Artist Feature:
Marie France Forcier
The Artistic Director of Forcier Stage Works, Marie France Forcier is a choreographer, performer and writer. First introduced to dance at a young age, she earned two DEC degrees (Dance and Sociology majors) in her native Montréal before moving to Toronto, where she completed her conservatory training at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre in 2005 and her Master of Fine Arts in Dance at York University in 2014.
Her body of choreographic work has been commissioned by dance festivals, professional training schools, independent dance artists, film-makers and youth theatres across Canada, in the USA, France, China and India.
Recent Canadian commissions include works for Kinetic Studio (Halifax),Studio 303 (Montréal), Correspondanse (Québec City), L’École de Danse de Québec (Québec City), KOBA Entertainment (Winnipeg), Judith Marcusse (Vancouver), ROMP! (Victoria), the York Dance Ensemble and Anandam Dancetheatre (Toronto). Most recently, she signed the choreography in director Elif Izikozlu’s short film “Two”, which premiered at the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival and was subsequently presented in Canada, Turkey and Japan.
As an independent producer, Forcier generated Nucleus (2007), Passageways to Diluted Happiness (2008), Dora nominated Facts of Influence (2010) and twice Dora nominated, once recipient Lab Rats (2013). Upcoming productions include Forcier/Norman, a shared program featuring her own choreography alongside Toronto-based Tracey Norman’s, scheduled to premiere in March 2015 in collaboration with DanceWorks Mainstage/ Harbourfront Centre.
As a physical performer, she has worked for various companies and toured extensively on four continents in disciplines including aerial circus, photography, film, family theatricals and dance.
Forcier serves as the co-artistic director of Hub 14, a Toronto based arts incubator catering to independent movement-based practitioners. She is a contributor to the magazine The Dance Current, and is a WDA, CADA, Dance Ontario and DTRC member.
A Lawrence W. Heisey awardee, her research on the Post-Traumatic Lens in Contemporary Choreography will be published by Inter-Disciplinary Press in 2015. She plans on resuming her graduate research at the doctorate level in the near future.
Marie France Forcier
Artist Feature: Marie France Forcier from hub14 on Vimeo.
The Artistic Director of Forcier Stage Works, Marie France Forcier is a choreographer, performer and writer. First introduced to dance at a young age, she earned two DEC degrees (Dance and Sociology majors) in her native Montréal before moving to Toronto, where she completed her conservatory training at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre in 2005 and her Master of Fine Arts in Dance at York University in 2014.
Her body of choreographic work has been commissioned by dance festivals, professional training schools, independent dance artists, film-makers and youth theatres across Canada, in the USA, France, China and India.
Recent Canadian commissions include works for Kinetic Studio (Halifax),Studio 303 (Montréal), Correspondanse (Québec City), L’École de Danse de Québec (Québec City), KOBA Entertainment (Winnipeg), Judith Marcusse (Vancouver), ROMP! (Victoria), the York Dance Ensemble and Anandam Dancetheatre (Toronto). Most recently, she signed the choreography in director Elif Izikozlu’s short film “Two”, which premiered at the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival and was subsequently presented in Canada, Turkey and Japan.
As an independent producer, Forcier generated Nucleus (2007), Passageways to Diluted Happiness (2008), Dora nominated Facts of Influence (2010) and twice Dora nominated, once recipient Lab Rats (2013). Upcoming productions include Forcier/Norman, a shared program featuring her own choreography alongside Toronto-based Tracey Norman’s, scheduled to premiere in March 2015 in collaboration with DanceWorks Mainstage/ Harbourfront Centre.
As a physical performer, she has worked for various companies and toured extensively on four continents in disciplines including aerial circus, photography, film, family theatricals and dance.
Forcier serves as the co-artistic director of Hub 14, a Toronto based arts incubator catering to independent movement-based practitioners. She is a contributor to the magazine The Dance Current, and is a WDA, CADA, Dance Ontario and DTRC member.
