PAST SEASON: 2022-2023

SERPENTINE

November 25-26, 8:00pm

November 27, 4:00pm

November 24, 7:30pm - Preview performance

WCD is thrilled to introduce Daina Ashbee to Winnipeg audiences! An award-winning Métis/Dutch Canadian artist, Ashbee’s work has been presented to international acclaim in 15 countries and over 35 different cities. Her works have been performed at some of the most prestigious festivals, including The Venice Biennale – and on the world stage (Canada, France, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Finland, Greenland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Mexico). Serpentine is an installation performance, set to an original composition by Jean-Francois Blouin and features a unique and intimate audience experience with seating right on stage, up close and personal.

Artist Talk to follow Sunday matinee.

 

SERPENTINE:

Artistic Direction, Concept, Choreography & Scenography:
Daina Ashbee

Interpreted by:
Irene Martinez

Original Sound Scape Design:
Jean-Francois Blouin

Photo (above):
Photo: Ian Douglas; Performer: Areli Moran

Daina Ashbee

Click for Bio

Daina Ashbee

Choreographer

Artist, performer and choreographer based in Canada, born in Nanaimo, British Columbia known for her radical works at the edge of dance and performance. At the age of 26, she had already won two awards for her choreographies. She was a double prizewinner at the Prix de la danse de Montréal, winning both the Prix du CALQ for Best Choreography of 2015-2016 for her choreographic installation When the Ice Melts, Will We Drink the Water?, and the Prix Découverte de la danse, for Unrelated (her first choreography). Daina was named by the prestigious German TANZ magazine as
one of 30 promising artists for the year 2017 and named one of 25 to watch by the American
publication, DANCE in 2018. In 2019, she won a New York Dance and Performance Award, Bessie, for Outstanding Choreographer. In 2021, at the age of 31, she had two separate Retrospectives of her performance artworks; one in Montpellier, France and the second in Montreal, Canada.

Recognized as one of the most prolific choreographers of her generation, since 2015 her work has been presented over one-hundred times in 15 countries and over 35 different cities. Her work being presented in some of the most prestigious festivals (The Venice Biennale, Oktoberdans, the Munich Dance Biennale, Montpellier Danse) and on the stages of the world (Canada, France, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Finland, Greenland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Mexico).

After residing for 8 years in the city of Montréal, in 2020 she relocated to Gabriola Island, British
Columbia (unceded territory of Snuneymuxw Nation) where she re-sources her creative and
energetic practices close to the rain forest on the west coast of Canada while she is not touring or
creating abroad. She continues to tour regularly in Europe, Canada and the United States. In 2020
two new pieces were released: a male solo, Laborious Song and a group piece, J’ai pleuré avec les chiens (later renamed J’ai pleuré avec les chiens TIME, CREATION, DESTRUCTION in 2021).

Daina has also begun creating another group piece My Tale on a Fish’s Body which will premiere in 2023. In 2021 Daina presented 5 of her original works at Montpellier Dance Festival: Unrelated (2014), Pour (2016), When the ice melts, will we drink the water? (2016), Serpentine (2017) and Laborious Song (2020). Daina presented 4 of her original works at Usine-C titled <<Daina Ashbee
Retrospective>> which featured Unrelated, Pour, When the ice melts, will we drink the water? and
Laborious Song in October 2021.

She is also a teacher of movement, choreography and therapeutic practices. She has taught at the
Venice Biennale College in Venice, Italy, as a guest at The University of Stavanger, Norway and at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia U.S.A. Daina presented her workshops at Nulty Bod/ZeroPoint Festival in Prague, in Guadalajara, Mexico, across Canada and especially in Montreal, Quebec., for the past 13 years. In 2022 she will teach in Costa Rica and across Canada.

Photo by Patrice Mathieu

X

Irene Martinez

Click for Bio

Irene Martinez

Performer

Irene Martinez born in Mexico City, in 2020 she graduated from the National School of Classic and Contemporary Dance from the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature in Mexico.

In 2021 performed as a soloist, in duet and group pieces, the work of the artist and choreographer Daina Ashbee:  in the festivals  “Montpellier Danse”, “Festival Rencontres Chorégraphiques Seine Saint Denis” in France, Theater “Koninklnternational Festival ijke Vlaamse Schouwburg-KVS” in Brussels, “Usine C centre de création et de diffusion national et international” in Montreál.

