Dr. Ken Gargaro BIO
Dr. Ken Gargaro’s career in the performing arts in Pittsburgh spans nearly five decades.
His dedication to the arts and to education continues to transform the local musical
theater scene. Disciplined training leading to immediate testing on the public stage
forms the foundation of his artistic philosophy. The outcome of this artistic vision can be
seen across the nation in the Broadway, Touring, TV, Film, Publishing and
Entrepreneurial work of those whose educational pursuits and performing careers
intersected with Dr. Gargaro’s career as a producer, director and educator.
He is the Founder of Pittsburgh Musical Theater and led the company for 25 years
before retiring. He continues to support the vision of PMT as an Emeritus board
member. As well, he is a Professor Emeritus of English at Robert Morris University and
a former board member for the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Recently his broad experience as an entrepreneur and educator have led to
consultancies with Lincoln Park, Pa Cyber and the Community College of Beaver
County.
Profile
Dr. Gargaro’s career in the performing arts in Western Pennsylvania spans five
decades. His dedication to the arts and to education continues to transform the local
educational and performing arts scene. Disciplined training leading to immediate testing
on the public stage forms the foundation of his artistic philosophy. The outcome of this
artistic vision can be seen across the nation in the Broadway, Touring, TV, Film,
Publishing and Entrepreneurial work of those whose educational pursuits and
performing careers intersected with Dr. Gargaro’s career as a producer, director and
educator.
Experience
FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PITTSBURGH MUSICAL
THEATER — 1990-2015 (RETIRED)
Producer, Director, CEO of mid sized 501c3 performing arts organization.
FOUNDER AND DEAN, RICHARD E. RAUH CONSERVATORY — 1995-2015
(RETIRED)
Founder, curriculum writer, teacher and administrator. Founded as the educational arm
of Pittsburgh Musical Theater.
PROFESSOR OF COMMUNICATION AND ENGLISH, ROBERT MORRIS
UNIVERSITY — 2003-2018 (RETIRED AUGUST 31, 2018)
Coordinator of theatre program, developer of theatre concentration, producer/director of
four show series, founder of choral program and teacher of theater, humanities and
music.
ARTISTIC CONSULTANT, LINCOLN PARK PERFORMING ARTS AND CHARTER
SCHOOL — 2015-2017
Led the executive reorganization of the Arts Center. Developed a strategic plan to
emphasize the synergies between the Arts Center and the related Performing Arts
Charter School.
STRATEGIC VISION CONSULTANT, PA CYBER AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF
BEAVER COUNTY — 2016-2017
Led visioning, mission and strategic planning process.
PRODUCER AND TEACHER, POINT PARK UNIVERSITY — 1982-1993
Producer, director, musical director for the professional company at the Pittsburgh
Playhouse. Developed and taught first musical theatre curriculum.
Education
Duquesne University-Bachelor of Science Music Education 1970
Duquesne university-Master of Music Education 1975
University of Pittsburgh-Ph.D. Theatre Arts 1979
References upon request
His dedication to the arts and to education continues to transform the local musical
theater scene. Disciplined training leading to immediate testing on the public stage
forms the foundation of his artistic philosophy. The outcome of this artistic vision can be
seen across the nation in the Broadway, Touring, TV, Film, Publishing and
Entrepreneurial work of those whose educational pursuits and performing careers
intersected with Dr. Gargaro’s career as a producer, director and educator.
He is the Founder of Pittsburgh Musical Theater and led the company for 25 years
before retiring. He continues to support the vision of PMT as an Emeritus board
member. As well, he is a Professor Emeritus of English at Robert Morris University and
a former board member for the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Recently his broad experience as an entrepreneur and educator have led to
consultancies with Lincoln Park, Pa Cyber and the Community College of Beaver
County.
Profile
Dr. Gargaro’s career in the performing arts in Western Pennsylvania spans five
decades. His dedication to the arts and to education continues to transform the local
educational and performing arts scene. Disciplined training leading to immediate testing
on the public stage forms the foundation of his artistic philosophy. The outcome of this
artistic vision can be seen across the nation in the Broadway, Touring, TV, Film,
Publishing and Entrepreneurial work of those whose educational pursuits and
performing careers intersected with Dr. Gargaro’s career as a producer, director and
educator.
Experience
FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PITTSBURGH MUSICAL
THEATER — 1990-2015 (RETIRED)
Producer, Director, CEO of mid sized 501c3 performing arts organization.
FOUNDER AND DEAN, RICHARD E. RAUH CONSERVATORY — 1995-2015
(RETIRED)
Founder, curriculum writer, teacher and administrator. Founded as the educational arm
of Pittsburgh Musical Theater.
PROFESSOR OF COMMUNICATION AND ENGLISH, ROBERT MORRIS
UNIVERSITY — 2003-2018 (RETIRED AUGUST 31, 2018)
Coordinator of theatre program, developer of theatre concentration, producer/director of
four show series, founder of choral program and teacher of theater, humanities and
music.
ARTISTIC CONSULTANT, LINCOLN PARK PERFORMING ARTS AND CHARTER
SCHOOL — 2015-2017
Led the executive reorganization of the Arts Center. Developed a strategic plan to
emphasize the synergies between the Arts Center and the related Performing Arts
Charter School.
STRATEGIC VISION CONSULTANT, PA CYBER AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF
BEAVER COUNTY — 2016-2017
Led visioning, mission and strategic planning process.
PRODUCER AND TEACHER, POINT PARK UNIVERSITY — 1982-1993
Producer, director, musical director for the professional company at the Pittsburgh
Playhouse. Developed and taught first musical theatre curriculum.
Education
Duquesne University-Bachelor of Science Music Education 1970
Duquesne university-Master of Music Education 1975
University of Pittsburgh-Ph.D. Theatre Arts 1979
References upon request