off the WALL productions at Carnegie Stage A Pittsburgh Theater

Kim El & Nia Washington - Photo by Heather Mull Join us this weekend for the first in a series of ‘in rep’ plays.  ‘In Rep’ refers to Repertory Theater, where works are presented regularly or in alternate sequence in one season. Straightening Combs , written by local actress-poet-playwright Kim El, will run this weekend, and again in April and August.  We’re excited to revive this type of theater production in Pittsburgh, along with other great cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. Straightening Combs, starring Kim El and Nia Washington, is a heartfelt biographical story about growing up in the Pittsburgh Hill District and the repercussions of low self-esteem and resulting chronic depression. You will live through the challenges faced by many as you journey through the experience of coming to age in the Pittsburgh Hill District through the eyes of a young African-American female.    "...Kim El’s new work is a tour de force." City Paper

Kim El - Photo by Heather Mull What could Barbie possibly have to do with coming to age in urban American places such as the Pittsburgh Hill District? Join us this weekend for our version of Straightening Combs to find out! In this powerful autobiography by Kim El , you’ll be led on a journey of what it’s like to grow up thinking beauty is not yours to behold.  You’ll also grasp how difficult it is to break the cycle of a message that has been delivered from one generation to the next… that beauty is tall, thin and with straight blond hair. In our small, intimate theater, where you can look in the eyes of the actors, you’ll feel the impact that such messages have on a young girl’s self-esteem and the damaging effect on into adulthood. However, in the end, you’ll leave feeling more alive and empowered, as this play explores the true meaning of beauty, and the freedom that it asserts. Join us January 31st or February 1st or 2nd. Click here to learn more or to purchase tickets

Straightening Combs takes you along on a journey of growing up in the Hill District through the eyes of a young, African American female. It is written by and based on the life of Kim El.  It is a powerful story about beauty and self-image. The message to all is very simple, yet simultaneously complicated:   Beauty is not only on the outside, true beauty is also on the inside.   Kim El and Nia Washington - Photo by Heather Mull But what happens when young girls are told that their features aren’t beautiful?  What happens when mothers try to change the appearance of their daughters because that’s what their mothers did… because that’s what their mothers did?  What happens when a young girl hears that everyone in her neighborhood is ‘bad’?   What happens when one’s self-esteem is shattered from every angle?   The beauty is still there.  If anything, there is more beauty.  One only needs to realize and accept this beauty. This is a message and story many young gi

Nia Washington and Kim El - Photo by Heather Mull Growing up in the Pittsburgh Hill District brings about certain challenges for young girls coming of age.  In this scene, a young Kim, played by Nia Washington, wants to be just like the woman on the street.  At only twelve years old, she thinks the woman is beautiful.  Young Kim receives a lesson on what true beauty is and is sent on her way. In Straightening Combs , Pittsburgh playwright/poet/actor/director Kim El shares her personal journey of growing up in the Hill District.  Kim and Nia play several different personas to share the intimacies and challenges of life in the projects through the eyes of an African American female. You will be uplifted by the true beauty of the women of the Hill District.  Come join us January 31st or February 1st or 2nd. Click here to learn more or to purchase tickets. Come early and enjoy a coffee from The Carnegie Coffee Company before the show.   Off The Wall Theater - a small, intimate

Kim El - Photo by Heather Mull Straightening Combs , by Kim El , is a powerful and liberating play, no matter what your background! A native of Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Kim shares her own experience of growing up as an African American female in the projects.  She tells her story beautifully through a variety of styles, ranging from spoken word poetry, songs, and short vignettes. You will be moved as you follow along, starting with the lies pushed upon young African American girls as to what beauty is, the intermediary struggles through adolescence and the resulting chronic depression.  But alas, you also will rejoice in the liberating freedom that only truth can bring in the end! Straightening Combs opens Friday, January 31 and will play through February 2nd.   Click here to learn more or to purchase tickets.   Come early and enjoy a coffee from The Carnegie Coffee Company before the show. Off The Wall Theater is the first Pittsburgh Theate r to run a repertory play

What happens when you take one part edgy, political German style cabaret and mix it with an equal part sensual French style cabaret?   You get a unique Off The Wall Cabaret style! Hurry – there’s only two performances in February, so come join the fun on February 14 or 15!  You’ll be treated to first-rate comedy, spectacular singing, dancers, and to an MC who ties it all together. Click here for tickets or information on our Cabaret Night at Off The Wall! Off the Wall Theater - A Pittsburgh Theater bringing quality performances to a small, unique theater which allows the performers to have a close interaction with the audience.