A Lawrence W. Heisey awardee, her research on the Post-Traumatic Lens in Contemporary Choreography will be published by Inter-Disciplinary Press in 2015. She plans on resuming her graduate research at the doctorate level in the near future.
Artist Feature:
Kelly Morden
Kelly Morden is an emerging independent dance teacher and dancer currently teaching and creating in Toronto. Kelly has a strong desire to teach and create dance that is easily accessible, affordable and inclusive for all families and audiences throughout Toronto. Kelly provides a unique and patient approach to working with children of all backgrounds and abilities. Kelly enjoys creating a sense of community by bringing people together through dance while celebrating the uniqueness each individual shares. Her classes are inclusive, motivating and challenging while assisting self- expression through movement, music, and dance technique. Kelly provides a safe and positive learning environment which encourages participants to build healthy relationships with their classmates and their bodies. Kelly is dedicated to working closely with children from diverse families and welcomes kids of all levels and physical abilities. Kelly believes all children should be given the equal right to learn and participate in artistic programming. Dance with Kelly is a proud partner of the children’s charityReady, Set, Play, providing numerous opportunities for children to participate in dance classes each season.
Kelly was fortunate to be given the opportunity to study dance from a young age. She has successfully completed C.D.T.A. Jazz exams grades 1-4 and R.A.D. Ballet exams grades 1-Intermediate. In high school, Kelly began working with children at her local community centre and assisting ballet classes at her local dance school. Kelly graduated from George Brown College in Dance Performance Preparation(2005) and Dance Performance Studies(2008). In 2011, Kelly graduated from York University with a BFA Hons. in Dance.
Kelly as a strong performance background and has performed with many choreographers. Some of those include, Kathleen Rea, Ray Hog, Monica Dottor, Svea Eklof. Kelly has performed at the Sean O’ Sullivan Theatre, David S. Howes Theatre, The Betty Oliphant Theatre, Toronto Center for the Arts, Young Center for the Performing Arts, George Ignatieff Theatre as well as many public site specific places around the city. Kelly co-created and performed in Sunday(2008) at the Rivoli. Kelly Performed with Company Blonde Dance projects in Ruby Venus(2010). Under the direction of Megan Andrews, Kelly danced in several installations performed at York University’s Vari Hall. She later became involved in a monthly site-specific performance group across Toronto, Intersection Projects(2011). She danced in For the Green(2011) in Nuit Blanche, choreographed by Anna Stanuz. She also performed in Darcy Callison’s production of Down the Road(2011), and works cited(2011) created by Amelia Ehrhardt . Kelly performed in Pluto’s Revenge(2012)with Ten Toes Dance Company in the Bloor Street Festival and Toronto Fringe Festival. In 2013, She performed in a site specific dance installation in Labspace Studio’s Nomad Noise Project(2013) under the direction of Aria Evans. She contributed as writer and editor for Mergezine; a zine for emerging dance artists until it’s hiatus in 2012. Since then, she has co-founded The Research Exchange; a collective that provides space and support for people involved in the performing arts to research and develop their creative voice free from judgement or expectations.
Kelly is thrilled to be sharing her love and knowledge of dance with the people of Toronto. She hopes to continue on this path of teaching and creating while proudly supporting dance for young audiences in the future.
**Kelly has 12 years of experience working with children.
**First Aid & CPR Certified, Standard Police Check, High Five Certified.
Kelly Morden
hub14 Artist Feature: Kelly Morden from hub14 on Vimeo.
Kelly Morden is an emerging independent dance teacher and dancer currently teaching and creating in Toronto. Kelly has a strong desire to teach and create dance that is easily accessible, affordable and inclusive for all families and audiences throughout Toronto. Kelly provides a unique and patient approach to working with children of all backgrounds and abilities. Kelly enjoys creating a sense of community by bringing people together through dance while celebrating the uniqueness each individual shares. Her classes are inclusive, motivating and challenging while assisting self- expression through movement, music, and dance technique. Kelly provides a safe and positive learning environment which encourages participants to build healthy relationships with their classmates and their bodies. Kelly is dedicated to working closely with children from diverse families and welcomes kids of all levels and physical abilities. Kelly believes all children should be given the equal right to learn and participate in artistic programming. Dance with Kelly is a proud partner of the children’s charityReady, Set, Play, providing numerous opportunities for children to participate in dance classes each season.
