Dan Pittman, of Plymouth, is the 29th #NEPACreative of 2017. Dan brings creativity to the area through choreography by means of dance and movement.

Dan started doing theater at the age of 10, when he had the opportunity to play a cat, and he has not stopped since. He went on to earn a degree in musical theater as well as a certification in dance awareness and gymnastics safety.

Interestingly enough, Dan was not always interested in dancing. “Growing up, I had no desire to dance, ever,” Pittman said. “But when I was 17, I attended Summer Theatre Institute at Desales University and fell in love with dance.”

Dan began doing theater locally last year, and since then, he has choreographed and directed 15 productions at four different theaters. Some of his favorites include “Legally Blonde Jr.” and “Grease: School Edition,” because he gets to work with children.

“I am constantly inspired by those around me. My first dance teacher, Lynne Mariani, is a constant role model and inspiration. I’m also inspired by the contributions of Jessica Suda and Candice Rowe in youth theater in the area,” Pittman explained.

Last year, Dan had the opportunity to be apart of Dancing Stars of Wilkes Barre, an annual fundraiser to benefit KISS Theatre in Wilkes-Barre Township. Local “celebrities” are paired with dance professionals from the area and they create a dance. Dan’s partner was Ranae Smigiel, a professional hair stylist whom recently opened her second salon in Wilkes-Barre. Keep an eye out for Dan’s return at the second annual Dancing Stars of Wilkes Barre on Saturday, October 21st!

Currently, Dan is working on summer workshops at The Music Box Dinner Playhouse, in Swoyersville. He’s choreographing “Wonka Kids” and “Hairspray Jr.,” and he is also choreographing “Godspell Jr.” at KISS Theatre. He recently became the Artistic Director and Owner of Act Out Theatre in Taylor.

To Dan, being creative through choreography means having a way to express himself and bring music to life.

When being considered as an NEPA Creative, individuals are asked to explain how they bring creativity to the area, how long they have been doing it and why, and finally what being creative means to them. Once chosen, the next step is to bring each creative into CoalCreative’s studio space to be filmed for a 60 second video that is shared every Wednesday across all their social media platforms. The series plans to highlight all sorts of creatives throughout the rest of the year. There are no limits to who could be considered. Photographers, musicians, barbers, magicians and improv artists are just a handful of the submissions CoalCreative has received thus far.

Dan Pittman, of Plymouth, brings creativity to NEPA through choreography in dance and theater.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Dan-Pittman-submitted-by-CoalCreative.jpgDan Pittman, of Plymouth, brings creativity to NEPA through choreography in dance and theater. Courtesy of CoalCreative

Pittman choreographed a production of ‘Oklahoma’ at the Music Box Dinner Playhouse in Swoyersville.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Oklahoma-music-box-dinner-playhouse-submitted-by-Dan.jpgPittman choreographed a production of ‘Oklahoma’ at the Music Box Dinner Playhouse in Swoyersville. Submitted photo

Pittman works with actors in a rehearsal for a production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at Act Out Theatre in Taylor, which Pittman owns and operates.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Jesus-Christ-Superstar-Act-Out-submitted-by-Dan.jpgPittman works with actors in a rehearsal for a production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at Act Out Theatre in Taylor, which Pittman owns and operates. Submitted photo

Pittman and Ranae Smigiel competed in Dancing Stars of Wilkes-Barre to benefit KISS Theatre in Wilkes-Barre Township. Pittman will participate in the second annual fundraiser in October.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Dancing-Stars-of-Wilkes-Barre-submitted-by-Dan.jpgPittman and Ranae Smigiel competed in Dancing Stars of Wilkes-Barre to benefit KISS Theatre in Wilkes-Barre Township. Pittman will participate in the second annual fundraiser in October. Submitted photo
Plymouth choreographer active in theater, dance

By Holly Pilcavage

For Weekender

To be considered for the series, submit a consideration form at www.coalcreative.com/are-you-a-nepa-creative or send an email to holly@coalcreative.com.