Who are we?
The Pittsburgh Savoyards, Inc. is a semiprofessional, community-based, non-profit theater company funded primarily by local contributions and ticket sales. We are certified as a 501-C3 Non Profit Educational Organization by the Federal Government IRS; donations to the Pittsburgh Savoyards are Federal tax deductable.
We operate for the purposes of perpetuating the heritage of Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas, and providing a hands-on opportunity for interested persons to learn about and experience musical theater. While our focus is the performance of the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, we occasionally perform non-Gilbert and Sullivan concerts and other composers' comic operas. The Company has been in existence since 1938, and is informally affiliated with a number of similar groups throughout the country.
The name "Savoyards" comes from the Savoy Theater in London, where many of the operas premiered and were performed for many years, and is used by groups throughout the world to indicate their devotion to these works. The comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan are historic treasures and only the works of William Shakespeare are performed more often in the tradition of the English theater.
Productions are performed and produced, for the most part, by dedicated volunteers from the greater Pittsburgh area under professional direction. The fully-orchestrated performances also feature many local professional musicians, and members of the Pittsburgh Opera Chorus and Mendelssohn Choir, most of whom are there because they share our love of this body of work, and the friendly atmosphere engendered within the group.
What do we do?
Each season, we present two full stage production runs of Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas with full orchestral accompaniment. Tickets are offered to the public at an unusually low price (the most expensive show ticket during the 2007 season was $17). The artistic quality of the Company's performances is especially high. These productions provide our audience with entertainment which can be enjoyed by young and older people alike. We produce and stage professional quality shows suitable for the entire family; recent performances have been very well received by both audiences and reviewers,
We encourage outreach to the community in several ways. We encourage high school students to help with technical and artistic aspects of our performances allowing them an opportunity to work & perform in a real theatre environment. At each of our regular shows, we provide tickets to interested high schools, convalescent homes, and other non profit groups, to encourage them to be exposed to this rich cultural medium. We perform in small group ensembles in community events. We encourage and enable beginning and experienced on-stage performers to develop their art.
Where have we been, and where are we going?
For many years, the Company did not have a permanent home.
For most of its history, properties were stored in several temporary
locations, with frequent moves required as donated or affordable space
became available. Early in 1993, the Company was able to secure space in
the Andrew Carnegie Free Library Music Hall in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. This
historic building is over 100 years old, and has a performance hall which
is suitable for the Company's purposes. It is also very accessible
(Carnegie is easily reached from the Parkway West, Interstate 79, State
Route 50, and other roads), and has ample parking.
Currently, the ACFL&MH is in a reconstruction phase, to restore the beautiful building originally created for the Carnegie Area.
During this stage, we have changed venues to best present each performance, Season 68 & 69 performances relocated to the Catherine Thomas Theatre in the Catherine Thomas Theatre at the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, on Perrysville Ave., just off of I-279, Exit 12. (Catherine Thomas Theatre)
For our 70th season we will return to the ACFL&MH ( known as "the Carnegie" Carnegie) 
as they take a break in their reconstruction. Visit them at www.carnegiecarnegie.com
How do we operate?
The Company is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees, whose members are elected to staggered two-year terms by the membership at its Annual Meeting.
Membership in the Pittsburgh Savoyards is open to all interested people that wish to learn, particpate, perform or support Gilbert & Sullivan performances, whether on the stage, in the orchestra or behind the scenes; Members must be at least 18 years of age and complete membership dues requirements ( dues are $15 per season; active participants are granted a reduced rate of $5 ) .
The Company has no full-time paid staff. Some positions such as the Stage and Music Directors, may receive a stipend for a production. Lead singers, instrumentalists, and some other technical positions may also carry a small stipend to make them more attractive to the skilled artistic staff the Company requires, depending on the production, and to certify their performances in a professional role. Otherwise, all organizational work is performed on a voluntary basis.
Ticket income generally provides more than 90% of the production cost of a performance, with the balance coming from donations, grants, fund raisers, and concessions.