Kelly was fortunate to be given the opportunity to study dance from a young age. She has successfully completed C.D.T.A. Jazz exams grades 1-4 and R.A.D. Ballet exams grades 1-Intermediate. In high school, Kelly began working with children at her local community centre and assisting ballet classes at her local dance school. Kelly graduated from George Brown College in Dance Performance Preparation(2005) and Dance Performance Studies(2008). In 2011, Kelly graduated from York University with a BFA Hons. in Dance.
Kelly as a strong performance background and has performed with many choreographers. Some of those include, Kathleen Rea, Ray Hog, Monica Dottor, Svea Eklof. Kelly has performed at the Sean O’ Sullivan Theatre, David S. Howes Theatre, The Betty Oliphant Theatre, Toronto Center for the Arts, Young Center for the Performing Arts, George Ignatieff Theatre as well as many public site specific places around the city. Kelly co-created and performed in Sunday(2008) at the Rivoli. Kelly Performed with Company Blonde Dance projects in Ruby Venus(2010). Under the direction of Megan Andrews, Kelly danced in several installations performed at York University’s Vari Hall. She later became involved in a monthly site-specific performance group across Toronto, Intersection Projects(2011). She danced in For the Green(2011) in Nuit Blanche, choreographed by Anna Stanuz. She also performed in Darcy Callison’s production of Down the Road(2011), and works cited(2011) created by Amelia Ehrhardt . Kelly performed in Pluto’s Revenge(2012)with Ten Toes Dance Company in the Bloor Street Festival and Toronto Fringe Festival. In 2013, She performed in a site specific dance installation in Labspace Studio’s Nomad Noise Project(2013) under the direction of Aria Evans. She contributed as writer and editor for Mergezine; a zine for emerging dance artists until it’s hiatus in 2012. Since then, she has co-founded The Research Exchange; a collective that provides space and support for people involved in the performing arts to research and develop their creative voice free from judgement or expectations.
Kelly is thrilled to be sharing her love and knowledge of dance with the people of Toronto. She hopes to continue on this path of teaching and creating while proudly supporting dance for young audiences in the future.
**Kelly has 12 years of experience working with children.
**First Aid & CPR Certified, Standard Police Check, High Five Certified.
Artist Feature:
Kate Alton
Kate Alton is a Toronto-‐based dancer and choreographer. She was a featured member of Toronto Dance Theatre from 1989-‐95, leaving in that year to pursue an independent career. Since then she has worked with numerous renowned choreographers from across Canada and beyond. In 1998, Alton formed Overall Dance, a company mandated to showcase her own choreography and to bring a wide range of choreographers – from Toronto, from Canada and from abroad – to work with Toronto's finest independent dancers. Her Toronto shows with Overall Dance presented an exciting and innovative range of material, receiving tremendous support from the public and critics alike. Her touring programs brought dance to Guelph, Hamilton, Montreal, Peterborough, and Vancouver, as well as to the Blyth Festival, the Canada Dance Festival in Ottawa, and Festival Danse en Vol in Brussels, Belgium. In 2004 Alton won a Harold Award and the K.M. Hunter Artist's Award in Dance. In 2006 her renamed company Crooked Figure Dances presented its first show DESPAIR …and other conundrums to critical acclaim.
Highlights from the last decade include performing James Kudelka's masterworks In Paradisum and 15 Heterosexual Duets for Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie in Canada, China, Mongolia, and the United States; choreography and performance in firstthingsfirst productions' sell-‐out shows Namesake and Namesake:Three; and Associate Direction and Choreography for The Exchange Rate Collective's Dora award winning show Appetite. Kate is choreographer and co-‐creator/director with Ross Manson of the critically acclaimed dance and sound poetry production The Four Horsemen Project, which garnered four Dora Mavor Moore awards including Best Direction by Alton and Manson, toured nationally and internationally, and which will enjoy a remount at Soulpepper this fall.
