Pittsburgh Public Theater employees received letters ending their employment at the theater company on Tuesday.
A separation letter obtained by TribLive news partner WTAE stated the Public faces “ongoing financial constraints” and will forgo its fall season ahead of a forthcoming merger with the Pittsburgh CLO.
“It is with sincere regret your position has been eliminated,” the letter stated, signed by Krysia Kubiak, chair of the PPT’s board of directors. “This decision was not made lightly. We recognize and appreciate your dedication, hard work and the wonderful contributions you have made to the Public during your employment.”
WTAE is reporting that all staff members have been terminated.
The boards of both the Pittsburgh Public Theater and Pittsburgh CLO voted to merge into one organization in March, with the merger expected to launch in January 2027. The possibility of a merger was first explored in August 2025 — and originally included the South Side’s City Theatre — with the organizations citing financial challenges including arts funding cuts and reduced ticket sales.
Calls to Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh CLO and Resilere, the communications firm representing the two organizations in the merger, were not immediately returned on Wednesday.