Texture Choreography Project Features Its Most Diverse Selections of Dance Styles To Date

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 22, 2026

Texture Choreography Project Showcases Artists from Pittsburgh and Beyond Texture Contemporary Ballet presents its annual choreography program, Texture Choreography Project, which consists of a selection of choreographers from Pittsburgh and beyond presenting new and original works.   Texture has annually presented a choreography project since 2011, consistently aligning with its mission to foster creativity, uplift artists as individuals, and celebrate diversity and self-expression. This initiative offers choreographers, regardless of their experience level, a platform to present their work and innovative concepts. Guest choreographers are invited to either bring their own dancers to showcase existing pieces or to create new works specifically for Texture dancers. The program actively encourages choreographers to embrace risk-taking, experiment with novel ideas, and explore new artistic territories. “Texture Choreography Project is open to choreographers of all styles of dance,” says Artistic & Executive Director Alan Obuzor. “We are looking to elevate a diverse set of choreographic voices while giving choreographic opportunities to choreographers who are at any stage of their career.”

Texture Resident Dancer Madeline Kendall Schreiber (She/Her) performing in Texture’s 2025 TCP showcase - Photographer: Rachel Harman

Why is Texture Choreography Project Important? “I think that TCP is important because not only does it bring new voices but it bring new artists to Pittsburgh and it allows the artists in Texture to be exposed to a wide range of voices. I think it really helps us spark innovation in an art form that can kind of feel like it’s not moving too much; this feels like a catalyst for a lot of new growth.”   -Izzy Wolf ~ TCP 2026 Choreographer "I feel like Projects like TCP are important because this gives an ample opportunity for local choreographers, local dancers, and performers to give themselves a chance or put themselves out there by either applying their choreography on the dancers at TCP or bringing in one of their own pieces and allowing it to be seen from a newer audience. This gives that chance that most places and most faculties don’t actually use in terms of this opportunity… with TCP being able to attach the choreography onto their dancers on staff, is such a huge opportunity because I wouldn’t be able to try putting choreography on more people and different bodies. So this gives us a chance to have more teaching experience, more choreography experience, more stage experience, and allowing us to overall gain opportunity from being around such good dancers, while also being able to place choreography on them as well.”   -Jita the Believer ~ TCP 2026 Choreographer “…it really provides a space for choreographers to come in and work with professional bodies and just this place for exploration and openness… to just come in here and have these people that are top tier professionals and just make them listen, and you listen, and work together and collaborate and see where that takes it. This program is a nice openness for people to just come in and then just create in a new environment if you’re not from the area. -Enrique Villacreses ~ TCP 2026 Choreographer

Texture Choreography Project will culminate with two performances which will take place at The Greer Cabaret Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh on November 13 & 14, at 7:30pm. This evening will feature choreography by 17 different choreographers: Nick M. Daniels, Olivia Emert, Nadine Fox, Jita the Believer, Nandini Mandal, Ezekiel Martinez, Brittany Nettles, Haley Nolan, Alan Obuzor, Emilee Pratt, Gabby Schafer, Genevieve Shultz, Mia Semieraro, Jillian Sinko, Damarion Thomas, Enrique Villacreses, Izzy Wolf The Greer Cabaret Theater offers a stylish and intimate space to experience dance - featuring comfortable seating, upscale bistro fare, and craft cocktails. Guests can treat themselves to an evening of food and drink while experiencing the power and beauty of dance in Pittsburgh. Patrons can purchase tickets to attend the Texture Choreography Project performance online in advance or at the door

Texture Resident Dancers performing in Texture’s 2025 TCP showcase - Photographer: Rachel Harman

Box Office Texture Choreography Project Friday, November 13, 2026 • 7:30pm Saturday, November 14, 2026 • 7:30pm Run time TBD Venue The Greer Cabaret Theater • 655 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Tickets Tickets range from $43–$48 plus fees, and can be purchased online. Senior, student, and artist discounts are available. Accessibility The Greer Cabaret Theater is fully wheelchair accessible. For more information about accessibility, contact Katie Miller at admin@textureballet.org.

Program Information Pieces on this program will include: OPUS 728 by Nick M. Daniels - based out of Pittsburgh (Title TBD) Olivia Emert - based out of Kansas City A Brief Encounter Between Floors by Nadine Fox & Mia Semieraro - based out of K. by Jita the Believer - based out of Pittsburgh (Title TBD) Nandini Mandal - based out of Pittsburgh & you left something here by Haley Nolan, Assistant Choreographer Ezekiel Martinez - based out of Pittsburgh Swamp Monster by Brittany A. Nettles - based out of Pittsburgh Reflection ​by Alan Obuzor - based out of Pittsburgh Façade by Emilee Pratt - based out of Rochester, NY (Tile TBD) Gabby Schafer based out of Greensburg Torn by Genevieve Shultz - based out of England Red Room by Jillian Sinko - based out of Pittsburgh (Tile TBD) Damarion Thomas - based out of Pittsburgh Lethal Devotion by Enrique Villacreses - based out of Miami En Rouge by ​Izzy Wolf - based out of Chicago

Artistic Director

Alan Obuzor  (He/Him) Alan Obuzor choreographed his first work in 2002 on himself and a fellow dancer.  Since that time he has choreographed over 120 new works for Texture Contemporary Ballet, Texture Ballet School, PBT, PBTS, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company, New Ballet Ensemble, Harvard Ballet Company, Point Park University, Dancers' Trust, Canton Ballet, Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and various independent projects.  In 2011, Alan won first place in the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters Dance/Choreography competition. During 2014 Alan was awarded a BRAZZY Award – “Outstanding Male Dancer in Pittsburgh 2014”. In 2017 Mr. Obuzor received an “Outstanding Teacher Award” by Youth America Grand Prix. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Texture Contemporary Ballet 2011, and Texture Ballet School 2019.

Sponsors

Texture’s 2026-2027 Season is made possible in part with generous support from: Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) Arts, Equity, & Education Fund The Heinz Endowments New Hazlett Theater Opportunity Fund​ Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Pittsburgh Foundation Individual Donors Corporate Donors

About Texture Contemporary Ballet Texture Contemporary Ballet is Pittsburgh’s largest contemporary ballet company that fuses the power and precision of classical ballet with the freedom and creativity of contemporary dance to surprise and delight audiences and empower the next generation of dancers and choreographers.  Texture Contemporary Ballet was founded in 2011 by Alan Obuzor and has since been dedicated to creating and presenting predominantly new and original dance works for audiences who love to be inspired through movement. The company empowers its artists to take creative risks and invites audiences to engage with their own thoughts and emotions by forming meaningful connections through the power of live dance. What to expect from a Texture show? Exciting dance, creativity, energy, passionate artists, great music, and magical moments that will move you and inspire you. Texture champions self expression, the joy of movement, diversity in ballet, and the power of dance to explore important stories, thoughts, and emotions.