Over the past year, Kate created a new duet for Andrea Nann & Brendan Wyatt for the 2013 edition of Dreamwalker Dance’s The Whole Shebang, danced with Dance Theatre David Earle, and performed with Luke Garwood in for me?, a commissioned duet by Heidi Strauss at the SummerWorks Theatre Festival. Most recently Kate’s piece El Tiempo Vuela for the 2014 Grads of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre was performed at the 2014 Canada Dance Festival. Kate is the proud and happy single Mom of toddling twins Eleanor & Luca.
Kate Alton
hub14 Artist Feature: Kate Alton from hub14 on Vimeo.
Kate Alton is a Toronto-‐based dancer and choreographer. She was a featured member of Toronto Dance Theatre from 1989-‐95, leaving in that year to pursue an independent career. Since then she has worked with numerous renowned choreographers from across Canada and beyond. In 1998, Alton formed Overall Dance, a company mandated to showcase her own choreography and to bring a wide range of choreographers – from Toronto, from Canada and from abroad – to work with Toronto's finest independent dancers. Her Toronto shows with Overall Dance presented an exciting and innovative range of material, receiving tremendous support from the public and critics alike. Her touring programs brought dance to Guelph, Hamilton, Montreal, Peterborough, and Vancouver, as well as to the Blyth Festival, the Canada Dance Festival in Ottawa, and Festival Danse en Vol in Brussels, Belgium. In 2004 Alton won a Harold Award and the K.M. Hunter Artist's Award in Dance. In 2006 her renamed company Crooked Figure Dances presented its first show DESPAIR …and other conundrums to critical acclaim.
Highlights from the last decade include performing James Kudelka's masterworks In Paradisum and 15 Heterosexual Duets for Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie in Canada, China, Mongolia, and the United States; choreography and performance in firstthingsfirst productions' sell-‐out shows Namesake and Namesake:Three; and Associate Direction and Choreography for The Exchange Rate Collective's Dora award winning show Appetite. Kate is choreographer and co-‐creator/director with Ross Manson of the critically acclaimed dance and sound poetry production The Four Horsemen Project, which garnered four Dora Mavor Moore awards including Best Direction by Alton and Manson, toured nationally and internationally, and which will enjoy a remount at Soulpepper this fall.
Over the past year, Kate created a new duet for Andrea Nann & Brendan Wyatt for the 2013 edition of Dreamwalker Dance’s The Whole Shebang, danced with Dance Theatre David Earle, and performed with Luke Garwood in for me?, a commissioned duet by Heidi Strauss at the SummerWorks Theatre Festival. Most recently Kate’s piece El Tiempo Vuela for the 2014 Grads of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre was performed at the 2014 Canada Dance Festival. Kate is the proud and happy single Mom of toddling twins Eleanor & Luca.
Artist Feature:
Craig Chambers
Craig Chambers is a film, video and digital media artist living in Toronto. Over the last 15 years, Craig has been a part of award-‐winning programs, numerous collaborative artistic projects, and worked on some of the highest rated Canadian television shows. He has been employed by CTV/The Sports Network since 1999 where he is currently a field producer, and has also worked as a writer and story editor. Craig holds a diploma in Broadcast Communications. In conjunction with his work in television, Craig maintains a practice of collaborating with performing artists, as well as leading his own creative projects. He recently debuted his first documentary at festivals in Toronto and London. As a photographer, Craig’s images have appeared in national publications, as well as marketing and promotional materials.
Craig Chambers
Vākənt photography exhibit - trailer from 723 Television on Vimeo.
Craig Chambers is a film, video and digital media artist living in Toronto. Over the last 15 years, Craig has been a part of award-‐winning programs, numerous collaborative artistic projects, and worked on some of the highest rated Canadian television shows. He has been employed by CTV/The Sports Network since 1999 where he is currently a field producer, and has also worked as a writer and story editor. Craig holds a diploma in Broadcast Communications. In conjunction with his work in television, Craig maintains a practice of collaborating with performing artists, as well as leading his own creative projects. He recently debuted his first documentary at festivals in Toronto and London. As a photographer, Craig’s images have appeared in national publications, as well as marketing and promotional materials.
