5
THU. DEC. 13 I 8 PM Celebrate the season with an adventurous musical trip around the world! 2015 JUNO Award nominees Sultans of String deliver an exuberant performance featuring originals, world-music inspired classics, and seasonal favourites to warm your heart on a cold winter’s night. From fiery fiddle tunes to a Caribbean sleigh ride, this surprising and delightful holiday fiesta heats up when Sultans of
6
String bring their signature sound to well-known gems such as Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Jesous Ahatonhia (with gorgeous newly-translated Indigenous lyrics), a Turkish twist on Greensleeves, Silent Night, as well as a Gypsy-jazz inspired Django Christmas. Since forming 10 years ago, Sultans of String have hit #1 across Canada on Top 10 national radio charts, and received multiple
awards and accolades, including 2 JUNO Award nominations, 1st place in the ISC (15,000 entries), and 2 Canadian Folk Music Awards out of 8 nominations. Bandleader and violinist Chris McKhool was recently awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work in creating community through music. When McKhool (who has performed with Jesse Cook and Pavlo), first heard founding guitarist Kevin Laliberté’s (Jesse Cook) rumba rhythm, their musical synergy created Sultans of String’s signature sound – the intimate and playful relationship between violin and guitar. From this rich foundation, the dynamic duo grew, featuring such amazing musical friends bass master Drew Birston (Chantal Kreviazuk), jaw-dropping Cuban percussionist Rosendo Chendy Leon (Parachute Club, Alex Cuba), and guitarist Eddie Paton (Robert Michaels). Sultans of String have been crisscrossing North America for the last several years. Equally at home in a concert series, folk or jazz club, or festival setting, they have been featured at many taste-
making forums such as JUNOFest, legendary jazz club Birdland in NYC, the renowned Celtic Connections Festival in the UK, and California’s hip music scene, including the San Jose Jazz Festival. They recently sold out Koerner Hall, and performed with Toronto, Vancouver, and Edmonton Symphony Orchestras. Sultans of String have performed live on BBC TV, Irish National Radio, and the internationally syndicated shows WoodSongs, and on SiriusXM in Washington DC.
7
Jazz Divas FRI. DEC. 14 I 8 PM
FEATURING ELIANA CUEVAS, BARBRA LICA AND HEADLINER CAROL WELSMAN
ELIANA CUEVAS vocals Jeremy Ledbetter piano Mark Kelso drums Juan Carlos Medrano percussion Marc Rogers bass
10
BARBRA LICA vocals Thomas O’Reilly-Fleming guitars Joel Douglas Visentin keyboards William John Robert Visentin drums Marc Rogers bass
~ INTERMISSION ~ CAROL WELSMAN piano and vocals Mark Kelso drums Ted Quinlin guitar Marc Rogers bass
Carol Welsman is an internationally acclaimed singer and pianist whose expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world. She has sold over 60,000 CDs in Canada alone, something few jazz/pop artists in Canada have experienced. Granddaughter of the founder and first conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Welsman was born with music in her soul. She is fluent in French, Italian and Spanish in addition to her native English, and blends languages (including Portuguese) and rhythms with a versatile repertoire including swing, samba, R & B, pop and jazz. She delivers a mix of American Songbook classics and original compositions in a style that ranges from sensuous and warm to infectiously energetic. She has released 12 CDs to date, with six having received JUNO Award nominations. Eliana Cuevas has grown into an accomplished singer-songwriter and bandleader through years of touring around the world, across Canada, and collaborating with JUNO Award-winning performers. Never having been constrained by genre boxes in her songwriting, drawing freely from jazz, Latin, folk and world music elements, Cuevas drew inspiration from her homeland of Venezuela for her most recent record, Golpes y Flores. She has released 5 albums of original music to date, and her most recent awards include an Independent Music Award for Best Latin Album for ESPEJO (2014) and another Toronto Independent Music Award for Best World Music Artist (2014). Barbra Lica is a JUNO-nominated artist and fast-rising Canadian vocalist and songwriter who has been receiving accolades for a unique approach that
stresses subtlety, grace and storytelling. Based in Toronto, Lica’s live show captivates audiences all over North America with her genuine warmth and confident stage presence. Now a seasoned live act on the Canadian and American club and festival circuits, she consistently performs in intimate spaces and prestigious theatres. She has also headlined at festivals across the continent including Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Vancouver International Jazz Festival and Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. Lica’s debut album That’s What I Do was released to widespread acclaim in 2012, ranking her in Canada’s Top 5 Jazz singers on the CBC, as well Top 5 up-andcoming Toronto jazz artists on blogTO. Lica’s third release and her most personal to date is the 2017 JUNO Award nominated I’m Still Learning. Her vocals are exquisite; there are no theatrics in her singing style – just pure charm. Thematically the album is very much about mistakes, regrets and trying to move on. It covers bad breakups, horrible first dates, explosive crushes on emotionally unavailable people and a lot of trying different things to see how they fit. These are songs from the perspective of the 21st Century woman. As a songwriter, she remains resolutely upbeat and optimistic and her ability to deliver a song with clarity and wit shines through.