In 2022, has continued performing Ashbee’s work in “TanzTage Potsdam Festival”, “Tanz im August Festival” in Germany and “Oktoberdans Festival” in Norway.

In October 2022, she participated as a performer under the direction of the co-founder and artistic director of Berlin based art collective “Chaos Emblematic” Britt Angus, who does interdisciplinary events in Germany and in her home city Vancouver.

Irene also teaches the contemporary dance workshop “Body, voice and gesture” of her own authorship.

Photo: Elaine Helguera

X

LOOKING GLASS

February 10-11, 8:00pm

February 12, 4:00pm

February 09,7:30pm -Preview performance

WCD is thrilled to commission Idan Cohen to create a new work for WCD!

An Israeli choreographer from Kibbutz Mizra, Israel, Cohen was selected by a panel as a Guest Artist in Residence during Covid-19. WCD is thrilled to introduce Cohen’s work to Winnipeg audiences!

Set to piano etudes composed by Phillip Glass and played live by Lisa Rumpel, Cohen’s choreography includes a spectacular team of Winnipeg-based artists.

Artist Talk to follow Sunday matinee.

Looking Glass:

Choreography:
Idan Cohen

Composer:
Phillip Glass

Lighting:
Hugh Conacher

Pianist:
Lisa Rumpel

Costumes:
Megan La Touche

Dancers:
Carol-Ann Bohrn, Justine Erickson, Andrés Felipe Jiménez Mejia, Shawn Maclaine, Sophie Milord, Warren McClelland, Shayla Rudd

Stage Manager:
Samantha Desiree

Photo (above):
Photo: Leif Norman; Dancers: Justine Erickson, Warren McClelland, Carol-Ann Bohrn

Idan Cohen

Click for Bio

Idan Cohen

Choreographer

Idan Cohen was born and raised in Israel, kibbutz Mizra. After being trained as a classical piano player, Cohen received a scholarship to study theatre and fine arts at the “Art Colony”, in Israel‘s Negev (desert), and graduated in excellency.

At the young age of 20 he joined the world known Kibbutz  Dance Company (founder Yehudit Arnon, artistic director Rami Beer) where he danced for many seasons. Cohen holds a BA and an MFA in choreography from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.

Since 2005, Cohen has been creating, performing and teaching, both as a choreographer and as an opera stage director.

Since 2017, Idan Cohen has been the artistic director of ‘Ne. Sans Opera and Dance’, a Vancouver based society that focuses on the fusion of opera, live music, and contemporary dance.

Idan Cohen is represented by ‘Belsher arts management’, a member of the Israeli Choreographers Association, ‘Indie Opera West’ ‘Association for Opera in Canada’ and ‘The Dance Centre’ in Vancouver, Canada.

Cohen connected to WCD by way of a public call to artists and was selected as a Guest Artist in Residence by a panel.

www.idan-cohen.com         www.nesans.net

Photo by Lior Noyman

X

Phillip Glass

Click for Bio

Phillip Glass

Composer

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Philip Glass is a graduate of the University of Chicago and the Juilliard School. In the early 1960s, Glass spent two years of intensive study in Paris with Nadia Boulanger and, while there, earned money by transcribing Ravi Shankar’s Indian music into Western notation. By 1974, Glass had a number of innovative projects creating a large collection of new music for The Philip Glass Ensemble and for the Mabou Mines Theater Company. This period culminated in Music in Twelve Parts and the landmark opera Einstein on the Beach, for which he collaborated with Robert Wilson. Since Einstein, Glass has expanded his repertoire to include music for opera, dance, theater, chamber ensemble, orchestra and film. His scores have received Academy Award nominations (Kundun, The Hours, Notes on a Scandal) and a Golden Globe (The Truman Show). Glass’s memoir Words Without Music was published by Liveright Books in 2015.

Glass received the Praemium Imperiale in 2012, the U.S. National Medal of the Arts from President Barack Obama in 2016, and 41st Kennedy Center Honors in 2018. Glass’s recent works include a circus opera Circus Days and Nights, Symphony No. 13, and Symphony No 14. Glass celebrated his 85th birthday in 2022 with a season of international programming.

Photo: Danny Clinch

X

Hugh Conacher

Click for Bio

Hugh Conacher

Lighting

Hugh Conacher is a lighting and multi-media designer, and a photographer. He has collaborated with choreographers, directors, visual artists, and dance and theatre companies throughout Canada and around the world, in venues large and small, for over 30 years. His multi-disciplinary process straddles the worlds of lighting design, new media technologies, projection and photography, using whichever media form best serves the vision of the project.

