A Montreal-based choreographer with a strong, singular signature, Catherine Gaudet signed her first choreography 20 years ago, in 2004. She went on to receive the Grand Prix de la danse de Montréal in 2022. Over the years, she has collaborated with various artists and companies, contributing to the dynamic dance scene in Canada and beyond. Her works have been presented locally and internationally, notably in Denmark, France, Belgium, Germany and the U.S. She is currently the artistic director and general manager of Compagnie Catherine Gaudet, which is making its NAC debut on November 6 and 7, 2024 with the 2022 work Les jolies choses.
We wanted to get to know Catherine a little better, so we asked her a few questions.
Q: In a nutshell, who is Catherine Gaudet the choreographer?
A: I’ve never been asked that before! On the spur of the moment, I would describe myself as an insatiable seeker of aesthetic shocks that open the door to a broader reality and reveal unsuspected facets of our intimate world.
Q: What’s a fun or unusual fact about yourself that you’d like to share?
A: When I’m creating, when I arrive in the studio, I often ask the performers, “What are we going to do today?” I never have a set plan. I like to think that’s what leaves room for surprise.
Q: You’ve choreographed several pieces. What’s unique about Les jolies choses?
A: Each piece has its own specificity. Les jolies choses is about extremes. It’s an attempt to push to the limit some research I started in 2018 on the insistence of cycles. In Les jolies choses, I wanted these cycles to be overly complex. This gives the piece a tone that is both spare and excessive, which I think heightens the performers’ humanity and the solidarity that unites them.
Q: Can you tell us something about the performers?
A: Each performer in Les jolies choses is unique and demanding, with a vivid imagination and a deep inner world. These are essential requirements for me, as they allow the performers to immerse themselves in the work without compromise. Each performer is also remarkably committed: they strive to surpass themselves, to push their limits. Working with these artists is a privilege, and it motivates me to push myself further as well.
Q: This will be Compagnie Catherine Gaudet’s first visit to Ottawa. How do you feel about that?
A: Very excited to be coming to the NAC at last!
Q: What place or “jolie chose” in Ottawa would you like to visit while you’re here?
A: The National Gallery of Canada. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never been there!
