Salience features the World Premiere of The thoughts drawn by London-based choreographer Olivier Coëffard. Olivier's first ever creation for CCDT explores the transformation of past trauma into strength, showcasing a journey of resilience. Company dancer Tessa Ziemba Lee reflects on the creation process and bringing The thoughts drawn to the stage. Rehearsal photo by Francesca Chudnoff. I glide past fragments of what I left behind, edging towards something greater. I am not without doubts, splinters of shame and disbelief weighing me down. Yet I am pushed into my future, breath entering my lu ..read more

Jennifer Archibald's BYTIYE showcases Archibald's signature eclectic blend of classical ballet, contemporary, and street dance, executed with exacting precision, high-energy ferocity and athleticism. Company dancer Madison Costa reflects on the process of remounting this piece before its upcoming return to the stage. The view of BYTIYE from backstage on CCDT's recent Northern Ontario tour. The process of remounting BYTIYE has gone by so quickly. Since the first casting audition, I knew that this piece was very fitting for our current company. The intricate partner work combined with strong ba ..read more

After a three year-long tour hiatus, the artists of Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre embarked this April on a tour through Northern Ontario, making stops in Kirkland Lake and Deep River. Company dancer Zachary Seto reflects below on the journey and the unique joys of the tour experience. Thank you to the lovely people at Kirkland Lake Arts Council and THEOP for hosting us, and to all the beautiful audiences who attended our performances. I sit here by my window watching the raindrops resting on the glass and the sun settling in for the day. I’ve just arrived back home, and find myself feel ..read more

Willem Sadler is a 19-year-old freelance artist based in Toronto, currently in his second season as a performing Guest Artist with CCDT. For this year's production of WinterSong, Willem also took on the key role of assisting with the restaging of sagittarius, meet capricorn, Rodney Diverlus' vibrant and upbeat 2021 commission in which Willem was an original cast dancer. Willem shares how his relationship to and appreciation for jazz dance and Rodney's choreography has evolved since the fall of 2021, and how the work has given Willem the opportunity to learn and grow as an emerging professional ..read more

In the fall of 2020, with Covid-19 keeping CCDT and performers worldwide out of theatres, choreographer Alyssa Martin planted the initial seeds for a new WinterSong creation about magical, otherworldly beings coming together in a ritual of self-discovery on the longest night of the year. Following that early exploration (which was cut short by pandemic shutdowns), last season saw a return to in-depth creation processes for CCDT and thus the fully realized stage premiere of STAR SEED in December 2021. Company member Marie-Elena LeBlanc Bellissimo, the only remaining dancer from the original 202 ..read more

WinterSong 2022 features the world premiere of THAW by California-based choreographer Colin Connor. In his sixth creation for CCDT, the piece sees an ensemble cast of ten dancers transform from frozen to free-flowing; isolated to interconnected. Caitlin Feanny, one of CCDT's newest company members, shares her experience from inside Colin's creative process and the dedicated work that is taking THAW from the studio to the stage. From Left: Madison Costa, Hope Fritz, Caitlin Feanny, Willem Sadler, and Tessa Ziemba Lee in rehearsal for THAW choreographed by Colin Connor. Photo by Drew Berry ..read more

Hope Fritz joined Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre in 2020 as an Apprentice, and is now in her third and final season performing with the company. From first experiencing Nowell as a school matinee audience member in 2019, Hope shares the connection she has cultivated to WinterSong's most beloved work and what it means to dance the featured role of the Mother this year. Hope Fritz in rehearsal with Young Apprentice dancer Lucky Bai. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Nowell Sing We, choreographed by Carol Anderson, is a joyous piece filled with gorgeous ..read more

After a year of surprises, letdowns, and excitement not only for the dance community but for the world, Gravity’s Edge has been the driving force keeping me humbled and happy. COVID-19 has not been easy for anyone. After the year that CCDT faced with its first ever online classes and performances, having the opportunity to dance with each other in the beautiful pieces set to be shown very soon was the highlight of my year. It was the reminder which gave me hope that dance is still an art form that allows us to be with each other, and to communicate on a level that is unmatched. The Gift chore ..read more

Daniela Jezerinac is a Montreal-based artist and dancer with RUBBERBANDance Group. She was a member of CCDT from 2012-2015, performing the dances of a multitude of esteemed choreographers with captivating prowess. Dani took part in of some of CCDT's most memorable performances including an exclusive presentation at the Arts & Letters Club of Toronto, several outdoor shows for thousands of audience members at Harbourfront Centre's Concert Stage, and overseas at Glasgow's Tramway for the inaugural Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival. From Mississauga and Toronto to New York and now Montreal ..read more

Julian Nichols is from Mississauga, ON and was a member of CCDT during his final high school years as a dance major at Cawthra Park Secondary School. He originated roles in CCDT works by choreographers including Colin Connor, Santee Smith, Alexander Whitley, and Deborah Lundmark, and enjoyed numerous Ontario tours throughout his two seasons with the company. Since then, his dancing has taken him farther afield to Montreal, New York, Taiwan, and now London, England where he currently resides. Julian is an active member of the London dance community as a performer, teacher, choreographer, and t ..read more