named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Arc of Ages
Original full-length work by PUSH Physical Theatre that combines narrative storytelling with technical physical performance.
Company Class
Daily training program for company members focusing on core techniques like corporeal mime, illusionary mime, slow-motion illusions, modern dance, and non-traditional partnering, along with supplemental skills such as acrobatics and clowning.
DRACULA
Full-length physical theatre adaptation of the classic novel, using movement, mime, and theatrical techniques to convey the narrative without dialogue.
Generic Male
A satirical physical theatre production exploring masculinity, father-son relationships, and the failing patriarchy through acrobatics, comedy, and emotional storytelling. The show has toured internationally and received multiple "Best of the Fest" awards.
Jekyll & Hyde
Physical theatre interpretation of the Robert Louis Stevenson story, exploring duality of human nature through acrobatics and ensemble performance.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Experimental Circus and Immersive Theater Production 2 activities
- Developing innovative performance techniques and collaborative projectsDevelops original movement systems and performance techniques using tools such as iPads, crutches, walkers, vaulting poles, and human-to-human puppetry. Engages in creative collaborations with diverse groups including NCAA basketball teams, kindergarteners, city orchestras, television producers, and Grammy-winning ensembles like the Ying Quartet.
- Producing original physical theatre performancesCreates and presents full-length and short-form physical theatre productions that combine dance, acrobatics, mime, and athleticism to explore human experiences and social themes. Notable works include DRACULA, Jekyll & Hyde (HYDE), Arc of Ages, Generic Male, RACE or ‘You’ve Seen Me Before’, Someone No One Can See, and HOME[sic], performed nationally and internationally at venues and festivals such as Soho Playhouse Off-Broadway, Geva Theatre Center, Orlando Fringe, Ottawa Fringe, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and the International Festival for Jewish Theatre in Jerusalem.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Capacity building through organizational leadership and financial oversightEnsures organizational sustainability and accountability through experienced leadership, including a founder-president providing strategic oversight and a treasurer with CPA and nonprofit auditing expertise managing financial operations.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Delivering arts education and community workshopsProvides accessible arts education programming through workshops, master classes, residencies, and school-based programs for K–12 students, college students, lifelong learners, and underserved populations including refugee children, at-risk youth, individuals with developmental or learning challenges, people with disabilities, and residents of assisted living facilities. Programs are conducted in classrooms, gyms, studios, and community spaces across diverse locations.
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Original Dance Performance Production 1 activity
- Maintaining company artistic practice and developmentConducts daily company classes focused on physical conditioning and core performance skills, develops new works through improvisation and rehearsal, and tests pieces as "work-in-progress" performances before premiering them for inclusion in the repertory.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Operating PUSH Pins children’s education divisionRuns PUSH Pins, a dedicated children’s education division offering age-appropriate arts programming that introduces young audiences to physical theatre and supports early creative development.
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Arts Education Professional Development 1 activity
- Operating a summer intensive training programRuns an annual six-day intensive training program for adult artists of all backgrounds, featuring daily sessions from 9:00am to 4:30pm that include technique training, performance application, and evening lab sessions. The program includes housing with kitchen facilities and attracts international participants.
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Virtual Education Continuity Programs 1 activity
- Providing free digital educational resourcesProduces and distributes a free series of physical theatre training videos designed to support remote learning and classroom engagement during periods of social isolation, encouraging educators and students to incorporate them into teaching and submit response videos.
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Art Appreciation and Public Engagement 1 activity
- Sharing creative methodology through public presentationsPresents the organization's creative process and artistic philosophy at public forums such as TEDx Rochester to promote broader understanding of physical theatre and inspire other artists and educators.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$291K
Contributions & grants$160K55%
Program service revenue$129K44%
Investment income$2K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$289K
Program expenses91%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$129K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$74K
Cash$74K
Investments$0
Liabilities$18K
Net assets$57K
Liquid reserves3.1 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +16.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Stevenson | CEO & Artistic Director | 40 | $54K |
| Heather Stevenson | Artistic Director | 40 | $47K |
board members · 7
- Haley Henning — Treasurer
- Larry Francer — Director
- Luane Haggerty — Director
- Michael Chiafulio — Director
- Nick Jospe — Director
- Paul Tracy — Director
- Stephanie Reh — President
relationships · 48
Who they work with
- Airigami Partner — Provided studio space for filming the physical theatre training videos.