11
Markham 1900-2000, Our Past Inspires Our Future The Markham Historical Society has published a new book, Markham 1900-2000, Our Past Inspires Our Future. Documenting Markham’s history from 1900 to 2000, the 264-page living history book contains 425 photos that will be particularly valued by anyone who has lived in Markham any time during the 1900s as they will recognize people, events and places. The book documents the changes that have taken place in Markham over the last century as the population grew from 10,000 to more than 200,000 and changed from an agricultural community to the high-tech capital of Ontario. The history is told through creative writing, personal stories and anecdotal accounts from people like Olympian Bill Crothers. The photographs represent every Markham community.
Community history is presented in themes such as Our Agricultural Roots, Markham Serves and Political Landscape while concluding with a description of our disappearing barns. All proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Markham Museum. The book sells for $30. Visit friendsofmarkhammuseum.ca/book or the museum to pick up a copy.
Rouge: Varley Gala a huge success At their second annual gala fundraiser, on Oct. 11, the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham pulled in more than $100,000. While the event serves as a fundraiser, it also promotes the love of art and culture in the community with the Varley Art Gallery at its core as a vital cultural hub in York Region. The foundation supports the gallery vision in offering outstanding exhibitions, public events, workshops, art camps and curriculum-based educational learning. On view at the Varley Art Gallery, until January 6, is Witness: Canadian Art of the First World War, a travelling exhibition developed by the Canadian War Museum.
The Doubts got the party going at this year’s Varley gala.
Thanks to the support of IBM, admission to the exhibit is free. Visit varleygallery.ca for details.
13
2018 Flato Markham Theatre Advisory Board Mayor Frank Scarpitti, City of Markham Stephen Timms, IBM, Theatre Advisory Board Chair Aleem Israel, AFINA Capital Management Inc. Vice-Chair Eric Fagen, Alectra Utilities Anne Gilligan, Weins Canada Deborah Jestin Diane Lai Ronald Minken, Minken Employment Lawyers Heather Reading Justin Reid, Troilus Gold Corp
Sophia Sun, Phoenix Financial Inc. Shaun Sauve, Metroland Media Srinka Wallia Amy Woods, Allstate Suelyn Cheong, Principal, Unionville High School Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Growth, Culture and Entrepreneurship Eric Lariviere, General Manager
Honourary Patron
Shakir Rehmatullah, President, Flato Developments Inc.
Flato Markham Theatre Team Eric Lariviere, General Manager Scott Hill, Rental Business Manager Andrew Rosenfarb, Production & Facility Manager Lia Baird, Client Services Coordinator Chris MacBride, Theatre Technician/Team Lead Helen Mah, Business Coordinator
Monica Pain, Discovery Program Coordinator Gary Restoule, Theatre Attendant Vince Rotondi, Theatre Technician Linda Stott, Marketing Assistant Terry Tice, Box Office Debbie Watson, Theatre Administrative Clerk
Box Office: 905.305.SHOW (7469) Order tickets online at www.markhamtheatre.ca
House Programme Editor: Nicole Fletcher For advertising rates, call 416-884-4343 or email nicolefletcher@rogers.com
Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of printing.
