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National Creation Fund: An Even Better Hockey Sweater
November 13, 2018In the fall of 2017, the Segal Centre for the Performing Arts in Montreal premiered The Hockey Sweater, a musical based on the iconic story by Roch Carrier. Featuring a cast of 17, the show was a hit with audiences and critics. But the creators believed it could be even better. “If the show…
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Renewing the NAC’s Performance Halls and Production Facilities
July 3, 2018A few hours after the artists performing at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award left the Southam Hall stage, construction workers began work on a project that will dramatically improve the NAC’s performance halls and production facilities. Much of the NAC’s production equipment is…
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Celebrating International Dance Day
April 29, 2018In late April, the Thorsteinson Glass Staircase transformed into an impromptu stage to the delight of the people gathered there for lunch. The beautiful wooden staircase provided excellent sound for Canadian tap virtuoso Danny Nielsen’s snazzy white tap shoes while contemporary dancer Shay…
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15 X AT NIGHT: Dance in the urban landscape
July 10, 2017Choreographer Paul-André Fortier discusses why he created a dance performance for the outdoors. "Dancing outdoors is a completely different experience from performing on stage." explains Fortier. "On stage, you’re somewhat removed. You try to conceal the effort involved. But in this…
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Panel Discussion on Creation and Collaboration through ENCOUNT3RS
May 5, 2017In this bilingual panel discussion on Creation and Collaboration that preceded the world premiere of ENCOUNT3RS (April 20-22, 2017), animator Catherine Clark speaks with the six Canadian artists involved in this historic NAC dance-music commission celebrating Canada 150. Following a…
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Interview with choreographer Bill Coleman
April 6, 2017“When Accidents Happen, You’re Very Attentive” – Bill Coleman navigates through difficulty in Dollhouse, a dance production presented at the NAC’s Canada Scene Festival in partnership with the Canada Dance Festival on July 15. The NAC’s Canada Scene has a specific focus on contemporary…
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ENCOUNT3RS: Three world premieres in one performance
March 24, 2017Creation is at the core of the National Arts Centre. “One of the key things we’re trying to celebrate all the time is our Canadian artists,” says Cathy Levy, Executive Producer of NAC Dance. ENCOUNT3RS is a landmark NAC Commission that pairs three of Canada’s outstanding choreographic…
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NAC Dance outreach gives students an incredible experience
November 21, 2016“When you’re sitting in Southam Hall and looking at the artists who breathe life into your soul, you should know you had a hand in bringing those feet up on stage.” Erika Mills, Dance Teacher, École secondaire publique De La Salle It’s a Friday night in April and the NAC Theatre is at…
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Q & A: Siôned Watkins – NAC Dance Education Associate and Teaching...
November 15, 2016Q. What is dance education about? A. It’s about inspiring and encouraging brain and body development through movement. Q. Your workshops reached more than 1,500 students and teachers last season. What’s excited you the most? A. Last January I organized workshops with over 450 Indigenous…
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ENCOUNT3RS: a collaborative project with choreographer Emily Molnar
August 9, 2016Choreographer Emily Molnar's relationship with the National Arts Centre began when she first danced on stage with the National Ballet of Canada. She was seventeen years old. Now Artistic Director of Ballet BC, Molnar is one of three Canadian choreographers who have been commissioned by…
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Choreographer Jean Grand-Maître speaks about ENCOUNT3RS
June 28, 2016ENCOUNT3RS is a landmark NAC commission that pairs three of Canada’s outstanding choreographic talents with three of the country’s most exciting composers. “It's been one of the most fascinating commissions so far in my life,” says choreographer Jean Grand Maître. Finding the right…
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Frédérick Gravel explains why ‘Usually Beauty Fails’
May 19, 2016Frédérick Gravel is a philosopher searching for beauty using the language of dance. "My idea of beauty is constructed by the era, the society, the media." It is an ideal that Gravel finds himself constantly evaluating and re-imagining in his acclaimed work Usually Beauty Fails. Gravel…
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Choreographer Mélanie Demers provides 3 words that describe her work
May 5, 2016Choreographer Mélanie Demers provides the viewer with three words to describe her work: combat, débat and ébat (combat, debate and romp or lovemaking). "They have a lot of meaning for me, they’re a kind of summary of the way I interact with the world." Demers’ studies in literature, dance…
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Moh Faris and Family Donate $1 Million to National Arts Centre in...
April 25, 2016The National Arts Centre Foundation is honoured to announce a generous gift of $1 million from Mohammed (Moh) Faris and his family in honour of the late Yulanda Faris. Wife of Moh and mother of three daughters, Yulanda – who died at the age of 77 on April 23, 2015 – was a passionate…
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Rendez-vous à l’hôtel: dance in intimate spaces
March 9, 2016The Canada Dance Festival pushes the boundaries of dance as an art form and audiences can once again look forward to a unique and diverse program in 2016. Among the highlights is Montreal's La 2e Porte à Gauche, a creative collective that focuses on collaboration. Their works bring together…
