off the WALL productions at Carnegie Stage A Pittsburgh Theater

What some may consider a risky move, others state is long overdue. Theater and artistic theatrical performances have long been considered a medium for engaging the community in social discourse, but even so, some may feel the upcoming production of KIMONO at CARNEGIE STAGE pushes the envelope. Mark C. Thompson - Kimono It’s important to ask ourselves why this is the case. In what some consider to be an ‘almost anything goes’ society, why is speaking out on behalf of victims potentially seen as pushing the envelope? Why? KIMONO, developed and choreographed by Mark C. Thompson of Pittsburgh, calls out predators for what they are. As noted on the playbill, “ Kimono deals with the subject of predation and victimization in a form that resembles a parable. It aspires to recount a horrible story in an eerily beautiful way, juxtaposing scenes of ugliness with very beautiful ones. ” We think Pittsburgh is ready for this type of social justice. It is our hope that through the bravenes

Are you looking for something both new and exciting in Pittsburgh Theater? Then the upcoming production KIMONO at CARNEGIE STAGE is one that needs to be on your short list of things to do in Pittsburgh this March. Not only is this production something new to Pittsburgh, it truly is new.  It is a new work developed and choreographed by Mark C. Thompson. Produced by fireWALL dance theater, a division of off the WALL productions , producing a new work is something they not only love to do, it’s right in line with their mission – to bring new works and developments to fruition and to support new artists. In this case, it just so happens all of the artists involved are native to and/or living in Pittsburgh. Exciting. Intense. Stimulating. Moving. Stirring. Yes, KIMONO is all of these. This unique production is the result of a particularly gratifying collaboration between all involved. The three artists on stage are just that…artists. Through movement, they convey a story, a story th

Have you ever noticed the variety of designs on kimonos? They’re often very bold and embellished and each kimono seems unique. It’s as if each kimono tells a story. In fact, that’s exactly what they do. A kimono can have many designs, and each design can be significant to the person’s life. Even the color is part of the story. Some kimonos are very complex, reflecting the person’s status, wealth and their tastes. The symbolism on kimonos is as varied as the wearers, and may even allude to virtues or specific emotions that individual associates with. Like a kimono that one wears, the upcoming fireWALL Dance production Kimono also tells a story. But not all kimonos are bright and bold. It depends on the story being told. Mark C. Thompson's new production new work, Kimono , is a dark and disturbing movement in parable form. It tells the story of a man who has been victimized. But it also tells the story of transformation. In Kimono , the traumatized man (an artist), begins to rec

The cultural and entertainment industry is thriving in the Pittsburgh area, and that includes the arts such as theater, dance and cabaret. CARNEGIE STAGE hosts all of these forms of art on our small, intimate stage, as well as sketch comedy performances.  If you enjoy the up-close and personal experience of live theater and haven’t experienced CARNEGIE STAGE, we invite you to join us at one of our upcoming productions .   Our great fortune continues with the renaissance of Carnegie. Sometimes it seems as if new businesses are opening their doors monthly, if not even more frequently. A few of the newest businesses include The Flying Squirrel (ice cream and nostalgia items), Bakn, Ooh La La and Eccentricity Designs. Then there are the businesses that moved in just before Carnegie began gaining so much attention, including Modern Mercantile PGH, More Than Words, and 131 East.  And let’s not forget the businesses whom, no pun intended, weathered storms and floods and have been the bac