15
Star Gazers $75 Suzanne & Dave Murphy Hector & Teresa Paz-Soldan John & Rebecca Taylor Ed & Sheryl Taylor Darryl & Gail Thompson Roger Todd Marg & Gord Tonkin Dave & Bonnie Trumphour
Greig & Joan Black Barbara Butterfield Jean Cuthbertson Susan Duncan Frank & Sharon Fazzari John & Cheryl Flint Frank & Patricia Guenther Alberta Hilker Isabel Hirlehey
Mary Jo Turner Evan & Bruce Walden Joan Wilson Paul & Nancy Wood Sami Yam
Shining Stars $125 Barbara Aldridge David & Jo-Anne Blinn Mary Lou Busato Peter Brown & Millean Kung Bill & Judy Carnaghan Jack, Kelly & Judy Chen Denise & Andrew Chong Elizabeth & Harrie Cleveland Erma Collins Ferro Corrente Christine Cozens Jean Cutherbertson Marla David Holo Devani Susanne & Bob Eastwood R J Eberhardt Doug & June Ford
Mary Bell & William Graber Karen L Grimshaw Suraj Gupta, CPA Susan and Winfried Heim Wilma Inkpen Barbara Holmes & Joe Seigel Loretta Hopkins & Robert Silk Rick & Liz Lightfoot Teri & Ron Lyons Gordon & Elaine McInnis Marianne MacBride Ann & Ed Martin Glenda & Ken Metrick Brian, Debbie & Martin Mitgang Robert Moore Dean E. Moratz & Janice E. Franklin
David & Sonja Murphy Sasvart Musliyan James & Joanne Nearing Lissandra & Rogerio Oliveira Brian & Donna Reeve Carol & Bruce Roberts Darius Dubash & Cristy Spencer Jim Stewart Gloria Tellis Their Family John & Michelle Tidball Toscano Technology Inc. Donald Ure Vermeer Engineering Missy Yano
Super Stars $250 Helen & Tim Aubrey Dave & Toinette David & Jo-Anne Blinn Denise & Andrew Chong Bill & Morven Crother Jim & Karen Doak Mary Haffey
Alwyn Enterprises Deborah & Warren Jestin Bryan Katz
Lisette & Michael Harding Jim & Sandy Koteles Carol & Gerald Knowles Ted & Lynda Langdon Fern & Joel Lustig Teri & Ron Lyons Martha & Rena Mingay
David & Sonja Murphy Eva Nagy Ted & Val Pike Trisect Communications & Design Inc. Mr. & Mrs. D Wright
Shooting Stars $500
Michael & Kamal Lee John & Ginger Marchese Jonquil T. Vieira
‌and the many other Anonymous donors Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of printing. If we have misspelled or missed your name in the listing, please call 905-415-7537 ext. 5700
17
WED. DEC. 19 I 8 PM The only tenor group with a truly global audience, The Celtic Tenors will give you a night to remember. Whether playing a neighbourhood cathedral or major concert halls in international cities like New York, Amsterdam or Shanghai, you are assured
22
of a professional, sparkling and most of all, good-humoured performance. They genuinely love what they do and you’ll see that shine through in each rendition of beautiful Celtic songs, exhilarating classics, a capellas and popular contemporary songs.
MATTHEW GILSENAN was born into a hardworking farming family in North Meath, Ireland. Steeped in the local musical traditions and raised by parents who shared a great love for music, from the great composers to obscure Irish folk, he, along with all his siblings was born to sing. Although he has ventured into opera and classical singing, he never lost his love for the music of his youth, in particular, the vibrant contemporary Irish music which is his great source of inspiration. Gilsenan’s busy singing life ran in parallel with his engineering career, but his desire to sing was too strong. So in 1997, he decided to take a six-month sabbatical from engineering and embarked on his singing career. He has never looked back!
JAMES NELSON, f rom Sligo, Ireland, though resident in Baltinglass in West Wicklow, is a BA., B.Mus (Hons) graduate from UCD, and a student of David Harper (UK), Britta Sundberg (Sweden) and Edith Forrest and Dr. Veronica Dunne (Ireland). For 13 years he wrote a column for the “Sligo Weekender” – “Nelson’s Column”. He is also part of an ongoing building project in Kenya, helping give AIDS orphans a second chance at life, building and upgrading their accommodation and education facilities, as well as teaching them music and performing in concerts with the kids. His oratorio repertoire includes over 60 works and he has had more than 50 roles in opera and operetta in venues all across Europe. DARYL SIMPSON B.E.M., from Omagh, Northern Ireland, developed his love of music during schooling at Omagh Academy. In September 1998, he formed the Omagh Community Youth Choir, bringing young people together to promote Peace and Reconciliation through music. OCYC has had unprecedented international success including recording with Lord Lloyd-Webber and appearing on The Royal Variety Show. Their collaboration with, Playing for Change, scored a US Billboard No 10, headlined at Glastonbury Festival and a release of, All You Need is Love. He also plies his skills as an MD, Arranger and Vocal teacher but takes most pride from mentoring and developing young talent for a career in music. The Celtic Tenors, you’ll get more than a performance by world-class artists. You’ll enjoy an evening to savour and a night with tenors who despite their incredible success don’t take themselves too seriously!