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Partner — Hosted Push Physical Theatre's performance of HYDE.
- Envision Productions Partner — Producer/director and owner of external production company serves on board, indicating production collaboration.
- Facebook Partner — Shares photos and media content through Facebook albums.
- Farash Foundation Funder — Provided grant funding for the collaboration with RIT’s National Institute for the Deaf on “Red Ball”
- Genesee Valley Council on the Arts Funder — Provided support for Ashley Jones’ artistic work
- Geva Theatre Partner — Board member affiliated with regional theatre organization supports professional artistic collaboration.
- Geva Theatre Partner — Hosted multiple performances of Push Physical Theatre's production HYDE.
- Geva Theatre Center Partner — Collaborated on performances, recognized as highlight of the season
- Hassiem Muhammad Partner — Collaborated on the production RACE or ‘You’ve Seen Me Before’
- Hochstein School Partner — Provided rehearsal studio space essential to the creation of "HYDE"
- Hochstein School Partner — Provides rehearsal studio space essential to the development of HOME[sic].
- Monroe Orleans BOCES Partner — Collaboration with children with disabilities contributes to the thematic development of the performance.
- Mullins, P.C. Partner — Treasury and auditing services provided by a professional accounting firm.
- NCAA basketball teams Partner — Collaborated with PUSH Physical Theatre on artistic residencies or performances
- NTID/RIT Performing Arts Partner — Board member affiliated with RIT's National Technical Institute for the Deaf indicates partnership in accessible performing arts.
- National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Provided a grant that helped make the production of "HYDE" possible
- National Technical Institute for the Deaf Partner — Collaborated on the creation of “Red Ball” using iPad technology and participated in creative focus groups
- National Technical Institute for the Deaf Partner — Collaborative relationship providing creative inspiration through engagement with students.
- New England Foundation for the Arts Funder — Provided a grant that helped make the production of "HYDE" possible
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provided a grant that helped make the production of "HYDE" possible
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provides grant funding to support PUSH Physical Theatre's work.
- Paul Bellos Partner — Contributed to the naming of PUSH Physical Theatre through a conversation with the founders.
- Penny Sterling Partner — Collaborated on the production Someone No One Can See
- Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon Partner — Collaborated on two multi-media operas
- Robin Klinger Entertainment Partner — Handles booking for PUSH Physical Theatre
- Rochester Area Community Foundation Funder — Provided a grant that helped make the production of "HYDE" possible
- Rochester Area Community Foundation Funder — Provides grant funding to support PUSH Physical Theatre's work.
- Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Collaborated on performances and multi-media projects
- Sally Cohen PR Partner — Provides media and public relations services for PUSH Physical Theatre
+ 18 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Arts-Integrated Experiential Learningmethodology: learn-by-doingBy immersing participants in daily, hands-on physical theatre practice and separating technical training from creative application, the organization develops practical performance skills and artistic confidence, because structured, iterative doing deepens mastery and creative ownership.
- Ensemble-Driven and Iterative Artistic Developmentmethodology: ensemble-driven creationBy building performances through ensemble contributions and ongoing improvisational refinement, the organization creates more resonant and meaningful work, because collective authorship and adaptive creation enhance authenticity and audience connection.
- Physical Storytelling for Community Empowermentmethodology: physical_storytelling_for_community_empowermentBy using physical theatre and nonverbal performance to help marginalized individuals express personal stories, the organization strengthens community cohesion and individual agency, because embodied expression enables voice where verbal or traditional forms may fail.