Kim El Pittsburgh will soon be joining cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in the revival of repertory theater.  A mainstay of such illustrious companies as the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, repertory theater is a type of theatrical presentation in which several works are presented regularly or in alternate sequence in one season. Off The Wall will begin by hosting our version of Kim El’s Straightening Combs as our first play “in rep.”  The show’s first run will be January 31-February 2; subsequent performances are scheduled for April 4-6 and August 8-10. Click here to learn more or to purchase ticke ts. **USA Cities having made a come-back per Wikipedia : 

  “As a woman, you must follow your action and keep moving forward.  It is up to the rest of the world to adjust to us. That is how I see it.”  Virginia Wall Gruenert – Artistic Director of Off The Wall Theater In a recent interview with Laurie Smith of Point Park News Service, Virginia Wall discusses the gender inequalities that exist not only in the world of theater, but also in the world at large.  She makes it a point to note that promoting women does not mean excluding the guys.  In fact, according to Virginia, there is no room for the weak in the theater world— whether you are a man or a woman. Read the full article here . Interested in learning more about gender inequality in the theater industry, read our prior blog Gender Bias in Theater . Our 2013-2014 Playwright Lineup - by and about women: Madeleine George, Lisa Kron, Sarah Treem, and Rinne Groff Off The Wall Theater - a Pittsburgh theater that promotes women. 

Virginia Wall Gruenert and Daina Michelle Griffith in Well - Photo by Heather Mull The 2013 Post-Gazette Awards are in, and our very own Virginia Wall Gruenert has been recognized as a best supporting actress for her role as the chronically ill mother who healed a failing neighborhood, but who could not heal herself in our most recent play, ‘Well’ by Lisa Kron. Click here to read all the awards and recognitions around town for Pittsburgh Theater . About Virginia Wall Gruenert: Virginia was last seen playing Ann in our most recent production of 'Well' here at Off The Wall Theater.  A graduate of Syracuse University, she studied acting, voice, and movement in New York, London, and in L.A. with the legendary Stella Adler.  Favorite roles include Martha in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Dr. Livingston in Agnes of God, Thelma in ‘night, Mother (Off The Wall), various roles in her original play Shaken & Stirred (Off The Wall and Theater 54 in NYC), Aun

Daina Michelle Griffith and Erika Cuenca - Photo by Heather Mull All bragging rights aside, we’re thrilled to let you know that Off The Wall Theater was noted on Michelle Pilecki’s short list of ‘Best Surprises in Pittsburgh Theater’ two times for the year 2013! Daina Michelle Griffith and Erika Cuenca were zeroed in on for their performances in The Zero Hour, which played from October 25 to November 9.  And the No Name Players’ “Viva Los Bastarditos!” production, which played at our theater in July, was noted as “polished nonsense.” A special thanks to all our fans for your continued support of our theater and our mission to bring thought-provoking plays to Pittsburgh theater .  We thank you and ask that you continue to help us reach out by sharing our posts and blogs on our theater and upcoming productions. Click here to read the full article on the ‘Best Surprises in Pittsburgh Theater’.

Daina Michelle Griffith You’ve seen her on our Off The Wall Theater stage no less than three times this past year.  Her varied roles demonstrate her talent, dedication, and versatility!  At our Pittsburgh theater alone, she’s played a butch lesbian, several hallucinated Nazis, the supportive friend of a sister with cancer, and the self-absorbed daughter of a chronically ill woman. So who is the 2013 Post-Gazette Performer of the Year?  Congratulations go to Daina Michelle Griffith !   Read more about Daina Michelle’s accomplishments. “She [Daina Michelle Griffith] is an actress for all theaters and whatever roles, tragic or comic, dramatic or musical, as are available to a young leading woman.”  Christopher Rawson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette