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New comedy arts space opening in Stanton Heights

PITTSBURGH — A former church in Stanton Heights is the future home of the Steel City Arts Foundation, a place where comedians will be able to live, create content and entertain.

Steve Hofstetter, a comedian currently in Los Angeles, is bringing this to Pittsburgh.

“I find Pittsburgh to be a lot like the average standup comic: gritty, has heart and is constantly underestimated,” Hofstetter said.

Hofstetter doesn’t have any ties to the city, but found the building first. Then he did some research and discovered Pittsburgh is only a short drive away from 18 other comedy markets.

Hofstetter says if people call him crazy for doing this during a pandemic, “they wouldn’t be entirely wrong, but my bet is that by the time we’re ready to open, the pandemic will be in our rearview mirror or at least be close (to easing) and we won’t open until ... it’s safe to do shows again, we’re going to be ready.”

He also wants to rent out the space for weddings.

And besides comedy shows Hofstetter envisions organizing different events such as yoga classes and community charity events.