23
FRI. DEC. 21 I 8 PM
24
Elvis Presley Steve Michaels Core Band Leader and Lead Guitarist Terry Branagh Keyboard and Synthesizer Chris Dahmer Bass Guitar Neil Nickafor Drums/Percussion Kevin Dempsey Saxophone Alistair Robertson Male Quartet Joseph Goodwin Mark MacRae Bobby Prochaska Kevin Forestell Soprano and Lead Vocalist Cyndi Carleton The Sweets Alana Craigg Patricia Dunn Simone Minott
The Wonderful World of Christmas Graceland Edition is one show that’s sure to become your Christmas favourite. An invitation to spend Christmas with the King of Rock N Roll, the production is even bigger and better than before. Relax, sit back and be transported to Elvis’ Winter Wonderland. Experience a one-of-a-kind show featuring traditional carols with country, gospel, and rock, influences. The Wonderful World of Christmas is a Graceland of wonderment the entire family will enjoy for years to come. The gates of Graceland are open—step into Christmas with us again, again, and again. Thank you, Thank you very much!
ABOUT STEVE MICHAELS Steve Michaels (formerly known as Stephen Michael Kabakos) is an international award-winning tribute artist and actor based out of Milton. His passion for Elvis sparked at a very young age, and has continued to be the drive behind his extraordinary success. His masterful performance and remarkable renditions of the King have garnered him world-wide attention. Michaels has played alongside some of Elvis Presley’s iconic band mates including the legendary drummer DJ Fontana and bassist Jerry Scheff. In addition, he has shared the stage with the smooth gospel sounds of the extraordinary Jordanaires and the soulful voices of the Sweet Inspirations. His exquisite styling and ability to successfully capture an authentic portrayal of Elvis Presley has endeared him to audiences everywhere across Canada, United States, India, Thailand, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Philippines and Australia.
His remarkable portrayal of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s is unparalleled. He was born to play the King. Driven to please his loyal fans, Michaels has created, written, directed and produced each and every show to date. His list includes, Comeback to 68, Aloha, That’s The Way It Was, The Wonderful World of Christmas, Madison Square Garden LIVE, 30 #1 Hits, Million Dollar Tribute, IF I CAN DREAM, Teen Idol to King and Grace To Gloryland. Michaels has consistently played to sold-out audiences everywhere including the world famous Toronto Theatre District. Michaels’ fascinating interpretation, exciting stage presence, authentic costumes, and electrifying charisma ushers in an outstanding performance filled with music, magic, and memories – a show for all ages, a show not to be missed!
25
SAT. DEC. 22 I 2 & 7 PM Adele Gregory Angus Cecilia Joseph Evelyn
28
fiddle, piano, cello, step-dance, vocals fiddle, accordion, piano, step-dance, vocals, percussion fiddle, piano, guitar, step-dance, vocals, ukulele fiddle, piano, step-dance, vocals, mandolin fiddle, step-dance, accordion, piano, vocals, accordion fiddle, step-dance, piano, vocals
Building on over three generations of Leahy musicianship, Doug Leahy, together with his wife Jennifer and their children, are keeping those traditions alive through music, song, and dance. Doug, as a member of “Leahy” and Jennifer, having played music throughout her life, both understand the joy and exhilaration only music can provide. It is no wonder then that their children understand innately that music will be a huge part of their lives. Even the smallest children feel the music pulsing through their veins. They are drawn to it. They are passionate about it. It is this drive to create music that has led Doug and Jennifer’s children to achieve so much, even at their young ages. With most of them still in elementary school, the children are accomplished multi-instrumentalists. Led by Doug, live
performances are filled with the high-energy, infectious Celtic-based music people associate with the Leahy heritage. Fiddle, cello, French accordion, singing, piano, and French-Canadian step-dancing all find a voice on stage. And the children, so in love with what they are doing, enamour audiences who don’t want the show to end. Having shared stages across North America with “Leahy”, their performances leave audiences in awe. This rare talent in children so young is an inspiration to other children and families alike, showing just what young people are capable of. The joy of music is meant for all and Doug and his family are set on sharing that joy with each and every audience.
