Sierra Madre Playhouse Presents World Premiere of New Dance Work by Steven Atwater & Thomas Ford

Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse

Los Angeles-based interdisciplinary dance artists Steven Atwater and Thomas Ford, hailed for their innovative integration of sound, embodiment, and technology, present the world premiere of their new thought-provoking evening-length work “In Search of an Exit,” which addresses otherness and belonging, in back-to-back performances on Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18, 2025, 7:30 pm, at Sierra Madre Playhouse. Through a compelling blend of movement and sound, “In Search of an Exit” reflects their shared commitment to dramatizing marginalized experiences and amplifying voices at the periphery. It offers a raw, immersive exploration of identity and community.  

Atwater and Ford use original sound scores, technology spanning mediated forms, and emergent movement vocabularies inspired by historically ostracized bodies and sci-fi folklore to build worlds in which the social, cultural and political entangle with the aesthetics of their collective histories. They have presented their work at such prestigious venues as the Joyce Theater and the Kennedy Center.  

Atwater’s choreographic work has been presented by Next@Graham (a Martha Graham Dance Company choreography series), Capezio A.C.E. Awards, Peridance APEX Showcase, and STEPS NYC Performance Lab. He is the founding director of companyONE, a pre-professional training program whose students have been accepted to BFA/dance programs at Ailey/Fordham, SUNY Purchase, Marymount Manhattan College and PACE University, and summer programs at The Rock School and American Ballet Theatre, among others. 

Ford, an Assistant Professor of Practice on the faculty of USC Kaufman, has established a versatile career as a writer, performer, educator, and curator. His choreographic work has appeared at the Joyce Theater, Symphony Space, Ailey Citigroup Theater, and the Kaye Playhouse, among others. He has taught at some of the dance field’s most prestigious institutions, including the Joffrey Ballet School (NY), Marymount Manhattan College, and Hunter College/CUNY. 

For tickets ($12-$35) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.

Date:
Venue:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Organization:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Genres:
Dance
Categories:
Live Event
City: Sierra Madre
Price Range:
$12-$35
Email:
info@sierramadreplayhouse.org
Phone:
(626) 355-4318
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Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse

87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
United States

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Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California cultural hub with a rich history spanning a century, energizes audiences and the community with distinctive theatrical productions and captivating live performances. 

 

Hailed as a “jewel” (Pasadena Weekly) and “a landmark theater” (ABC7 Los Angeles), it has garnered tremendous accolades for its varied repertoire and thought-provoking education and outreach programs curated with social impact in mind. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, “This is theater from the heart.” As one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts center presenting a broad spectrum of performance genres, including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-friendly productions featuring eminent local and national professional artists, the treasured artistic beacon draws audiences from across the Southland. 

 

The intimate 99-seat Sierra Madre Playhouse offers an up-close and personal connection to performances that resonate deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP Awards, and LA Times Critics' Choice honors. In 2023, Rep. Judy Chu named the Sierra Madre Playhouse as a leading ‘Nonprofit of the Year’ in the San Gabriel Valley. The playhouse was given the honor during the 2023 Congressional Leadership of the Year Awards, which recognizes the leadership and volunteerism in the cities making up California’s 28th Congressional District. It is nestled into a historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra Madre, a charming village in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. 

 

Retaining its distinctive movie theater façade and instantly recognizable marquee, the structure has undergone numerous transformations since opening in 1910, from furniture emporium to silent movie theatre to the artistic institution that now stands as a vibrant embodiment of the region’s rich cultural legacy. The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires to bridge divides and spark dialogue, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring pursuit of shared understanding.