Originally from Toronto, Hugh has a long association with WCD, having worked as Resident Lighting Designer at WCD from 1983-2007, with WCD Artistic Directors Bill Evans, Tedd Robinson, and Tom Stroud. Hugh was also a long-time collaborator with WCD founder Rachel Browne, and is a long time collaborator with current AD Jolene Bailie. Hugh has been a member of the Associated Designers of Canada since 1982 and is a member of l’Association des professionnels des arts de la scène du Québec.

Photo: Leif Norman

X

Lisa Rumpel

Click for Bio

Lisa Rumpel

Pianist

Praised for her “fierce artistry” and “poetic” pianism, Winnipeg-based pianist and vocal coach Lisa Rumpel is an active member of Manitoba’s arts scene. Lisa’s vibrant and varied freelance career has included performances with Manitoba Opera, Flipside Opera & Art Song Collective, The Little Opera Company, Manitoba Underground Opera, Agassiz Chamber Music Festival, Nuit Blanche, Cluster New Music + Integrated Arts Festival, Living Room Live, Red Haus Live, Music at the Millennium, Music & Mavens, and the Skywalk Concert Series. She has had the opportunity to work and perform with many of Manitoba’s leading operatic vocalists including Tracy Dahl, Monica Huisman, Lara Ciekiewicz, James McLennan, Andrianna Chuchman, Lizzy Hoyt, and Andrea Lett. Equally comfortable as a collaborator in song, opera, chamber music, and choral music, Lisa brings her sparkling personality, focus, and enthusiasm to every project she undertakes.

Along with performing, Lisa is General Manager of Flipside Opera & Art Song Collective; sits on the boards of The Little Opera Company and the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg; teaches piano at the Winnipeg Conservatory of Music; and coaches voice students at the University of Manitoba.

Photo: David Greisman

X

Megan La Touche

Click for Bio

Megan La Touche

Costumes

Megan LaTouche learned to sew at the young age of 6, and put her sewing skills to good use throughout high school making clothes.

She began making costumes for various dance performances in the 1980s. She spent a year in Montreal studying and working for Claire Nadon, who was instrumental in teaching Megan about pattern drafting and operating industrial machines. It was with Claire that she constructed the costumes for the Can-Can, a dance very dear to her heart, and providing her with a lifelong appreciation for ruffles!

Megan has most recently been making costumes for Bolero Dance Theatre having learned the art of Spanish dance costume construction from Carmen Cano de Infante. She has also made numerous costumes for The School of Contemporary Dancers.

Megan is thrilled to be working on this project as it is the first time since the 1980s that she has made costumes for the company.

Photo: John Gurdebeke

X

Samantha Desiree

Click for Bio

Samantha Desiree

Stage Manager

Samantha is thrilled to be back working with WCD. Selected credits in stage management include: 22/23 Season Launch (WCD), Into the Woods, Network, The Rez Sisters, Orlando (RMTC), The Wizard of Oz (Rainbow) and 20/21 Femfest (Sarasvati).

She is an artist with many interests. She’s worked as a producer, designer, and director in independent theatre in Winnipeg. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours with focus on Stage Management, Production, and Design from the University of Winnipeg. She is excited for her upcoming mentorship with Associated Designers of Canada in Lighting Design on Narrow Bridge (WJT). She is an Associate Company Member of Winnipeg Independent Theatre (WIT), and Artistic Founder of Beau Theatre Co. As always, couldn’t do it without my partner, Matt, and cat, Zella.

Photo: Charmaine Mallari

X

Carol-Ann Bohrn

Click for Bio

Carol-Ann Bohrn

Dancer

Carol-Ann grew up in Brandon, Manitoba, WCD performance credits include: in between here and now, Body & Light, The Space in Between, Modulations, Last Schema, An Aspect of Alterity, and Anthem (all by Jolene Bailie) and Begin Again (by Jera Wolfe). Carol-Ann also danced in WCD: Class at Home, WCD’s Guest Artist in Residence project with Ralph Escamillan, remixing choreography by Tedd Robinson, and participated in a creative process with Melanie Demers, all for WCD.  

