When Heather and Darren Stevenson tell a love story on stage, it’s not an act. They have been married for 32 years and served as co-artistic directors of PUSH Physical Theatre for 25 years — by now, performing side-by-side is second nature. As part of the company’s 25th anniversary celebration, PUSH will host a homecoming of sorts at Geva Theatre March 13–21 with the premiere of “HOME[sic],” a new work featuring pieces from PUSH’s past with fresh explorations of what it means to feel truly at home.
We caught up with the couple to explore the show, what it means to work, live and raise children together — and what’s next for PUSH at 25 years.
CITY: What drew you to physical theater, and to each other?
Darren: I was a very shy kid, and theater gave me a script so I didn’t have to think about what to say. That was life changing. I was also drawn to shape, line and design; physical theater felt radical. And Heather? It was her looks and her humor! I’m constantly amazed by her depth of empathy and willingness to help others.
Heather: Physical theater encompasses so many art forms, and I love borrowing from them to find the best movement for each statement we make. Mime technique, for instance, can carve out an environment without any props — it’s beautifully minimalist. I was amazed that Darren came to the U.S. at [age] 20 with nothing but a guitar and two suitcases. I loved his vision to make a difference through a movement company.
CITY: What is it like to be artistic partners as well as life partners?
Heather: Much of our creative work stems from shared experiences and raising a family together. We’re performers, but we live a real relationship. That means sometimes we have to perform when we’re not thrilled with each other. Then there are times when I realize how lucky we are to experience a moment together under beautiful lighting, looking into each other’s eyes.
Darren: We’ve had to create boundaries between personal and professional life. Some dynamics work in a relationship but don’t in an artistic space. Overall, being collaborators enriches our relationship and has been an amazing way to raise our two sons. Someone once told me you spend the most time with your coworkers — it’s beautiful that we get to spend our overtime together.
CITY: Was touring with your kids challenging?
Heather: Yes. It was important to find pockets of time just for family, even just debriefing in the car every day. Each of our boys brought little pieces of home to hotel rooms: a blanket, Buzz or Woody toy, photos we set up. They met amazing people, experienced diverse cultures, saw play and imagination in adults and I think that has enriched who they are.
Darren: They had these crazy adventures, yet they were with mom and dad the whole time.
CITY: What made you decide to put down roots in Rochester?
Darren: In 2000, we moved to Rochester to be near friends and see what starting a company here would look like. We said we’d give it a year. We’ve been here ever since.
Heather: It’s home. We’ve developed beautiful connections, and the community inspires our choreography. People share their struggles and challenges with us, and that becomes a jumping-off point for storytelling. It’s a deep listening practice, and then we try to make the body speak those stories.
CITY: How has PUSH evolved over the years?
Darren: We started with five performers and one technical director. It was a great number on stage, and we fit in a minivan! Now, because of funding and our bodies’ needs, it’s usually just me, Heather and Ashley Jones, our creative director. We’ve also expanded community outreach and education for children and teens. It’s powerful to see students gain confidence and agency to tell their story and have people listen.
CITY: What are you most proud of as artists?
Darren: Sustaining this for 25 years. It’s hard on the body, economically challenging and tough on family. But we’re still going and we’re telling stories that resonate.
Heather: Watching audiences engage with our shows is humbling. They suspend disbelief at the door and are ready for the ride. That’s really cool because a performance should be interactive, making a space for our imaginations to come together.
CITY: What’s next for PUSH?
Darren: “HOME[sic]” brings our history to the stage and explores belonging. In these polarized times, people are seeking a genuine sense of home — not just a place, but family, community and self-discovery. pushtheatre.org
Sydney Burrows is a Rochester-based dancer and writer focused on amplifying the stories of talented artists across the region.
