Personalities of Pittsburgh:
Carolina Pais-Barreto Thor
By Jordyn Hronec – Associate Editor, Pittsburgh Business Times
Mar 4, 2023
An immigrant from Brazil who first came to Pittsburgh for graduate school, Carolina Pais-
Barreto Thor has cemented herself as a well-known and regarded leader in the region’s
nonprofit space. After working in economic development in the Hill District and Uptown, Thor
worked as a nonprofit consultant, and in 2017 she was tapped to serve as the CEO of what was
then known as the Tull Family Theater, a nonprofit, independent cinema in Sewickley that was
funded by some of the biggest foundations in Pittsburgh. At the start of 2023, after the Tull
Family Foundation’s naming rights expired, the theater began operating under a new name —
The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center — to reflect its new naming sponsor, The Corry
Family Foundation. And with the new name, the theater is undergoing significant rebranding,
looking to increase its efforts in accessibility and offering a space not only for cinema, but also
for live performances and cultural events.
Can you tell me the story of how you found your way to Pittsburgh?
I was born in Recife, Brazil, and came to Pittsburgh in 2003 searching for graduate schools. Like
many non-native Pittsburghers, I fell unabashedly in love while entering the city through the
Fort Pitt Tunnel. I was fortunate to secure a job at Duquesne University, where I earned two
master’s degrees and benefitted from the generosity and mentorship of my colleagues. Shortly
after graduate school, I met my husband. While the rest of my family remains in Brazil, now I’ve
spent most of my life in Pittsburgh, and it is home.
What inspired you to pursue a career in nonprofit work?
Because of Duquesne’s location in Uptown, I became involved in the university’s collaborations
in the Hill District, which ultimately led me to full-time economic development efforts in
Uptown and the Hill. I was working for an organization that no longer exists called Urban
Innovation21. I met many nonprofit leaders and expanded my network in this sector. I learned
how critical adept administration is to achieving nonprofit missions and decided to channel my
skills in this direction.
How did you end up getting involved with the launch of The Lindsay,
formerly The Tull Family Theater, and why?
I met the group of community leaders who first envisioned this cultural nonprofit and needed no
convincing to sign on to its mission, joining the initiative a few months before the building
construction began. Having lived in Sewickley as a young professional, I experienced the area
differently from what others might imagine. My neighbors were senior citizens on fixed
incomes, single mothers, people aspiring for jobs in the large airport area companies —
demographics often lost in the oversimplified generalization of the suburbs. This personal
experience led to the conviction that this nonprofit cultural organization would create unique
opportunities for many to engage in a cultural life.
How do independent, nonprofit cinemas benefit the local community?
The Lindsay’s mission is to expand cultural, educational and entertainment experiences
northwest of Pittsburgh. Our Sewickley location at the edges of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and
Washington counties is accessible for those living outside the city who may deal with
transportation challenges and isolation caused by economic and geographic limitations. The
ongoing generosity of many in the area has enabled us to keep ticket prices the same as when we
opened in 2017 — $8.75 pricing daily for senior citizens, college students, military and children;
$11 general admission — and we regularly offer free events and activities. The Lindsay partners
with more than 200 nonprofits and 20 surrounding school districts, delivering programming
that is wanted, needed and meaningful to our diverse communities. In addition to its core
cinematic programming, The Lindsay brings live theater, music, dance, exhibits, speakers and
other experiences much closer to people in suburban and rural areas. Some benefit from the
convenience, others from the accessibility.
When the theater was looking for a new naming rights sponsor, how did The Corry
Family Foundation get involved?
They were patrons of the theater, and they enjoyed the theater and its activities as a family. So
when they read in the news that we were searching for a new name, they reached out and
thought it would be a fitting tribute to their late daughter, with whom they had spent great time
at the theater. It’s a beautiful story.
As The Lindsay enters a new era this year, what, aside from the name and
branding, are you looking to change?
Our flagship educational program, Cinema Maker Sessions (CiMS), is a career-awareness
initiative for underserved, suburban middle schoolers. Using film production as an attractive
platform, we introduce youth to careers in technology. This is a much-needed program serving
Black and Hispanic children from airport-area communities. In 2023, we’ll resume programs
designed for senior citizens, an often overlooked demographic in terms of cultural, social and
educational opportunities tailored especially to them. Our emerging artist program focuses on
filmmakers whose backgrounds are underrepresented in the film industry. We lend our state-of-
the art screens and equipment, plus technical and promotional assistance, to showcase their
work. Due to demand, we are expanding this program in 2023. We’ll continue weekly open
captioning, sensory-friendly screenings and events. New partnerships are enabling program
growth, including autism-friendly open mics and concerts.
Do you have a favorite film?
“Cinema Paradiso” because I watched it with my parents and sister as a young teen. The film led
me to grasp, maybe for the first time, that life goes by fast, and that there’s only a short time to
live and give with verve.
ABOUT CAROLINA PAIS-BARRETO THOR:
Title: CEO, The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center
Age: 44
Education: Bachelor’s, English education, Harding University; master’s in business
administration and master’s in corporate communications, Duquesne University
First job: Youth camp counselor and Sonic carhop (on foot, as I can’t skate)
Residence: Fox Chapel
Family: Husband, David, and two dogs, Carlos and Luísa
Hobbies: Listening to audiobooks, training the dogs, skiing
Causes: Vice chair on the board of Neighborhood Allies
Carolina Pais-Barreto Thor is guiding The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center into a new era.