Additional: Four seasons and 47 performances with Gearshifting Performance Works (Bailie, Chartier, Browne), By Grand Central Station (PTE), Sick + Twisted Theatre, Odette Heyn, Ming Hon, White Birch Ballet (Williams, Barbuto, Beamish), television commercials, music videos and film. Carol-Ann participated in Cartae Open School (aceartinc) and Foundation Mentorship Program at MAWA, is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers and trained at Ryerson University and RWB’s Teacher Training Program.

Photo: Jenna Wilder

X

Justine Erickson

Click for Bio

Justine Erickson

Dancer

Justine made her debut with WCD in Jera Wolfe’s Begin Again, performing for the in-person premiere in Quebec; and again in Winnipeg.  Earlier this season, Justine performed with WCD in Bailie’s in between here and now, for two performances. Previously, Justine participated in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative for two seasons, performing the shows Up Close and DisDANCING and Flight Paths and in the works Aspects of Alterity, The Space In Between and Proximity (all by Bailie).

Justine is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers and also pursues dance as an independent artist. Through SCD, Justine also had the opportunity to perform with NAfro Dance Productions in Winnipeg, New Dance Horizons in Regina and for additional projects.

Photo: Charles Fernandes

X

Andrés Felipe Jiménez Mejia

Click for Bio

Andrés Felipe Jiménez Mejia

Dancer

Andres joins WCD after dancing in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative for three seasons, performing the shows Up Close and DisDANCING, Reconnect and Flight Paths and in the works Covid Sonata, Aspects of Alterity, Dancing through Uncertainty, The Space In Between and Proximity (all by Bailie).  Earlier this season, Andres also danced with WCD in Bailie’s in between here and now for performances at WCD’s Season Launch, Culture Days at the Forks and Moving Inspirations Dance Festival.

Andres comes to Winnipeg from Bogota, Colombia. Moving to Winnipeg to train at The School of Contemporary Dancers (SCD).  Through SCD, Andres had the opportunity to dance at the Stream of Dance Festival in Regina (in works by Jolene Bailie and Robin Poitras) and in works by many renowned choreographers.  As an independent dancer, Andres performed at Manitoba 150 in choreography by Stephan Azulay.  Andres dances because he believes “…it is the best way to get into people’s souls.”

Photo: Carley Hungerford

X

Shawn Maclaine

Click for Bio

Shawn Maclaine

Dancer

Shawn Maclaine was born in Halifax and grew up in Toronto. Performance credits for WCD include: in between here and now, Last Schema, Covid Sonata, Body & Light, Anthem (all by Bailie), and COMMENTARY ON/OFF (by Ming Hon). Shawn also worked with WCD as a Rehearsal Director and Assistant Stage Manager for WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative show, RECONNECT. Previously Shawn danced under the direction of Bailie at Gearshifting Performance Works for 26 performances and in works by Jolene Bailie and Marie-Josee Chartier.

Shawn is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers where he performed in projects with Odette Heyn, Gaile Petursson-Hiley, GPS Dance Collective (in Leon, Mexico) and as an emerging dancer for WCD’s Verge. Shawn started training at the National Ballet School’s professional program, where he trained for 4 years. After additional training at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Professional Division, his focus shifted to contemporary dance.

Photo: Fiona Witherell

 

X

Warren McClelland

Click for Bio

Warren McClelland

Dancer

Warren danced with Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers for the productions: GORGE (2015), For the Turnstiles (2016), As Though I Had Wings (2017) and as an emerging dancer in Verge (2014-2016). Warren returned to WCD in September 2019, working with Bailie for in between here and now, Last Schema, Modulations, The Space in Between, Anthem and Body & Light as well as for the Guest Artist in Residence Project with Ralph Escamillan, remixing choreography by Tedd Robinson.

Prior to returning to WCD, Warren danced under the direction of Bailie at Gearshifting Performance Works for 16 performances, in several works, in Winnipeg and on tour. Warren has worked with many choreographers both locally and internationally. Additional credits: Weather Parade Dance Theatre, Alex Elliot and Johanna Riley. Warren McClelland is a graduate from the Professional Program of the School of Contemporary Dancers

Photo: Leif Norman

X

Shayla Rudd

Click for Bio

Shayla Rudd

Dancer

Shayla comes to Winnipeg from Oakbank, MB. When we asked her why she dances, she told us, “Because nothing else pushes me physically, mentally, and artistically like dance does!”