Artist Feature:
LINK & PIN
LINK & PIN is a brand new performance series in Toronto, Ontario. It is supported through hub14's Community Chest program and curated by Adriana Disman. The series will encompass five events held every two months from October 2013- May 2014.
Focused on performance art but presenting a vast range of interdisciplinary work, LINK & PIN turns the usual “evening of performance” on its head by presenting work on Sunday afternoons. Perfectly post-brunch, daytime performance events allow for a different kind of energy and attention with which to share and receive the work.
Generally lo-tech/no-tech, LINK & PIN places focus on bodies in space. The series strives to continuously change models and structures through which it runs.
With the intention of fostering links in the interdisciplinary arts community, most events are followed by a Discussion Forum. Pointedly not an artists’ talk, Forums will open space for the artists and the public to engage in conversation about the work while sharing tea and (topical) dessert.
The discussion will continue on LINK & PIN’s blog, where interviews with performers, texts on each event, and community conversation will have a home between events.
LINK & PIN
LINK&PIN; from hub14 on Vimeo.
LINK & PIN is a brand new performance series in Toronto, Ontario. It is supported through hub14's Community Chest program and curated by Adriana Disman. The series will encompass five events held every two months from October 2013- May 2014.
Focused on performance art but presenting a vast range of interdisciplinary work, LINK & PIN turns the usual “evening of performance” on its head by presenting work on Sunday afternoons. Perfectly post-brunch, daytime performance events allow for a different kind of energy and attention with which to share and receive the work.
Generally lo-tech/no-tech, LINK & PIN places focus on bodies in space. The series strives to continuously change models and structures through which it runs.
With the intention of fostering links in the interdisciplinary arts community, most events are followed by a Discussion Forum. Pointedly not an artists’ talk, Forums will open space for the artists and the public to engage in conversation about the work while sharing tea and (topical) dessert.
The discussion will continue on LINK & PIN’s blog, where interviews with performers, texts on each event, and community conversation will have a home between events.
Residencies 2013/2014
Launchpad
Gein Wong
Launchpad
Molly Johnson and Sabina Perry
…and the draw for 20 hours of space goes to Robert Abubo!
2011/2012
INCUBATOR RESIDENCY
Andrea Spaziani
LEGUP
bluemouth inc.
Showing • Wednesday Dec 18, at The Drama Centre's rehearsal space at 214 College Street (corner of College and St. George)
LEGUP
Yves Candau
LIVE-IN
Amy Kubanek
Wednesday Dec 19th 5 pm at hub14
Community Chest
Jo Leslie
Take Two
series 808
…and the draw for 20 hours of space goes to Chris Hanratty!
2010/2011
Julia Male: Emerging Incubator Residency
Gerry Trentham: Established Incubator Residency
Heather Hermant: Leg-Up Residency
Erica Mott (Chicago, USA): Live-In Residency
Toronto Dance Community Love-In: Community Chest
Alliance of Independent Mid-Career Dance Creators-Toronto: Community Chest
A Month of Sundays/Aimée Dawn Robinson: Community Chest
I’m Not Okay, and Neither Are You/Allison Cummings & Coman Poon: Community Chest
2009/2010
Jessica Runge: Incubator Residency
Meryem Alaoui: Leg-Up Residency
Julia Male: Emerging Incubator Residency
Gerry Trentham: Established Incubator Residency
Heather Hermant: Leg-Up Residency
Erica Mott (Chicago, USA): Live-In Residency
Toronto Dance Community Love-In: Community Chest
Alliance of Independent Mid-Career Dance Creators-Toronto: Community Chest
A Month of Sundays/Aimée Dawn Robinson: Community Chest
I’m Not Okay, and Neither Are You/Allison Cummings & Coman Poon: Community Chest
2009/2010
Jessica Runge: Incubator Residency
Meryem Alaoui: Leg-Up Residency