Maria Swisher and Tana Sirois first began working together in 2008 during their University training at The Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts in England. It was working together on a devised production of Pinocchio, experimenting with the political theatre methods of Augusto Boal, that their creative relationship really began to form. 

Dirt [contained] makes work with a strong background in Grotwoski-inspired physical theatre. They utilize a truly experimental approach, focusing primarily on original work while using a variety of theatrical languages to engage modern audiences.

They strive to explore the complex and important issues of our time with humor and truth.

In 2010, the pair co-directed and co-produced their first full-scale production: a post apocalyptic take on Ionesco's The Chairs. They continued working together throughout their years at LIPA, both graduating with a first class BA (Hons) in Acting in 2011.

Immediately after graduation, Swisher and Sirois began working on an original science fiction play, (written by Swisher and directed by Sirois), entitled The Last Eden. The project, supported by the Arts Council England, premiered at the Kazimier in Liverpool, United Kingdom in September of 2011.  

The same year, Dirt [contained] also performed as a visiting company at the invitation of the Liverpool Shakespeare Festival in their collaborative production of "Come And Have A Go: Richard III".

After being tragically ripped apart by UK visa laws for three years, Swisher and Sirois reunited in America in 2015 for their New York debut: the New York premiere of Robert Shearman's Easy Laughter at The Alchemical Theatre Laboratory in NYC.

In 2016, they were asked to be a resident theatre company at The Plaxall Gallery in LIC, where they recently produced Garden Of Delights by Fernando Arrabal, and are currently developing their newest original piece: Crushing Baby Animals.