Pittsburgh native and Gene Kelly Award winner Jacob Ming-Trent is coming home with a story that is as personal as it is powerful.
Following a successful run at Folger Theatre in Washington, D.C., and an engagement at New York’s Public Theater, Ming-Trent brings How Shakespeare Saved My Life to Pittsburgh audiences.
The production takes an unexpected look at the influence of Shakespeare through the lens of Ming-Trent’s own life. Blending classical literature with hip-hop, poetry, music and personal storytelling, the play explores how language became an unexpected lifeline—helping him navigate a difficult childhood and discover a path toward purpose and self-understanding.
Hilarious, heartbreaking and inspiring, the theatrical experience celebrates resilience, redemption and the transformative power of art.
For Ming-Trent, this homecoming brings a deeply personal story back to the city where his journey began. For audiences, it offers a reminder that sometimes the right words, a powerful story or an unexpected connection can change the direction of a life.
SEE IT IN PITTSBURGH
Pay-What-You-Can Preview
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Audiences can attend the preview by choosing their own ticket price, starting at just $5.
Ticket Information
Regular tickets start at $30, all-inclusive.
$25 rush tickets are available using code HOTTIX, beginning at 10 a.m. on each performance day.
Purchase tickets online, call 412-456-6666 or visit the Theater Square Box Office.
Recommended for ages 13 and up. The production includes mature language, adult situations and conversations.
How Shakespeare Saved My Life is a world-premiere production developed through the collaboration of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Folger Theatre and Red Bull Theater.
A Pittsburgh story. A powerful performance. And a reminder of what can happen when the arts open a door to possibility.