Shayla recently performed in in between here and now for WCD (choreography, Jolene Bailie). Shayla previously danced in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative for three seasons and in the works LostMyriad BeingsFeedbackBell/Anti-Bell and Dancing through Uncertainty (all by Bailie). Shayla also dances in “WCD: Class at Home 2”, a free online class available for dancers to train at home during the Covid pandemic. Shayla is a graduate from The School of Contemporary Dancers.

Photo: Jasrin Manalo

X

Sophie Milord

Click for Bio

Sophie Milord

Dancer

Looking Glass is Sophie’s first professional project with WCD. Previously, Sophie danced in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative for three seasons – performing in the shows Up Close and DisDANCING, Reconnect and Flight Paths and in the works Aspects of Alterity, Dancing Through Uncertainty and Proximity (all by Bailie for WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative).

Sophie comes to Winnipeg from Vancouver and is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers. Through SCD, Sophie had the opportunity to perform in additional projects and and is also pursuing dance as an independent artist.

Photo: Courtney Martens

X

retuning

April 14-15, 8:00pm

April 16, 4:00pm

April 13, 7:30pm - Preview performance

retuning by Artistic Director, Jolene Bailie, showcasing an all-Winnipeg team! Featuring an ensemble of dancers, original sound by Emma Hendrix and lighting by long-time collaborator, Hugh Conacher! Known for visual and complex work, Bailie creates experimental works that are highly physical, abstract, and reflective.

Artist Talk to follow Sunday matinee.

 

retuning:

Choreography:
Jolene Bailie

Lighting:
Hugh Conacher

Original Sound:
Emma Hendrix

Costumes:
Megan LaTouche

Stage Manager:
Ridge Romanishen

Dancers:
Carol-Ann Bohrn, Reymark Capacete, Julious Gambalan, Andrés Felipe Jiménez Mejia, Shawn Maclaine, Warren McClelland, Shayla Rudd

Photo(above):
Photo: Leif Norman Dancer: Reymark Capacete

Jolene Bailie

Click for Bio

Jolene Bailie

Choreographer

Jolene Bailie is a choreographer, director and producer of contemporary dance. Her work reflects on humanness, soul and self-discovery to express a deeply human experience that is honest, complex and thorough.

Producing shows annually since 2000, Bailie has created 13 full-length works, 30+ shorter works and toured her work to national and international critical acclaim. Her work has been presented on over 500 occasions and in various venues locally, nationally, internationally and online – including theatres, museums, art galleries, outdoors, festivals, site specific, and for video.

Select credits: Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers (2006 and 2019-present), Today Art Museum (Beijing), Xi’an Art Museum (Xi’an), Joyce SoHo’s Inbound Festival (NYC), Performance Mix Festival (NYC), National Gallery of Canada, National Arts Centre’s Prairie Scene, International Solo Dance-Theatre Festival (Stuttgart), in/future (Toronto), Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s New Music Festival, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, collaborative projects with Visual Artist, Wanda Koop, dance: made in Canada, Dancing on the Edge, Femfest, Studio 303, Stream of Dance Festival, Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival, numerous Canadian tours, 216 fringe festival performances, hundreds of self-produced performances, and online.

Appointed Artistic Director of WCD fall 2019, works performed by WCD since appointment include: retuning, in between here and now, Covid Sonata, Body & LightModulationsThe Space In BetweenLast SchemaAnthem and An Aspect of Alterity. Bailie’s choreography has also been presented for Flight Paths, Calibrations of FluxUp Close and disDANCING and Reconnect for WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative and online.

Bailie holds a Masters of Fine Art in Dance through The American Dance Festival/Hollins University, where she focused on choreography, receiving fellowships for three consecutive years and presenting   her thesis performance at The American Dance Festival. Bailie is also the Founding Artistic Director of Gearshifting Performance Works, a company that successfully operated for 19 years, producing full seasons of programming, national and international tours, and premiering over 30 original works.

Bailie’s career began with over a decade of touring solo performance; highlights include performing works by Jose Limon, Anna Sokolow, Marie-Josee Chartier, Joe Laughlin, Denise Clarke, Deborah Dunn, Marc Boivin, Bill Evans and Rachel Browne.

In 2004 her focus began to shift to choreography and then it shifted again in 2009 to focus on creating for an ensemble of dancers. Since 2009, she had mainly created ensemble work.

