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Pittsburgh, PA

Attack Theatre Brings Antonio Brown As A Plus One To Their Home Season Opener In Lawrenceville

by Christi Welter
September 16, 2021
Pittsburgh, PA
PITTSBURGH, PA—Expanding on a robust history of creative partnerships, Attack Theatre’s newest project is created in collaboration with Cleveland-born and New York City-based choreographer, Antonio Brown. The piece, Plus One, is slated to premiere September 24 – October 3, 2021 to both online and live audiences in their new Lawrenceville headquarters.

Attack Theatre Studios will be the backyard as dancers and audiences safely gather for this drama infused social event choreographed by Antonio Brown (Antonio Brown Dance and long-time Bill T. Jones collaborator) with Attack Theatre. But what’s a party without any food? You’re left with music and dance to find your way and make connections. This debut work is an exploration of otherness and belonging, where the plus one is all of us.

Choreographer Antonio Brown explains his thought process, “I’ve been thinking and building this idea for a few years now. I’m exploring the social public and the social interpersonal that happens at these large family gatherings. There are so many little dramas happening all at the same time and I’m fascinated to thread them into this show.”

Conceived and created in New York City, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh, Plus One is a party full of unique identities: a coming out, a coming together, and a coming home. In this work the audience encounters an intimate look at the memories of past gatherings and witnesses the forming of fresh relationships. Featured performers include Antonio Brown, Stephen Galberth, Christiana Hunte, Miranda Nichols, Tashae Udo, and Sarah Zielinski.

It’s both incredibly uncomfortable and oddly exhilarating to be the stranger in a room full of friends. And after months of isolation and social distance, introductions are in order even for the most familiar of faces. This is Attack Theatre’s 27th year, but it’s their first at the corner of 45th and Butler Streets in the heart of Lawrenceville. Co-Artistic Directors, Michele de la Reza and Peter Kope, are excited to be opening their doors to audiences.

“The company has been searching for a place to call home for a long time now,” says de la Reza.

Kope adds, “where can we find a place to explore and investigate the way we interact with and embrace community together under one roof. We found it here on 45th Street in Lawrenceville. We now have a place where we can make, share, dream, and learn together.”

De la Reza continues, “this is the first large event in our new home and we are offering a program that spotlights our long-held commitment to collaboration. We envision this new space as a creative hub and incubator for a greater community of artists, voices, and perspectives. Since 2017, we’ve been in dialogue with Antonio on different projects and ideas. Last May, he and his company were in town and used the studio for a week of creation and rehearsals. We are so thrilled that Antonio and the dancers will play an integral part in the beginning of this new journey.”

It’s time to cut the ribbon and maybe break a glass, or two! Purchase a ticket to see Plus One in-person or tune in to a livestream, and help Attack Theatre season their new home.

Plus One Premiere
All shows at 7:30PM EST


- Friday, September 24
- Saturday, September 25
- Sunday, September 26 (pay what moves you)
- Wednesday, September 29*
- Thursday, September 30*
- Friday, October 1
- Saturday, October 2
- Sunday, October 3*

*Livestream Available Tickets: $15-$35
www.attacktheatre.com/plusone

COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Proof of vaccination is required for entry to all events at Attack Theatre Studios. Children under 12 and guests who need reasonable accommodations due to a medical exception or a sincerely held religious belief must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours. Masks are required for everyone at indoor events regardless of vaccination status. All performances have limited seating capacity and are physically distanced. It may be different, but we’re all here to move and be moved.

###

About Attack Theatre

Founded in 1994, the Pittsburgh-based dance company, Attack Theatre, creates work at the intersection of art and community, resulting in programs that are personal, authentic, welcoming, and fearless. With a core belief that movement is an essential part of living and learning, Attack Theatre conducts arts education programs in school and community settings throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. Under the artistic direction of Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors, Peter Kope and Michele de la Reza, the company builds community with artists and audiences through the production of dance-based performance, creative learning programs, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Through deliberately interconnected programs, Attack Theatre seeks to demystify the artistic process, fostering a philosophy of social engagement designed to nurture creativity and connect communities. www.attacktheatre.com

About Antonio Brown

Antonio Brown is the artistic force behind Antonio Brown Dance, a native Cleveland, Ohio, where he began his dance training at the Cleveland School of the Arts and received his BFA from The Juilliard School. While there, he had the opportunity to perform works by Jose Limon, Ohad Naharin, Jiri Kylian, Eliot Feld, Aszure Barton, Jessica Lang, Susan Marshall, Larry Keigwin, among others. Mr. Brown has also worked with many companies and artists throughout New York City including Camille A. Brown & Dancers, Malcolm Low/Formal Structure and Sidra Bell Dance New York, among others. After performing with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company for 11 years, Antonio continues to grace the stage with his company and The DASH Ensemble. Mr. Brown has choreographed works for Groundworks DanceTheater, Verb Ballets, The Juilliard Dance Ensemble, MOVE(NYC), August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble, Tri-C Dance Academy, Jacksonville University, Cleveland State University, Hunter College, Cleveland School of the Arts, Stivers School for the Arts, Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp, Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange “LVDE”, Theatre Askew, The Arden Theater Company’s production of “The Bluest Eye”, Drama League DirectorFest, Earl Mosley’s Dancing Beyond and Associate Choreographer for upcoming Broadway musical “Black No More”. Antonio teaches regularly in New York City and is currently co-director of Tri-C Creative Arts Dance Academy, movement director for The Public Theater’s Shakespeare Initiative and faculty at Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University and Cleveland State University. Mr. Brown is grateful to be sharing his gifts and talents around the world. www.antoniobrowndance.com
Antonio Brown Dance

Antonio Brown Dance

Photo © & courtesy of Kuo-Heng Huang

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