FRONTERA is a new large-scale multimedia dance and music event led by choreographer Dana Gingras.  Set in an audio-synchronized field of light and projection created by UK-based United Visual Artists, ten dancers fearlessly engage in a choreography that will dynamically investigate the universal themes and questions around borders and boundaries.  Newly reformed Montreal band Fly Pan Am will accompany the dancers with a live performance of their commissioned score.

FRONTERA was the first production to be developed through the Centre de Création O Vertigo - CCOV’s long-term residency program, and Dana used this two-year residency to develop a highly-visceral, sensually-charged physical language that is fuelled by a sense of urgency and complexity.

Company

Animals of Distinction, founded in 2006 as a satellite company of The Holy Body Tattoo, is the multi-media dance company of choreographer and dancer Dana Gingras.  The Montreal-based company is at the forefront of contemporary practice, and its cutting-edge works are born from creative collaborations across all mediums and artistic practices, shaped by the possibilities of new technologies and cultural shifts.

Creative team

  • Choreography and Direction by Dana Gingras
  • Visual Concept and Scenography by United Visual Artists
  • Live Music by Fly Pan Am
  • Field Recordings Dave Bryant
  • Stage Management Mylène Caya
  • Dramaturgy Ruth Little
  • Technical Director Jean-François Piché
  • Sound Technician Radwan Ghazi Moumneh
  • Rehearsal Director Sarah Williams
  • Dancers Robert Abubo, Justin de Luna, Lena Demnati, Stacey Desilier, Caroline Gravel, Louise-Michel Jackson, Mark Medrano, Koliane Rochon-Prom Tep, Sovann Rochon-Prom Tep & Lexi Vajda
  • Producer & Agent Sarah Rogers

National Creation Fund investment

The National Creation Fund’s investment of $160,000 make it possible for Dana to fully explore collaborations with UVA and Fly Pan Am, including extended development time with the core group of dancers and the creative team. 

Credits

Executive Producer Centre de Création O Vertigo – CCOV.  Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund. Coproduced by Danse Danse (Montreal), Sydney Festival, CTM Festival (Berlin) & PuSh International Arts Festival (Vancouver). 

Past performances

Presented by Grand Théâtre de Québec Nov 20 2019 Grand Théâtre de Québec (Québec)
Presented by Danse Danse Dec 4 - Dec 7, 2019 Théâtre Maisonneuve (Montreal)
Presented by the Sydney Festival Jan 8 - Jan 12, 2020 Carriageworks (Sydney, Australia)
Presented by the CTM Festival Jan 24 - Jan 25, 2020 Berlin
Presented by the PuSH International Performing Arts Festival Jan 30 2020 Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Vancouver)
Presented by NAC Dance Feb 19 - Feb 20, 2020 Babs Asper Theatre (Ottawa)
Presented by The Arts Center a NYU Abu Dhabi Oct 12 - Oct 13, 2023 The Red Theater, (Abu Dhabi)

Articles & reviews

Sorties_Danse

(Article in French) Dana Gingras réussit avec brio à nous captiver. Une expérience à ne pas manquer!

FRONTERA Review

An exploration of otherness and isolation, as if the act of segregation is in fact a mutually destructive submission.

Le disque par la danse

(Article in French) Fly Pan Am accompagne en tournée la production multimédia FRONTERA de la compagnie Animals of Distinction.