As an emerging dancer Bailie earned a Teacher’s Certificate with Distinction from The Royal Academy of Dance and a Bachelor of Arts Honors degree and the Gold Medal Award for Academic Excellence from The University of Winnipeg.

Bailie trained at institutions, intensives and with Master Teachers all over North America. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Bailie is also a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers.

Photo by Kristen Sawatsky

X

Hugh Conacher

Click for Bio

Hugh Conacher

Lighting

Hugh Conacher is a lighting and multi-media designer, and a photographer. He has collaborated with choreographers, directors, visual artists, and dance and theatre companies throughout Canada and around the world, in venues large and small. His multi-disciplinary process, the foundation of which is over 30 years as a lighting designer, straddles the worlds of lighting design, new media technologies, projection and photography, using whichever media form best serves the vision of the project.

Originally from Toronto, Hugh has a long association with WCD, having worked as Resident Lighting Designer at WCD from 1983-2007, and with WCD Artistic Directors Bill Evans, Tedd Robinson, and Tom Stroud. Hugh was a long time collaborator with WCD founder Rachel Browne, as well as current AD Jolene Bailie, having worked with Bailie on over 450 performances.

Hugh has been a member of the Associated Designers of Canada since 1982 and is a member of l’Association des professionnels des arts de la scène du Québec.

Photo: Leif Norman

X

Emma Hendrix

Click for Bio

Emma Hendrix

Original Sound

Emma is a sound designer, composer and artist focused on creative technology. Through sound, Emma builds visceral and expressive environments that explore the inherent qualities of sounds – particularly field recordings, found sounds, and ‘machine languages’ of everyday things. Emma creates installations, performances and creative experiences as part of Manufacturing Entertainment (manufacturingentertainment.com) with Julie Gendron, and composes for theatre, dance, video, film and new media installations and performances.

This is Emma’s second collaboration with Bailie and WCD, having previously created original sound for in between here and now (2022). Their work can be explored more at emmahendrix.com and at soundcloud.com/emmahendrix

Photo:  Unknown

X

Megan LaTouche

Click for Bio

Megan LaTouche

Costumes

Megan LaTouche is thrilled to be working with WCD this season as it is the first time since the 1980s that she has made costumes for the company. This season Megan also created costumes for WCD’s production of Looking Glass, by Guest Artist Idan Cohen.

In recent years, Megan has been making costumes for Bolero Dance Theatre having learned the art of Spanish dance costume construction from Carmen Cano de Infante. She has also been making costumes for The School of Contemporary Dancers.

Megan LaTouche learned to sew at the young age of 6, and put her sewing skills to good use throughout high school making clothes. She began making costumes for various dance performances in the 1980s. She spent a year in Montreal studying and working for Claire Nadon, who was instrumental in teaching Megan about pattern drafting and operating industrial machines. It was with Claire that she constructed the costumes for the Can-Can, a dance very dear to her heart, and providing her with a lifelong appreciation for ruffles!

Photo: John Gurdebeke

X

Ridge Romanishen

Click for Bio

Ridge Romanishen

Stage Manager

Ridge is a recent graduate from the University of Winnipeg’s Theatre and Film Department with Honors in Stage Management. Ridge loves to be involved in all forms of performing arts and is thrilled to add contemporary dance to his repertoire. Over the pandemic he has been lucky to Stage Manage: Shakespeare’s Will (SIR), TRIGGER WARNING: Cassandra (Sick + Twisted Theatre), In Time (TPM/End of the West Collective) and Dance Spectrum (RWB School). He also Apprentice Stage Managed on Calpurnia (RMTC). Some of Ridge’s other Stage Management credits include Manitoba Underground Opera; Growing Op and It’s Fine, We’re Working on It (Winnipeg Fringe); A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Arcadia (University of Winnipeg). He has worked as Apprentice Stage Manager on Kiss of the Spider Woman (Dry Cold Productions), The Golem’s Might Swing and Narrow Bridge (Winnipeg Jewish Theatre).

photo: Nicholas James Sears

X

Carol-Ann Bohrn

Click for Bio

Carol-Ann Bohrn

Dancer

Carol-Ann grew up in Brandon, Manitoba, WCD performance credits include: retuning, in between here and now, Body & Light, The Space in Between, Modulations, Last Schema, An Aspect of Alterity, and Anthem (all by Jolene Bailie), Begin Again (by Jera Wolfe) and Looking Glass (by Idan Cohen). Carol-Ann also danced in WCD: Class at Home, WCD’s Guest Artist in Residence project with Ralph Escamillan, remixing choreography by Tedd Robinson, and participated in a creative process with Melanie Demers, all for WCD.

