off the WALL productions at Carnegie Stage A Pittsburgh Theater

Perspectives (as), the current production from fireWALL Dance Theater, is a series of intertwined solos from dancers Carlotta Storelli and Elisa-Marie Alaio that crosses borders and erases boundaries when it culminates in a thrilling joint performance. fireWALL dance theater - Carlotta Storelli The show adventurously explores the question of how we perceive our world, how we see ourselves, and how we create perspectives in others. The struggle to understand and be understood is a major theme of the production: how do we communicate with ourselves and with one another? How do we take what’s inside of us and bring it forth? When is it ever safe to take off the masks we wear in public and reveal our true nature, stark and naked, to the world? Storelli (a Swiss native, trained in Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain) and Alaio (originally from New York City) present a moving drama that compels us to challenge our ordinary perspective and move into an expanded view of what’s possibl...

fireWALL dance theater Elisa-Marie Alaio Perspectives (as) is a delicate and fierce adventure into what happens when the artificial meets the natural. Intimate moments and self-awareness become public and a question arises: how does our private persona meet the public world? Can the two ever truly meet? Is it possible to reveal our self to others without sacrificing our essential originality? Perspectives (as) is fireWALL Dance Theater’s new show featuring dancers Carlotta Storelli of Madrid, Spain and Elisa-Marie Alaio of Pittsburgh. Elisa’s movements were choreographed by Jenna Rae Smith of fireWALL Dance Theater, while Carlotta choreographed her own dance movements. The profound struggle for connection and communication is a major theme in Perspectives (as). The production is a riveting exploration brought alive by original music from Ryan McMasters and Jan Hugo Sabaaye. The piece arose as part of an ongoing conversation between Storelli and Alaio – a conversation that they ...

Elisa-Marie Alaio The two dancers who created and are performing fireWALL Dance Theater’s upcoming production, Perspectives (as), come from two different worlds. Carlotta Storelli, who now resides in Madrid, Spain, was raised in Switzerland, speaking Italian. Elisa-Marie Alaio, a New York City Native, grew up surrounded by English but also picked up Italian from her family. Thus the two dancers are able to speak to each other in Italian, and through the universal language of movement and dance. Perspectives (as) is a raw, authentic, powerful and moving exploration of alienation and connection. Pittsburgh Theater, fireWALL Dance Theater, Perspectives (as) Carlotta Storelli of Madrid, Spain It’s contemporary dance theater at the cutting-edge of sophistication and depth. It raises important questions: from what perspective do we imagine our lives and the lives of other people? How do we negotiate the resonance and tension that arises between our own perspective and that of ...

n this second part of our blog on the set of Ghosts,designed by Rich Preffer, we take a look at what local theater critics around Pittsburgh had to say about the set itself.  If you missed Part 1, a Set in the Making, click here to learn the story behind the building of this astonishing set. So let’s get right to it!  Dave Zuchowski hit the nail on the head in his review when he stated that the set is an abstract, claustrophobic representation of the emotional constraints. The remarkable set by scenic designer, Rich Preffer is both a realistic depiction of a Scandinavian parlor at the end of the 19th century and an abstract, claustrophobic representation of the emotional constraints suggested by Iben’s theme. He manages this by enclosing the set in a cage-like devise suspended over the top of the stage that’s a contrast to the lofty mountainous landscape seen out the parlor window and continuing on both sides of the set. Dave Zuchowski of Pittsburgh Owl Scribe, review Pi...

In this two-part blog, I’m going to focus not on the play itself, but on the set. Why? Because quite simply the set is astonishing! If you’ve been keeping up with our blogs, you already know that our current production Ghosts is set in the early 1880’s, that it was written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Isben and that though it is a revered classic today, it was considered absolutely scandalous in its time. The exposed secrets and immoralities conflicted with society’s moral taboos. If you’d like to learn more about the history of the play, the storyline, the characters or director, please peruse our recent posts. Scenic Design: Rich Preffer In the meantime, let’s take a look at the set. The set design, by Rich Preffer, captures the essence of the play. The mood. The character. The unsaid meanings and implications. The set itself includes a cage like structure, including a canopy structure, which encompasses the entire set. Looking at the set, you at once feel both the sense of h...

Opening night of the premiere showing of an original adaptation of GHOSTS occurred this past Friday at off the WALL Theater.  The reviews are just starting to come in, and having tried something a bit different for our theater (an adaptation of a classic, adapted by our very own Virginia Wall Gruenert), we couldn’t be more pleased! REVIEW OF GHOSTS BY DAVE ZUCHOWSKI OF PITTSBURGH OWL SCRIBE Ken Bolden  “I found the entire drama fascinating and sat riveted in my seat.” “The production is hugely sustained by its talented cast.” “How exhilarating… to encounter a breath of fresh air with the staging now taking place at Off the Wall.” “For a theater company that insists on bringing daring new works to its stage, Off the Wall did a superb job on its original treatment of a revered classic.” Read the full review by Dave Zuchowski of Pittsburgh Owl Scribe for a detailed narrative of the characters, play, genre and set. REVIEW OF GHOSTS BY MIKE ‘BUZZ’ BUZZELLI OF ‘BURGH V...

Once again, the creative experts at off the WALL Theater deliver a thought-provoking, once in a lifetime story in the form of Ghosts. Sarah Silk -Virginia Wall Gruenert - Shaun Hall Photo by Heather Mull According to Artistic Director, Virginia Wall Gruenert, Ghosts delivers a challenging and sometimes painful theme of the damage done by secrets of infidelity, incest, seedy family stories and more. Ghosts was purposely selected as the first ever classic to be presented on the stage of off the WALL Theater. At the time of its 19th century roots, Ghosts was a dramatic and groundbreaking play that insulted society by exposing the unspoken deeds of darkness, an approach embraced by off the WALL‘s founder and creative leadership. The play also presents one of the greatest female characters of all time, also in keeping with off the WALL‘s focus on bringing women actors to the forefront of today’s stage. Director Simm Landres carries his film experience to the stage. (Simm had rol...