• Literary Arts Department

  • The Literary Arts Program at Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 is a seven-year, intensive course of study in creative writing. Here at Pittsburgh CAPA, students with a love of writing and a commitment to achievement have opportunities to pursue their passion that are unavailable virtually anyplace else.

    Our young writers explore every literary genre: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and drama. Each year, working with specialists in every genre, they take increasingly advanced courses, as they work to create a broad and sophisticated writing portfolio.

    But Pittsburgh CAPA Literary Artists don’t simply write. They edit; they publish; they perform. They use their writing to connect themselves to the larger world, the world beyond our school’s walls. In their classes and in special collaborative projects literary artists explore mythology, literature, history, and many other art forms. They also connect themselves to one another, forming a community of writers that encourages and sustains their imaginative work.

    Literary Artists have collaborated with Carnegie Mellon University Writers, Chatham University Creative Writers, The Warhol Museum, The Mattress Factory, The Carnegie Museums, New Works Festival, Saltworks Theatre Company, and the City Theatre as well as with the dance, visual arts, instrumental and theatre departments at Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12.

    Pittsburgh CAPA’s Literary Arts program prepares students to achieve in many fields. Alumni of our program have gone on to study writing, anthropology, film, history, education and other disciplines at Carnegie Mellon University, NYU, the University of Michigan, Vassar University, Yale, Trinity College in Dublin, Smith College, Bard College, Temple University, Beloit College, Antioch, Sarah Lawrence, Carlow University, the University of Pittsburgh, and other fine schools.

CAPA Literary Arts Audition Materials

  • HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

    ■ Scholastic Art and Writing Awards ■ City Theater Young Playwrights Festival ■ CAPA/CMU Poetry Project ■ Senior Internships ■ Annual 6-8 One Act Play Festival ■ Annual 9-12 Ten Minute Play Festival ■ Annual Collaborations with The Andy Warhol Museum ■ CMU MLK Day Writing Awards ■ Poetry Out Loud ■ Young Arts

    Our writers are recognized nationally and throughout the region. In 2007, a literary artist was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts by the Department of Education. In 2002, 2010, and 2015 a literary artist was awarded the National Scholastic Gold Portfolio Award in Writing.

  • Students in classroom with laptops

    CONTACT INFORMATION


    Literary Arts Department Chair
    MARA CREGAN 
    Email: mcregan1@pghschools.org
    Office Phone: 412-529-6131


    For questions regarding the application process, please contact the Magnet Office at 412-529-3991 or magnetoffice@pghschools.org 


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