PUSH Physical Theatre

PUSH Physical Theatre has been called "a cross between fine art sculpture and the hit movie, The Matrix," but its co-founders currently (and with tongue firmly in cheek) characterize it as: "like regular theatre...but more painful."

Founded in Rochester, NY in 2000 by husband-and-wife team, Darren and Heather Stevenson, PUSH represents the couple's desire to "push" the boundaries of conventional theatre. Its physical feats can be awe inspiring (hence the "painful" attribute), but the cherry on top of this acrobatic sundae is PUSH's ability to grab hold of audiences' emotions through exceptional storytelling.

In addition to a busy school-performance and residency schedule, as well as event and concert appearances, the company has toured the U.S., England and Mexico, and has been profiled on PBS and NPR. They received the Anton Germano Dance Award in 2009 from the "Community of Color" Black History Month World Culture Celebration, and the 2009 Performing Artist of the Year Award from the Arts & Cultural Council of Greater Rochester.

"PUSH's work exhibits a depth of understanding and innovative physical vocabulary for the universals in human life. The group loosely defines "physical theater" as not just movement, but the purpose and emotion behind the motions made visible." -- Rebecca Rafferty City Newspaper

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