Join Our E-Club BUY TICKETS VISIT CLO CABARET EDUCATION SUPPORT ABOUT CONSTRUCTION CENTER SPARK STORE CLO History On February 20, 1946, the Civic Light Opera Association held a press luncheon to announce its very first season. Immediately, talk of a new era in Pittsburgh’s cultural life made a huge splash in all three of the city’s daily newspapers. In fact, the Sun Telegraph predicted that “the CLO will inaugurate a cycle in the city’s musical history that will outlive us all.” 1946 Civic Light Opera premieres at Pitt Stadium 1955 The Civic Light Opera Guild is established 1959 Civic Light Opera moves to the Melody Tent 1962 The Civic Arena is built for the CLO displaying the world’s first retractable roof 1972 Pittsburgh CLO moves to the beautifully renovated Heinz Hall 1985 The Gallery of Heroes program is established 1988 Pittsburgh CLO moves to its current home in the Benedum Center 1989 The doors open at the Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theater 1991 The premiere of the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater 1992 A Musical Christmas Carol opens at the Byham Theater 2001 The CLO/CMU New Works Project is established to encourage the development of new works 2004 Pittsburgh CLO introduces year-round entertainment with the opening of the CLO Cabaret 2005 Pittsburgh CLO helps form Elephant Eye Theatricals as a member of 5 Cent Productions 2009 Pittsburgh CLO is co-founder of The National High School Musical Theatre Awards 2010 Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 20 years of the Gene Kelly Awards 2011 Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 20 years of A Musical Christmas Carol at the Byham Theater 2014 An American in Paris debuts in Paris 2015 Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 25 years of the Gene Kelly Awards, 25 years of the CLO Academy, 30 years of Gallery of Heroes. An American in Paris debuts on Broadway 2016 Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 25 years of A Musical Christmas Carol at the Byham Theater 2019 Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 15 years of the CLO Cabaret 2021 Pittsburgh CLO celebrates 75 years with spectacular performances & events at Heinz Field ABOUT News Contact Us Commitment To Change Statement CLOse Ups Auditions Employment Opportunities CLO History History of Shows CLO on Broadway CLO Alumni Artist Database Board of Directors CONTACT US BUY TICKETS GROUP SALES DIRECTIONS & PARKING DONATE NOW CLO CABARET EDUCATION CONSTRUCTION CENTER CALENDAR NEW WORKS PRESS ROOM PRIVACY & SECURITY Pittsburgh CLO Administrative Offices 719 Liberty Avenue, 6th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 © 2019 Pittsburgh CLO. All Rights Reserved. Pittsburgh CLO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.