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Arts & Entertainment

Dances for a Small Stage: dance as art

Bekah Seagle - Omega Contributor

Vancouver is a city known for its love of the arts and diversity, and this shines through clearly with the Dances for a Small Stage performances. This June will be the 22nd showcase of Dances for a Small Stage in Vancouver and will take place over 3 nights starting June 16. Dances for a Small Stage has been produced by the production company MovEnt since 2002 on stages as small as 10 x 13 feet. As the buzz for Dances for a Small Stage grew, so did the need for a larger venue. “The very first venue was really tiny,” said artistic producer Julie-Anne Saroyan. “We decided we were turning too many people away, [so] we changed venues...and then we outgrew, and changed again. We get sold out and then have to turn people away.” But the smaller and more casual venue is part of the appeal. The series of performances are known for combining contemporary dance and closed environments, creating a more intimate and raw atmosphere. Reducing the distance that separates the audience and the performers facilitates the formation of a more powerful connection to both the dancers and the content. “It makes people unafraid to come and see dance,” said Saroyan. “It’s a good entry point...you can bring a date, sit down to watch and have a beer. All the choreographers have taken the informality into account. It’s kind of like if the audience were to sit on stage with the dancers...they can see the blood, sweat and tears from up close.” Dances for a Small Stage 22 will feature choreographers from the international stage, including German choreographer Farley Johansson, USA choreographers Cherice Barton, who is part of the team for the upcoming Spider-Man musical, and Lauri Stallings, who recently finished production on a music video for artist Heather Johnson. Which isn’t to say that Canadian talent won’t be featured: Gioconda Barbuto, Margie Gillis, Donald Sales, Cori Caulfield, and Edmond Kilpatrick will be lending their experience and skills to the production. But what makes this year truly unique is that it is the first time that Dances for a Small Stage will partner with BC Ballet. “In the past we’ve invited individual artists...it’s different with a company,” said Saroyan. “It feels a lot different. [They’re] certainly more focused...[and] comfortable with each other. It makes the show a lot more cohesive.” The show will feature a composed piece from each of the eight choreographers each just under ten minutes. Each choreographer has incorporated their own experiences and individually tailored the dances said Saroyan. Margie Gillis has created a solo piece for one of the dancers that is more contemporary. Cherice Barton has created a vaudeville-esque number that hearkens to the days of Charlie Chaplin and the art of cabaret. “A lot of the pieces are playing with humour,” Saroyan said. “It is not a classically based show.” Which, for an audience that loves diversity, is the appeal.