29
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea At Flato Markham Theatre Science fiction has always been concerned with going where no man has gone before, but before the obsession with outer space and the far reaches of the galaxy, writers cast their imagination toward the unknown mysteries of exploring the earth. Nineteenth-century writer, Jules Verne laid the foundation of modern science fiction with Journey to the Centre of the Earth in 1864. His follow up, Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea (1870), captured the imagination of the world. Now, nearly 150 years later, the story still seeks to thrill audiences, this time through a new stage adaptation of Captain Nemo’s harrowing adventure. The show plays at Flato Markham Theatre on December 28. “I loved the novel when I was a kid!” says Craig Francis, the show’s co-creator and stage manager. “He was original Sci-Fi. He took cutting-edge technology, saw where it was going, and had a global vision.” This adaptation was co-written and directed by Rick Miller, whose work has toured five continents in three languages. Audiences in
30
Markham will remember his work in the solo shows MacHomer (a mashup of Macbeth and the Simpsons) and BOOM. Those shows were also known for making much out of imaginative stagecraft and projections. “It’s a fast-paced, super-fun retelling of the undersea adventure,” explains Miller. “We use multimedia in creative, immersive ways, while also commenting on technology itself, and how we use it today.” This new version of the story features a narrator named Jules, a character who was named after the aforementioned famed writer. The modern Jules is a university student who has spent seven years studying the collapse of the ocean’s ecosystem but he decides to reset the clock to 1868 and tell his own version of the Verne classic in the hopes that his hero Captain Nemo will help him disconnect from humanity completely. But the mysterious Nemo has his own agenda, whisking Jules and Professor Aronnax, aboard the Nautilus for a journey of wonder and danger. The show unfolds from the narrator’s mind
as a steampunk illusion. The mix of projections, miniatures projected to life-size, beautiful lighting and captivating performances by three actors tackling multiple roles bring the story to life. Many of the issues that Verne wrote about in 1870 remain with us today. The show addresses colonialism, whaling and conservation, and even overuse and pollution of water. This new production expands this visionary perspective as the characters explore Earth’s oceans. “ I was really overjoyed with how exciting it ended up looking and sounding,” says Francis. “ It’s thrilling to experience a whole epic story brought to life with just 3 actors, high-tech and low-tech special effects, in real time in front of a live audience!’” The responsibility of making a complex and engrossing show that seemed to appear out of a single actor’s mind fell largely to projection designer Deco Dawson and composer Richard Feren. Elements pop up or down or sometimes descend from pulleys. Layers of projections, from three different machines, playfully jump from small scale to large scale. Ambient sound plays throughout. The idea is to play tricks with the audience’s mind.
It’s no small task for the cast of three, Jesse Nerenberg and Richard Clarkin from Toronto, and Katie Melby from New York, to bring their presence and performance up to the level set by the show’s technology. Jesse plays the modernday narrator Jules, plus whole bunch of other colourful characters, as he narrates the story – sometimes acting with action figures into a live video camera. Katie plays Professor Aronnax, and Richard plays the infamous Captain Nemo. “One of the hooks that drew us in was that back then Captain Nemo was so distraught by what was happening on land that he escaped and created a paradise under the sea,” explains Miller. “It really resonates today, says Francis. “Imagine Captain Nemo knowing that species he was just discovering would be driven to the brink extinction.” “That’s our framework, our jumping off point for the piece,” continues Miller, “and how we bring it home with a sense of hope, and a call to action!” Flato Markham Theatre presents Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on December 28.
