PBT School - 2026 Tour

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

PBT School, the official training institution of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, is recognized as one of the nation’s finest schools for dance education and training. Under the direction of PBT School Dean Raymond Rodriguez, PBT School provides a diverse dance curriculum to students across its Children’s, Student, and Pre-Professional Divisions. Ranging from pre-ballet to pre-professional, PBT School fosters the expression, discipline, and joy of ballet at every level and cultivates the next generation of professional dancers. All PBT School instructors are certified through level 5 in the American Ballet Theatre curriculum. While students grow in their technique and artistry, PBT School works to instill a long-term appreciation for the art of ballet and the values it embodies.

PBT School is committed to:

Providing ballet education and training of the highest caliber that prepares students for professional careers in dance
Welcoming students of all levels, interests, and backgrounds
Fostering an equitable and inclusive environment
Focusing on the dancer as a whole person and nurturing them into creative, confident, and well-rounded individuals

ABOUT THE STUDIOS

The School’s modern and air-conditioned facility is located in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, just 1.5 miles from the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. It features seven spacious studios with sprung, Harlequin floors. Live music accompanies most classes.

In September 2016, PBT opened the doors to an expanded facility featuring floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Liberty Avenue. The 14,000-square-foot, $6.5 million annex adjoins PBT’s original five-studio facility at 2900 Liberty Avenue, adding two spacious dance studios, an expanded Pilates and Gyrotonic studio, and new adult and pre-professional dressing rooms. In 2023, new sprung, harlequin floors were installed in the remaining five studios.

Faculty member Marcella Day teaching a jazz class

The HoTopp Lounge, a space for students to relax or do schoolwork between classes

Students attending the summer and year-round programs have access to the following within PBT Studios:

Dressing rooms by program -- Student Division dressing rooms with cubbies and restrooms for those attending YSI, or, the Pre-Professional Dressing rooms with lockers, restrooms, and showers for those attending CE, ISP, or the Pre-Professional Division
Student lounge areas, great for relaxing before class or working on schoolwork between classes
A kitchenette with a microwave and a sink
Water bottle refilling stations on both floors, in addition to an RO filtered tap in the kitchenette
Food and beverage vending machines

Studio Policies & FAQs

Q: What food/snacks can I bring to the studios? Are there any nearby places to eat?

A: Students are welcome to bring/pack their own snacks both for campus and the studios. Near the studios there are a handful of walkable places to grab a bite out or bring food back. At PBT students have access to a microwave, a filtered tap and sink, a food vending machine, and a beverage vending machine. Only water should be brought into the dance studios.

Q: How many studios does PBT have? How big are they?

A: PBT has seven studios. The smallest studio can fit about 25 dancers, and the largest studio can fit about 50 dancers.

Q: What is the studio like where the demonstrations take place?

A: There are a few studios we have used for demonstrations. We have three larger studios that we have used for more informal demonstrations like for classwork. Our largest studio, D/E, can become a 'black box' theatre for a bit more formal showing (approx. 140 audience members). We utilize risers, some stage lights, and curtains to create a transformed performance space.

Prospective Family Site

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