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 stor...

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...

fireWALL dance theater fireWALL dance theater is taking our stage by storm with their current production of Admission! Admission is the story of six women as they work through their self-doubts, fears and worries on their journey to self-acceptance and female empowerment. Steve Sucato, of the Pittsburgh City Paper, published his review earlier today. You can read his full review here, but we thought we’d share a bit of what he had to say. To start, we’ve displayed a mix of words from his review that we always like to hear, followed by the selected highlights from the Sucato’s review. ENERGETIC     STRONG     FULL OF POWER     EXHILARATING     VISUAL METAPHORS     BOLD CHOREOGRAPHY     DRAMA     WHIRLWIND SOLOS     WONDERFUL     FABULOUS   “ADMISSION’S REAL STRENGTH CAME IN AN ONSLAUGHT OF FULL-THROTTLE, ENERGETIC AND ATHLETIC DANCE SEQUENCES” DANCERS IN SILHOUETTE BEHIND A R...

fireWALL dance theater FIREWALL DANCE THEATER PRESENTS ADMISSION A WORLD PREMIERE REMAINING PERFORMANCES: JUNE 4-6 @ 8:00 PM Choreography by Elisa-Marie Alaio Original Music by: Ryan McMasters our fireWALL dancers: Elisa-Marie Alaio, Glenna Clark, Grace Cohen, Sara Cohen, Cammi Nevarez, Jenna Rae Smith Have you recently had one of those days where you just want to scream? As hard as you try to work around problems, your hands are tied and you just can’t do what you to do. No matter what you do, you run into a brick wall. Sometimes it may even feel a bit hopeless. It’s not fun feeling stifled, whether from your own perceptions or from boundaries placed by others. Often, various segments of society have barriers placed upon them. Invisible as they are, these cultural barriers are stronger than steel. This has been, and continues to be, in varying degrees, the case for women. Imagine how you feel when you just want people to hear you, to acknowledge you, to understa...

Admission, currently on stage, is fireWALL dance theater’ fireWALL dance theater s powerful expression of empowerment through movement… and music. It’s natural to focus on the dance performance, awed by both the athleticism and the gracefulness of the dancers; moved by the power of the story. But what would happen if you watched the performance in a vacuum of space, where no sound can travel? Would you still ‘feel’ the performance, or would it lose something? Chances are you would still appreciate the skill of the dancers, but that much would be lost in ‘feeling’ the power of the story. Why is this? This is because the dance movements and the musical score are married into one, inseparable performance. The music not only supports the story, the music is an integral part of the story. We took some time and talked with the mastermind behind the original musical score for Admission, Ryan McMasters. Ryan is our Resident Music Director and Sound Designer. Ryan is a true musical genius...

What does it mean to be a woman? Is it all about being sexy? Is it about being intelligent? Is it about fireWALL dance being sensual? Maybe it’s none of these, yet all of these. Admission, written and choreographed by Elisa-Marie Alaio, explores the art of being a woman. That’s right, the ‘art’ of being a woman. What does female empowerment mean? How is it achieved? At times, women may seem to be bent on comparing themselves with other women, and perhaps even at odds with one another. So how can women simultaneously lift each other up, even through the hardest of times? How can a woman be true to herself, yet be a part of a larger sisterhood? How can admitting individual weaknesses lead to a stronger bond with other women? How? This is part of the mysteriousness of women, the art of creating a bond through all the differences and challenges in life. It is also a force behind female empowerment. Admission is the creative, energetic exploration of this empowerment as presented by th...

Be sure to catch the world premiere of the newest production at our theater. Admission , it’s is all about the sisterhood! Every woman is unique, but every woman is part of something larger – the sisterhood. Through creative choreographing and movement, Elisa-Marie Alaio and the fireWALL dancers emote the power to behold when women come together and support each other; the power of literally lifting each other up. Then, and only then, can women truly meet their full potential.  These creative work of art is sure to resonate with you. “SISTERHOOD” Grace & Sara Cohen There is space within sisterhood for likeness and difference, for the subtle differences that challenge and delight… Christine Downing Fun Tidbit: Within this sisterhood is a real ‘sister act’ – Grace and Sara Cohen are visiting artists from New York. Be sure to visit their profiles along those of all our dancers below. We are thrilled to have Grace & Sara join us for the world premiere of this dan...

A World Premiere May 29 – 30 @ 8:00 pm, May 31 @ 3:00 pm, June 4 – 6 @ 8:00 pm The dynamic fireWALL dance theater returns with Admission, a celebration of female empowerment. In a world full of all-boys’ clubs, glass ceilings, and disproportionate salaries, six women embark on separate journeys to overcome their obstacles, and ultimately discover that there is strength to be had in the sisterhood. our fireWALL dancers: Elisa-Marie Alaio Glenna Clark Grace Cohen Sara Cohen Cammi Nevarez Jenna Rae Smith Choreography by Elisa-Marie Alaio Original music by Ryan McMasters

Admission (\əd-ˈmi-shən, ad-\) – the act of admitting or allowing something; a statement or action by which someone admits a weakness or fault; the right or permission to enter a place. This is the Merriam-Webster definition of admission. Elisa-Marie Alaio’s newest dance show Admission portrays these meanings, and so much more. fireWALL dance theater - Photo by Grace Cohen Admission is an energetic dance production that explores the various facets of womanhood. Interpreting aspects ranging from the mysteriousness to the emotional to the chaotic ‘order’ that at times permeates our lives, along with the need to both challenge and support one another, Elisa-Marie brings a depth of thoughtful representation to the myriads of women. Only when we admit our flaws and weaknesses to ourselves, are we truly able to accept the helping hand of others, to allow others to support us through our ups and downs. Through dance, Admission demonstrates the intense power of lifting each other up. A...

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...

Come spend part of your Valentine’s Day weekend with us and enjoy the kick-off of our new Off the Wall Cabaret series . Whether you’re in a relatively new relationship, a tried and true relationship, or looking to enjoy an evening out with a friend or two or with a group of your friends, we've got the show for you! Friday, February 14th is the opening night for our very first Cabaret show!  You’ll be amazed at the talent and will leave yearning for more.  We’ve lined up some of the best local entertainers.  You’ll enjoy first-rate comedy, magic, poetry, spectacular singing, mime and you’ll also get to preview a HOT new dance company, fireWALL Dance Theater.  MC Mr. Brian Edward will tie it all together with his own special blend of entertainment. Our small, intimate theater, where you’re only a few feet from the stage, is the perfect venue to enjoy this fabulous group of entertainers. Off the Wall Cabaret – February 14 at 7:00 & February 15 at 8:00. ...