31
FRI. DEC. 28 I 2 & 7 PM JOIN US ABOARD THE NAUTILUS, ON AN UNFORGETTABLE RIDE TO THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA‌ AND THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT! Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea is the theatrical adaptation of the classic Jules Verne undersea adventure, exploring the power of nature and the nature of power. Plunge into a multisensory experience with unforgettable characters, eye-popping projections and interactive audience technology. This family-friendly show encourages us to connect for the future. Kidoons is a unique concept in family entertainment and storytelling, integrating online education with live entertainment, telling classic stories and
32
touring their theatrical productions all over the world. Rick Miller and Craig Francis, the co-creators of the play Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, have also created a larger world of stories, characters, adventure and education that hope to entertain, educate, enlighten and empower young people. The overarching plot is the story of the legendary Captain Nemo, who travels in his incredible
Nautilus submarine protecting the world’s waters. Captain Nemo’s ocean base is the undersea city of New Atlantis, where humans and animals work together to protect and save the earth. The overarching theme is the idea that by working together – and by bringing together art and science – we can help solve the problems facing all of us. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, the stage show, was commissioned and premiered at the Pan Am Games Cultural Festival in Toronto in 2015. It has run Off-Broadway at The New Victory Theatre, at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Florida, and is currently touring Canada and the U.S. The play has a cast of three brilliant actors and an immersive
multimedia design including projections and live feed of action-figures of the characters!
33
SUN. DEC. 30 I 2 & 7 PM Choreographer: Bengt Jörgen Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Holiday magic is made year after year by Canada’s Ballet Jörgen’s traditional treasure The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition. Created by acclaimed choreographer and Artistic Director Bengt Jörgen to Tchaikovsky’s well-loved score, this delightful classic is a favourite that brings magic to the holidays. Born from a collaboration with Kleinburg’s world-renowned McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and with well over 100 costumes in richly coloured fabrics, The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition brings out the magic of Canada. 20th Century landscapes make up the stunning 30-foot backdrops, including Franklin Carmichael’s Church and Houses at Bisset (1931), Tom Thompson’s Snow in the Woods (1916), and L.L. Fitzgerald’s Trees and Wildflowers (1922). This is a beautiful Canadian work, and audiences are taken on Klara’s familiar, magical dream journey as she arrives in Canada and experiences winter landscapes filled with snowflakes, lumberjacks, Mounties, and creatures of the woods.
36
Bengt Jörgen, artistic director for the Canada’s Ballet Jörgen imparts that “The use of Group of Seven Paintings to frame the story naturally provides for a very Canadian view point and helped shape the overall story for the ballet. I am particularly delighted to have created a ballet connected to one of my own favourite pastimes, canoeing in Ontario’s Algonquin Park.” This celebration of the wonder of the season is based on the popular traditional story The Nutcracker and the King of Mice by E.T.A. Hoffman, enjoyed by audiences for years. The ballet’s second act is remembered for its celebration of varied dances, and our charming divertissements of raccoons, loons, dragonflies, and bears demonstrate Klara’s longing for the summer months as she travels excitedly through her dreams. The iconic, show-stopping pas-de-deux in the final act is lovingly danced by Lord and Lady Birch as they usher Klara safely home at the end of the adventure.
Canada’s Ballet Jörgen’s Nutcracker is destined to become a national treasure that will warm the hearts of young and old alike. It is a holiday tradition that has showcased the magic of the season for years. Rediscover the show that audiences flock back to again and again!
ABOUT CANADA’S BALLET JÖRGEN Canada’s Ballet Jörgen is recognized as the only Canadian ballet company with a repertoire consisting exclusively of original works, and as a centre of excellence in the development of ballet choreography. Founded in 1987, Canada’s Ballet Jörgen is Ontario’s second largest dance company with 16 full-time dancers. Since its inception, they have created over 100 ballets and supported the development of over 40 different choreographers. The impact of this work is substantial. Many of the works created have gone into the repertoire of other companies such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, Ohio Ballet and The Hong Kong Ballet. Canada’s Ballet Jörgen is now the country’s fifth largest dance company in operating size and number of dancers. They have made an impact by creating critically acclaimed, innovative and unique ballets, bringing those ballets to communities that would otherwise not have an opportunity to see the dance form. With the second largest tour audiences of any ballet company, they serve more Canadian communities than any provincial counterpart and have long been recognized as a company that strives for nothing but excellence in its product, its outreach, and its impact on audiences.
37
39