The Riverfront Theater Company, RTC, is celebrating its 65th anniversary and ARP is thankful to partner with such a great, longstanding organization.
As the 65th anniversary is commonly recognized as a “sapphire” year, RTC has decided to theme this year their sapphire season. As to encompass the idea of gems, the full title is: “Every Family Has a Jewel.” The idea is that families can be dysfunctional sapphires.
Caitlin Dobronz, the artistic director of RTC, is responsible for choosing seasons, facilitating, and producing shows. Dobronz is also in charge of the social media presence for the company.
Caitlin Dobronz, Artistic Director of RTC
Every year, RTC produces a show in the park. This year, they will present Freaky Friday at the end of July, tickets already available.
“That is our youth show that we do every summer in the park,” Dobronz explained. “It’s a fully realized production. The kids work all summer on it and we don’t do the youth version. We do a full musical version and we set it up in the park: full lights, music, everything.”
The show will premiere on July 31 through August 2.
“That is right before the new movie opens,” Dobronz added.
Freakier Friday, the sequel to a fan-favorite Disney film, comes to theaters on August 8 2025. In anticipation of this film, RTC deemed this the perfect weekend to produce their show.
RTC’s next production, Next to Normal, opens November 14 and runs until the 22nd. Next to Normal is a lesser-known show about an American family trying to act normal while being everything but that. It addresses issues such as grief and ethics in psychiatry.
“We’ve been with the park for many years now. We’re Aspinwall’s only theater company. We’re actually the only theater company on that side of the river,” Dobronz explained “We utilize a lot of small businesses as well.”
Dobronz was unsure when the initial relationship with Allegheny RiverTrail Park began, but had other important information on their partnership with the park.
The Riverfront Theater Company was originally called the Fox Chapel Players. In 2019, RTC was invited to make Allegheny RiverTrail Park, at the time known as Aspinwall Riverfront Park, their permanent home. As both groups are nonprofits, an agreement came into place so that they could achieve a similar goal: provide something for the community.
Shortly after in 2021, the park changed its name from Aspinwall Riverfront Park to Allegheny RiverTrail Park to better reflect the openness to the region. Due to this, the names of the organizations are slightly different.
Despite being a new staff member, Dobronz has made great strides to move the organization forward.
“They’ve trusted me with such an important position,” Dobronz began. “RTC really said ‘yes, and.’ They’ve really allowed themselves to be led by me towards a more ambitious direction.”
Dobronz believes that the new direction of the company has opened the doors to many more viewers and members.
“We just did our first drag bingo. It was a really successful fundraiser for us, but I think more so than anything, it gave space for performance for performers that didn’t have a place at Riverfront [theater] prior,” Dobronz discussed the newest program. “And they asked to come back. They felt welcomed.”
This event was held this past June on the 8th at Spirit PGH. The event was $40 and doors opened at 4 p.m. After having seven performers come out for the first one, RTC is hoping to do another one this year.
Dobronz was asked how the company works to get people to come see their shows.
“That has been probably the hardest thing since I’ve started,” Dobronz admitted.
Audience numbers are lower than they have been in a very long time across Pittsburgh, proving this is an issue at every theater company.
“I think the thing that you have to do is put on shows and performances that are relevant,” Dobronz stated. “People want to see themselves reflected on stage. People want to see art that feels relevant and that feels like themselves, which is why I picked the season because I felt like it would be a peak behind closed doors. It might make people feel more welcomed into a space that they didn’t feel like they belonged.”
In the hopes to bring people to newer material, Dobronz stated that she was excited to see the company come so far.
“We’re in a transition year right now. I’m really proud of the things we can invite people to later this year and next year,” Dobronz added.
Not only is she working to make a great season for the duration of 2025, but is already looking into the future to see how RTC can continue to move in the right direction and push theater in the Pittsburgh area.
Bill Jacka (light and sound), Caitlin, Katy Chmura (Freaky Friday director)
ARP is excited to host Freaky Friday on July 31. Auditions for this show are over, but the park will host the tryouts for Next to Normal on August 12-13 from 7-9:30 p.m. August 14-15 are for callbacks. RTC asks auditionees to prepare a 32-bar song.
Riverfront Theater Company hopes that you can join them in pushing their message of change and personal reflection. Whether you come to see Freaky Friday in July or another production down the road, they would be excited for you to be a part of their journey.