Additional: Four seasons and 47 performances with Gearshifting Performance Works (Bailie, Chartier, Browne), By Grand Central Station (PTE), Sick + Twisted Theatre, Odette Heyn, Ming Hon, White Birch Ballet (Williams, Barbuto, Beamish), television commercials, music videos and film. Carol-Ann participated in Cartae Open School (aceartinc) and Foundation Mentorship Program at MAWA, is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers and trained at Ryerson University and RWB’s Teacher Training Program.

Photo: Jenna Wilder

X

Reymark Capacete

Click for Bio

Reymark Capacete

Dancer

Reymark Capacete performs in retuning after recently making his debut with WCD in in between here and now (also by Bailie).

Versed in many styles of dance, he first developed his dancing through watching Hip-Hop YouTube videos. In high school, he found his love for dance which led him to The School of Contemporary Dancers, from which he is a graduate. Through SCD, Reymark had the opportunity to dance at the Stream of Dance Festival in Regina (in work by Robin Poitras) and in works by many renowned choreographers.

Reymark is grateful and appreciative for all the opportunities he’s had and continues to receive to work with such amazing and different teachers and choreographers. Reymark also dances with NAfro Dance Productions and Chai Folk Ensemble.

Photo: Reymark Capacete

X

Julious Gambalan

Click for Bio

Julious Gambalan

Dancer

Julious Gambalan returns to dance with WCD for a third season with WCD with retuning. Previous performance credits for WCD include: in between here and now and Body & Light (also by Bailie).  Julious also danced in WCD’s Guest Artist in Residence research project with Ralph Escamillan, remixing choreography by Tedd Robinson; in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative shows Calibrations of Flux and Up Close and disDANCING; and previously for Verge: Remembering Rachel Browne. Born in Winnipeg, Julious is a 2020 graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers and has a BA Honours in Dance (2020), and a BSC (2016). Through SCD, Julious had the opportunity to tour to the Stream of Dance Festival in Regina, New Blue Festival in Toronto and internationally to Vienna, Austria. Julious also performs with NAfro Dance Productions.

photo: Mark Dela Cruz

X

Andrés Felipe Jiménez Mejia

Click for Bio

Andrés Felipe Jiménez Mejia

Dancer

Andres made his WCD debut in Bailie’s in between here and now (2022) and recently performed with WCD for Looking Glass by Guest Artist, Idan Cohen (2023). Andres previously danced in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative for three seasons, performing the shows Up Close and DisDANCING, Reconnect and Flight Paths and in the works Covid Sonata, Aspects of Alterity, Dancing through Uncertainty, The Space In Between and Proximity (all by Bailie).

Andres comes to Winnipeg from Bogota, Colombia. Moving to Winnipeg to train at The School of Contemporary Dancers, from which he is a recent graduate.  Through SCD, Andres had the opportunity to dance at the Stream of Dance Festival in Regina (in works by Jolene Bailie and Robin Poitras) and in works by many renowned choreographers.  As an independent dancer, Andres performed at Manitoba 150 in choreography by Stephan Azulay.  Andres dances because he believes “…it is the best way to get into people’s souls.”

Photo: Carley Hungerford

X

Shawn Maclaine

Click for Bio

Shawn Maclaine

Dancer

Shawn Maclaine was born in Halifax and grew up in Toronto. Performance credits for WCD include: retuning, in between here and now, Last Schema, Covid Sonata, Body & Light, Anthem (all by Bailie), Looking Glass (by Idan Cohen) and COMMENTARY ON/OFF (by Ming Hon). Shawn also worked with WCD as a Rehearsal Director and Assistant Stage Manager for WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative show, RECONNECT. Previously Shawn danced under the direction of Bailie at Gearshifting Performance Works for 26 performances and in works by Jolene Bailie and Marie-Josee Chartier.

Shawn is a graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers where he performed in projects with Odette Heyn, Gaile Petursson-Hiley, GPS Dance Collective (in Leon, Mexico) and as an emerging dancer for WCD’s Verge. Shawn started training at the National Ballet School’s professional program, where he trained for 4 years. After additional training at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Professional Division, his focus shifted to contemporary dance.

