Trekking into downtown Pittsburgh to see the latest productions of “ Wicked ” or “ Finding Neverland ” is the benefit of a community with a prized historical theater district . But how about watching the latest tragedy of “ A Medieval Christmas Carol ”? Or maybe “ The King ’ s Other Men ”? Plays like this can only be found at Stage & Steel Community Theater in Carnegie .
In six years , this community theater group has set itself apart from the rest . Opened in 2010 by Ruth Comley and three of her friends , Stage & Steel has created 17 unique productions to date that put a twist on the familiar .
“ My husband calls me fearless and maybe a bit reckless ,” says Comley . “ But I love this theater group and what we bring to the community .”
Stage & Steel produces medieval and fantasy-themed plays revolving around the Renaissance — they include a lot of stage combat using sword fights and digital scenery to set the tone . “ We are unlike any theater group in Pittsburgh and that ’ s exactly what I set out to do .”
Comley ’ s path to Stage & Steel has been a winding one since her childhood in upstate New York . “ I grew up 70 miles north of New York City in an ‘ IBM town ,’” says Comley . “ Everyone either worked at IBM or for a company supporting IBM . After graduating from college with a degree in computer science , I also began working for IBM . But after two years , I was laid off and had to decide what I wanted to do with my life .”
Growing up in the ’ 70s and ’ 80s , Comley loved the movies , particularly the special effects . She and her friends would do their best to duplicate what they saw using elementary tricks and tactics . This passion is what led her to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh .
“ Even though my father wanted me to stay in New York , attending The Art Institute was the best decision I made ,” says Comley . “ It was the most wonderful two years of my life . I learned all about special effects and how they are produced for stage and movies . I was ready to get started in my new career .”
But after graduation , the special effects industry was already progressing into a digital format . A move to California would be necessary if Comley wanted to pursue her dreams , but she loved Pittsburgh and decided to make her mark here instead .
Building a theater group doesn ’ t happen overnight . It takes time , energy , money and skill , along with a love of acting and performing , and surrounding oneself with the right people . All of that happened for Comley — it just took 20 years of teaching at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh , and currently at Carnegie Mellon University , to become a reality . “ I never saw myself as a teacher , but I absolutely love it . I ’ ve been able to pass on my knowledge about computer animation and graphics , along with project management , to many young people and put my own skills to the test helping to build Stage & Steel .”
Comley taught herself stage combat then passed it on to the theater group actors . She writes the plays and helps design the scenery using digital technology and traditional set pieces . She also incorporates broadsword fighting into most of their productions . “ There ’ s something about a good sword fight that keeps everyone on their toes ,” says Comley .
Stage & Steel creations are not based in reality — they are interpretations of wellknown dramas . “ Knights of the Living Dead ” is a twist on the original “ Nights of the Living Dead ,” but with sword fights and death scenes — and audience participation .
“ Oh yes , we require the audience to participate ,” says Comley . “ Depending on the production , we may ask the audience to choose the ending , ask questions to identify the murderer , or even come on stage and read a few lines in the play . And they definitely need to boo or cheer when the time comes .”
Stage & Steel Community Theater has eight to 12 actors in each production ,
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Carlynton-Montour | Winter 2016 | icmags . com 17