Greensburg Civic Theatre is celebrating its 75th Season, founded in 1951 by some folks who wanted an organization where actors could act, craftspeople could build and paint sets, create costumes, find props, and create live entertainment for Greensburg and the Westmoreland Community! GCT currently stages five productions each season for adult and family audiences and added its first Summer Camp for ages 5-18 last summer with another Camp already scheduled for July 2027. GCT’s first 18 years were nomadic, producing shows in the round at the National Guard Armory on Pennsylvania Avenue, Westmoreland Museum of Art, Loyal Order of Moose Auditorium on East Otterman Street, and the former Greensburg High School (now the location of Greensburg Middle School).
GCT was one of three organizations invited to be a tenant at Greensburg Garden & Civic Center (GGCC) when philanthropist Katherine Mabis McKenna gifted the multi-purpose facility to the City of Greensburg in 1969. Located at 951 Old Salem Road, the venue continues to serve as a base and home to the non-profit volunteer-managed community theatre, the longest existing organization of its kind in Westmoreland County. At one time, Greensburg Civic Theatre mounted large-scale musicals at The Palace Theatre each fall from 1994-2003 (except in 2002) in conjunction with Westmoreland Symphonic Winds from Seton Hill University, including “The King and I”, “The Music Man”, “Oklahoma”, “Annie Get Your Gun”, and “Brigadoon”. GCT chooses its upcoming season each spring, comprised of musicals, comedies, and occasional dramas and mysteries, and opened its 75th Season with the musical “Come From Away” in September. The musical “Dear Evan Hansen” will be presented February 5-7, 2027.
GCT created a committee in 1986 called Greasepaint Players to produce shows geared to family audiences and provide a platform for youth to perform and learn the art of stagecraft. Marking 40 years now, Greasepaint Players stages two productions this season including Disney’s “Newsies Jr.” slated for December 4 and 5 at Greensburg Garden & Civic Center with a cast of about 50, all age 18 and under.
GCT has an awesome history related to local talent in Westmoreland County. While many have volunteered on stage and behind the scenes with GCT, more than a few who came through the ranks as youth or young adults went on to professional careers in the performing arts, film, television and media. Some have performed on Broadway (“Wicked”) and worked on national and international touring shows (“Hamilton”, “Hairspray”, “Grease”, “Pippi Longstocking”, to name a few), established a career performing on cruise ships around the world, and others developed careers in arts administrators and education for organizations including Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Erie Playhouse, Westmoreland Cultural Trust, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. (A history of GCT’s 320+ shows including many program links can be found at https://www.gctheatre.org/history)
As many non-profits do, GCT relies on grants and fundraising to cover costs for productions and operations, including support from The Pittsburgh Foundation, the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, and Pennsylvania Creative Industries / Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. An end-of-75th-season celebration will commemorate this Diamond Anniversary milestone in June 2027!
GCT encourages anyone looking to volunteer behind the scenes to reach out regarding opportunities in stage management, set construction, painting, costumes, lighting and sound, props, marketing, etc. Some positions pay a modest stipend. Please email GCT President Teresa Baughman at info@gctheatre.org or send a direct message via GCT’s Facebook page. For info on upcoming productions and auditions, visit GCTheatre.org or Facebook.com/greensburgcivictheatre.
We are incredibly grateful for the work of all volunteers involved with Greensburg Civic Theatre over the past (almost) 75 years to provide opportunities for local youth in the theatre and performing arts space. Thank you for continuing to provide these opportunities, and we are happy to recognize GCT as the November Non-Profit of the Month!
