Episode Details

Karla Boos, Founder and Artistic Director of Quantum Theatre, will be leaving the company at the end of 2026 after triumphant 36 years. She joined Jim Cunningham to talk about the new season, and her retirement.

For her final show with Quantum, Karla will direct a production of Shakespeare's The Tempest from July 17th through August 23rd. She tells Jim why she chose it and gives her thoughts on the play. Karla and Quantum have a long relationship with Shakespeare, the playwright making his first appearance with the company for Antony and Cleopatra in 1997. In addition to The Tempest, Quantum will also show Liza Birkenmeier's radio island (Oct. 23 - Nov. 15), and the world premiere of Morag Shepard's Cassandra (Apr. 9 - May 2, 2027).

Karla was born in Las Vegas and grew up in West Virginia before settling in Pittsburgh. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, then pursued a Master of Fine Arts at California Institute for the Arts. In her 36 years with Quantum Theatre, she has directed thirty percent of its 106 productions.

You can read more about Karla's retirement and check out Quantum Theatre's upcoming season on their website.

Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.