As I return to the city and all it's demands, I begin here with a reflection on our time at Centre Q from my collaborator and dear friend Michael Caldwell.

July 28, 2013

Here's a rambling quasi-poetic prose blog post:

Just passing a week since my visit to the farm, still processing all that was said, questioned, uncovered, created... 

I have known Jennifer Dallas since our time in school together... I remember dancing in Jen's first choreographic work in school (walking slowly across a stage with a balloon and string in my hand) so it was a pleasure to continue along the cycle of our artistic work.  She is a fantastic choreographer and a gifted performer in so many ways.  Her patience, her calm, her devotion and respect to the images... it was wonderful to "get to know" her in this capacity - as a co-conspirator in interpretation and performance.

And Tedd is quite frankly a genius - a rare gift to dance, art, and humanity.  So generous in sharing his expertise, his home, and his infinite wisdom.  I've danced for Tedd a few years ago and I'm so happy to return.  I could easily and happily get lost in his choreographic world of images again and again.

The work is challenging, very specific in its physical intention, with tons of room for interpretation.  Images flow through my performance with abundance and clarity.  My eyes are sore (is that even possible?) and my big toes now know the meaning of 'flexion'.

What else to say about the two weeks at Centre Q?
Let's see... Kubrick lessons, Stella, wine, allergies... or not, Charlotte's web every night, Charles, meal chants ... and dishes, dishes, dishes.  And the dinner time chats - talking about life and art and the future.  Taking the time to ask, "who am I?" and, "what am I doing, and why?"... everyone should be so lucky - to confront yourself in the mirror and realize that you are doing what you were meant to do and that everything is going to be alright... - MC

This new duet by Tedd Robinson will premier as part of our September production Stages, September 18-22, 2013 at the Winchester Street Theatre, Toronto. 

Centre Q : Creation

Jennifer Dallas and Michael Caldwell are in creation with Tedd Robinson and Charles Quevillon at Centre Q.

Dancemakers residency : After thoughts

It is hard to know where to begin when reflecting on our time at Dancemakers. It was in essence the perfect week.  We traveled through the world of Time Now, a work I began creating two years ago with dancers Joanie Audet, Ana Groppler and Emma Kerson. With the opportunity to work in the theatre space I was able to play with props, sound and lighting equipment that till this point were just ideas in my mind or small sketches in my notebook.

During our residency Elizabeth Shepherd (composer for the work) spent a day improvising with voice and piano while John MacLean (recording engineer and musical arranger) captured the sounds. Omar Yukseker joined us for two days of photo capture and I was able to acquire countless hours of video footage.

Time is invaluable to an artist,  it is rare for small dance companies to have unlimited access to studio space for several days consecutively. The week brought with it a freedom for experimentation. Our rehearsals were between 6 and 8 hrs each day, I would arrive early to spend time in the space and often leave late sketching ideas for the next day before I left the incubator of the studio.  It seemed a luxury to me to spend this kind of time surrounded by collaborators and open space to romp through my physical thoughts.

Kemi will produce Time Now as part of Stages at The Winchester Street Theatre in September. Having had this intensive period with the collaborators I feel certain that we will be presenting a work that is more informed and developed. I hope that in the coming years Dancemakers will offer more of these opportunities and that the artist councils will support the artists in residence. Dedicated time to practice is the simplest way to support any artist and I am deeply grateful for this time.

- JD