FireWALL Dance Theater aims to empower
Beauty, sex, predator culture, feminism — potent subjects don’t faze fireWALL Dance Theater.
This week, the Carnegie Stage’s contemporary dance troupe premieres “Stroking Its Ego,” an unapologetic rally cry for stripping away societal expectations and feeling comfortable in one’s skin. It opens Thursday for a four-day run in Carnegie.
For artistic director Elisa-Marie Alaio — a Point Park University dance alumna in her mid 20s who teaches at Millennium Dance Complex on the South Side — the show is a milestone in her budding choreographic career.
“This new show that I’ve created comes from a super personal place. It’s like the first time I can say it truly comes from within,” she says. “I want to step outside the box and make a statement, and I’m making a pretty big statement with this show.”
The titles of each of its three parts reflect lyrics by rising indie artist Allan Rayman: “Killing My Lonely,” “P*ssy Is Power” and “Welcome to the Circle.” Ms. Alaio teamed with Pittsburgh-based percussionist PJ Roduta to arrange a selection of Mr. Rayman’s songs for theshow.
“His music spoke to me,” she says.
As the soundscape shifts, so does the show’s energy. “I get to showcase three sides of myself as a mover and a dancer and a choreographer.”
Although fireWALL was founded with a focus on female empowerment, “Stroking Its Ego” also features male dancers, which is not the norm for the company.
“I just want people to appreciate a woman and a man. It’s about men and women coming together and embracing all of our sides and ego,” Ms. Alaio says. “Gender doesn’t really matter.”
These days, Ms. Alaio is striving to make statements on and off the stage. Like many lifelong dancers, she’s a product of the competition circuit, a rigorous lifestyle of traveling and training to out-dance others week after week.
“All that stuff was good, but the competitive life really got to me and led to an eating disorder,” she says. “I want to show kids that they don’t have to go through the struggle that I went through. Just because you don’t get a trophy or a medal doesn’t make you any less.”
At 7 p.m. June 30, Ms. Alaio is planning a fundraiser at the theater to support the University of Pittsburgh’s chapter of Project Heal, which raises awareness about eating disorders and funds for treatment.
This summer, she’s launching the junior fireWALL Dance Theater program for ages 12-16. For two weeks, young dancers will train alongside professionals and learn about nutrition and other tips for a healthy, active lifestyle. The intensive will end with a showcase at Carnegie Stage in August.
“I always have something brewing, and I’m already thinking about the next show.”