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