“a multimedia troupe of infinite jest with an imagination to match" - The New York Times

Squonk creates bold, music-driven, large-scale spectacles in public spaces—where audiences don’t just watch, they jump in and become part of the show. Always free. Open to all.

More than 30 years ago, our first show unfolded in a junkyard, with dancing cranes and roaring bulldozers. That spirit still defines us. We transform unconventional spaces—plazas, parks, industrial sites, and downtown streets—into stages for collective wonder. Since then, we’ve shared original work with over a million people across Asia, Europe, Canada, and 37 U.S. states, as well as at venues like Lincoln Center and on Broadway.

We believe art should belong to everyone—unlocked from ticket prices, velvet ropes, and cultural gatekeeping. At a time of digital saturation and social fragmentation, our work offers something increasingly rare: shared, in-person experiences where people gather, participate, and create joy together.

By working outdoors and eliminating barriers to entry, we meet communities where they already are. Our ensemble of Pittsburgh-based artists, musicians, designers, and technicians collaborates to build each production from the ground up—ensuring that every performance is not just presented to the public but made with them.

Through Squonk in the Neighborhood, we partner with libraries, community centers, and local organizations to offer free, hands-on workshops and interactive experiences across our hometown of Pittsburgh—prioritizing communities with the greatest need. These programs invite kids, families, and neighbors to create, experiment, and experience the joy of making together.

Squonk: Built to delight. Set in motion by you!

Discover more about Squonk at https://squonk.org/ and our newest production, Joy Machine, at https://squonk.org/joy-machine

Squonk Opera, Inc.