Dance Nation by Clare Barron

The Party’s 2025 Mainstage play in Stamford, New York.
Somewhere in America, an army of pre-teen competitive dancers plots to take over the world. And if their new routine is good enough, they’ll claw their way to the top at Nationals in Tampa Bay. A play about ambition, growing up, and how to find our souls in the heat of it all.
At an abandoned church in East Nashville, 19 artists gathered to tell a story about fighting for your voice, following your truth, and the power of choosing the love that’s right for you.
“The social media buzz was hot and heavy for Big Love, with theaterati of all stripes extolling the virtues of the script and hearalding the show’s talented cast for their total commitment to the project.” (Jeff Ellis)
With completely original music from blues to punk rock, we took the audience on the journey of fifty brides fleeing a mass aranged marriage.
Soon, the fifty grooms caught up with the brides and mayhem ensued: women threw themselves over and over again to the ground, people danced, someone flew, things were smashed…
…and finally, unable to escape their forced marriages, 49 of the brides murdered 49 of the grooms and one bride fell in love.
Big Love was written by Charles Mee and produced by Kristin McCalley in collaboration with Members of The Party. Direction by Amanda Card. Show Design by Clayton Landiss. Music by Mike Rosenbaum and Brooke Gronermeyer. Movement by Kristin Moon. Photos by Sean Cooney.

Directed by: 
Kristin McCalley

Cast: 
Marisa Caruso
Gabriel Faure-Brac 
Cat Morrison
Morgan Pearse
Pareesa Pourian
Justin Raymund
Adrian Shirk
Usha Tagliaferro
Glenna Yu 

Choreographer: 
Rod Sauquillo

Lighting Designer:
Gabriel Faure-Brac

Set Designer: 
Alyssa Matthews

Lighting and Set Consultant:
Clayton Landiss

Dramaturgy:
Emily Harrison

Co-Producers: Kristin McCalley, Adrian Shirk, Marisa Caruso & Jay Shultis

This production is made possible in part by generous support from a Delaware County Arts Grant and the Robert B & Addie P Thompson Trust. Special thanks to The Pull, Stamford’s own indie freeform radio and arts

Directed by: 
Kristin McCalley

Cast: 
Marisa Caruso
Gabriel Faure-Brac 
Cat Morrison
Morgan Pearse
Pareesa Pourian
Justin Raymund
Adrian Shirk
Usha Tagliaferro
Glenna Yu 

Choreographer: 
Rod Sauquillo

Lighting Designer:
Gabriel Faure-Brac

Set Designer: 
Alyssa Matthews

Lighting and Set Consultant
Assistant Designer/Master Electrician:
Clayton Landiss

Dramaturgy:
Emily Harrison

Co-Producers: Kristin McCalley, Adrian Shirk, Marisa Caruso & Jay Shultis

This production is made possible in part by generous support from a Delaware County Arts Grant and the Robert B & Addie P Thompson Trust. Special thanks to The Pull, Stamford’s own indie freeform radio and arts