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Sierra Madre Playhouse Hosts Atwater and Ford
Sierra Madre Playhouse Hosts Atwater and Ford. Identity, movement, and futurism collide in a groundbreaking new work from two of America’s most fearless dance artists.
The Sierra Madre Playhouse, long revered as a cultural cornerstone of Southern California, takes an audacious leap into the unknown this May with the world premiere of “In Search of an Exit.” Choreographed and performed by celebrated interdisciplinary dance artists Steven Atwater and Thomas Ford. The evening-length production confronts themes of otherness, belonging, and the fragmented pursuit of identity.
Audiences can witness this singular performance event on May 17 and 18, 2025, at 7:30 PM, within the Playhouse’s storied 99-seat space nestled in the San Gabriel foothills.
Blending sci-fi mythologies, original soundscapes, and emergent movement vocabularies, Atwater and Ford construct a world that breathes with the urgency of now. “This piece emerged from grief, rage, and joy. It asks how we navigate exile and still find the rhythm of hope,” said Ford, a USC Kaufman professor and longtime curator of Black queer performance.
Atwater, a choreographer known for redefining concert dance boundaries, added, “Our bodies carry ancestral memories. We’re not just dancing—we’re testifying.”
The production leverages digital mediation, sensorial sound, and live embodiment to draw the audience into a visceral dreamscape where marginalized voices speak without interruption. Both artists possess elite credentials—Atwater with work shown at the Martha Graham Company’s Next@Graham and Ford with appearances at The Joyce Theater and Symphony Space, but it is their unrelenting humanity that elevates “In Search of an Exit” beyond performance.
Steven Atwater and Thomas Ford
Pushing Boundaries with Purpose and Precision
The Sierra Madre Playhouse, described by ABC7 as “a landmark theater,” continues to lead by championing works that challenge, provoke, and invite reflection. “In Search of an Exit” arrives amid growing demand for representation and authenticity in American performance spaces.
Data underscores this shift. A recent Dance/USA report revealed 62% of audiences crave content addressing racial and gender inclusion. Meanwhile, 83% of emerging choreographers identify technology as essential to future storytelling. Notably, venues programming new works by Black artists have seen 23% higher ticket retention since 2023, according to a National Endowment for the Arts survey.
Sierra Madre Playhouse Artistic Director Christian Lebano called the production “transformative,” noting, “This isn’t just a dance performance. It’s a communion. A search. And perhaps, a finding.”
Where Does the Exit Lead?
“In Search of an Exit” doesn’t provide easy answers—but that’s precisely the point. Instead, it invites the audience to linger in discomfort, awaken curiosity, and reconsider the question itself. As Atwater observed, “Sometimes the only way out is through the body’s truth.”
Tickets, priced between $12 and $35, are available at www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. The Playhouse, located at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd, continues to honor its mission of nurturing art that bridges divides, sparks dialogue, and expands what live performance can be.
In a cultural landscape hungry for connection, “In Search of an Exit” offers no maps—only motion, memory, and meaning.
FAQ:
What is the primary theme of “In Search of an Exit”?
The performance explores identity, otherness, and community through interdisciplinary dance and sound.
Who are the artists behind the show?
Steven Atwater and Thomas Ford—renowned for their innovative work in choreography, technology, and cultural storytelling.
Where and when is the premiere?
At Sierra Madre Playhouse on May 17 and 18, 2025, at 7:30 PM.
Why is this production significant?
It blends live dance, digital tech, and marginalized narratives in a way rarely seen on traditional stages.
Keywords: Sierra Madre Playhouse, In Search of an Exit, Steven Atwater, Thomas Ford, interdisciplinary dance
Secondary Keywords: contemporary dance, identity in performance, LA dance scene, cultural storytelling, experimental choreography
Sierra Madre Playhouse Hosts Atwater and Ford.