Photo: Fiona Witherell

X

Warren McClelland

Click for Bio

Warren McClelland

Dancer

Warren danced with Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers for the productions: GORGE (2015), For the Turnstiles (2016), As Though I Had Wings (2017) and as an emerging dancer in Verge (2014-2016). Warren returned to WCD in September 2019, and performing the works retuning, in between here and now, Last Schema, Modulations, The Space in Between, Anthem and Body & Light (all by Bailie) and Looking Glass by Idan Cohen.  Warren also worked with WCD as a Rehearsal Director and Assistant Stage Manager for WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative, Flight Paths (2022) and for the Guest Artist in Residence Project with Ralph Escamillan, remixing choreography by Tedd Robinson (2021).

Prior to returning to WCD, Warren danced under the direction of Bailie at Gearshifting Performance Works for 16 performances, in several works, in Winnipeg and on tour. Warren has worked with many choreographers both locally and internationally. Additional credits: Weather Parade Dance Theatre, Alex Elliot and Johanna Riley. Originally from Brandon, Manitoba, Warren is a graduate of the School of Contemporary Dancers.

Photo: Leif Norman

X

Shayla Rudd

Click for Bio

Shayla Rudd

Dancer

Shayla is delighted to be returning to dance with WCD for retuning. Shayla recently performed with WCD for in between here and now (choreography, Jolene Bailie) and previously danced in WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative for three seasons and in the works LostMyriad Beings, Feedback, Bell/Anti-Bell and Dancing through Uncertainty (all by Bailie). Shayla also dances in “WCD: Class at Home 2”, a free online class available for dancers to train at home during the Covid pandemic. Shayla is a graduate from The School of Contemporary Dancers.

Shayla comes to Winnipeg from Oakbank, MB. When we asked her why she dances, she told us, “Because nothing else pushes me physically, mentally, and artistically like dance does!”

Photo: Jasrin Manalo

X

Emerging Artist Initiative: Flight Paths

October 20, 1:30pm
October 21, 7:30pm

Witness an exciting evening of talent as an ensemble of dancers dive deep into themselves and their artistic practice!

The future is bright in our first ticketed performance of the season! Please join us!

WCD’s Emerging Artist Initiative is in partnership with the School of Contemporary Dancers.

Flight Paths:

Choreography:
Jolene Bailie

Additional Rehearsal Director:
Warren McClelland

Dancers:
Justine Erickson, Zeus Gonzales, Aileen Holzrichter, Ellice Kynman, Andrés Jiménez Mejía, Sophie Milord, Anne Neudorf, Thomas Oberlin, Gabriela García Ortiz, Juanita Garzón Parra, Natalie Sluis, Alexis Taylor

Photo (above):
Photo: Leif Norman Dancer: Andrés Felipe Jiménez Mejía

Jolene Bailie

Click for Bio

Jolene Bailie

Photo by Kristen Sawatsky

X

Warren McClelland

Click for Bio

Warren McClelland

Additional Rehearsal Director

Photo by Leif Norman

X

Justine Erickson

Click for Bio

Justine Erickson

Photo: Charles Fernandes

X

Zeus Gonzales

Click for Bio

Zeus Gonzales

Photo: Xena Gonzales

X

Aileen Holzrichter

Click for Bio

Aileen Holzrichter

Photo: DJ Green

X

Ellice Kynman

Click for Bio

Ellice Kynman

Photo: Alexis Taylor

X

Andrés Felipe Jiménez Mejía

Click for Bio

Andrés Felipe Jiménez Mejía

Photo: Carley Hungerford

X

Sophie Milord

Click for Bio

Sophie Milord

Photo: Courtney Martens

X

Anne Neudorf

Click for Bio

Anne Neudorf

Photo: Brittney Leitner

X

Thomas Oberlin

Click for Bio

Thomas Oberlin

Photo: Jordan Pimentel

X

Gabriela García Ortiz

Click for Bio

Gabriela García Ortiz

Photo: Citlali Hernandez

X

Juanita Garzón Parra

Click for Bio

Juanita Garzón Parra

Photo: Leif Norman

X

Natalie Sluis

Click for Bio

Natalie Sluis

Photo: Courtney Maertens

X

Alexis Taylor

Click for Bio

Alexis Taylor

Photo: Ellice Kynman

X