Founded in 2007 by the Dynamic Duo of David T. English & W. Donald Orkoskey The Schmutz Company quickly rose to prominence as brilliant stop motion animators. Many accolades were laid at their feet. The pressure from the throngs of fans quickly became difficult for them to handle and for much of 2008 they took a break to focus on their personal lives.
They came back full force in 2009 after adding several associate members including Luke Williams who is now their musical director. Since returning to the art scene full force the Schmutz Company has refocused itself as a performance and visual arts spectacle. They’ve produced a number of non-traditional puppet shows and even had a one-off performance at the world renowned Three Rivers Arts Festival.
After their successes at the TRAF they performed at the cabaret style show “Puppets and Pierogies” with performers from as far away as New Orleans. They also teamed up with Pittsburgh’s Typewriter Girls for their show Typewriter Girls Vs. God. Dave then collaborated with them again during their performance at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture.
Collaborations continued when the Schmutz Company teamed up with Squonk Opera for their Halloween show at the Kelly Strayhorn theater.
The Schmutz Company currently operates out of the Schmutz Lodge at 5405 Broad St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. As part of our move into the city’s east end we restructured the Schmutz Company as follows:
- David T. English – Lead partner in charge of conceptualization, content, writing, mania, measuring & cutting, building, the Blues, and fire creation.
- W. Donald Orkoskey – Secondary partner in charge of marketing, lighting, technology, left-field idea farming, web design, and fire tending.
- Aaron Preston Crothers – Associate partner in charge of audio, matter handling, printing, cat herding.
- Luke Williams – Associate partner in charge of music, laughter, logistics, beard retention, and fire pit safety.
We have a number of other artists that we love to collaborate with – check the links for more information. These include fire artists, literary genesises, belly dancers, conceptual artists, and musicians.
