choices” as reasons behind the possible move.

The letter read, in part: “For us — our city’s three largest independent producing companies — these convergent circumstances demand we think creatively and work together in a way that puts our artists and patrons first.”

City Theatre said in January that its board decided not to pursue a continued examination of the merger. In a statement emailed to supporters on Jan. 27, heads of the three companies wrote, “We are writing to share that the Boards did not reach united alignment on a vote solely to authorize participation in a proposed three-way consolidation process. City Theatre will remain independent, while Pittsburgh CLO and Pittsburgh Public Theater explore the possibility of a two-way merger that was not contemplated as part of this vote. This process was never about a predetermined result.”

The two remaining companies said last week that they were moving forward to vote on a consolidation plan. They cited intentions to stage productions that included both PPT’s current program of contemporary plays and the CLO’s larger-scale musicals at theaters in Downtown Pittsburgh.

They revealed that programming for the new combined organization would begin in January 2027. The Pittsburgh CLO’s 80th anniversary season will continue as planned this summer, and Pittsburgh Public Theater’s season will also continue.

In the email, the coalition also announced that Brett Ashley Crawford, a teaching professor and faculty chair of the Master of Arts and Entertainment Management program at Carnegie Mellon University, will be the head of the transition team to guide the joining of the two companies on an accelerated time frame. An interim board has also been appointed, and they are tasked with deciding legal and organizational structure, artistic vision and venue strategy.

“Together, we can create a stronger, more sustainable approach that ensures live theater thrives for generations to come and our cultural vibrancy continues to serve as a vital anchor for one of the most livable cities in the world,” the joint email reads.

“With this historic opportunity, we have landed exactly where we are meant to be. We will be providing regular updates as we move forward.”

A request for additional comment from Resilere, the firm handling communications for the new company, was not immediately returned.