Citadel+Compagnie
This weekend, one of Canada’s foremost dance troupes - Citadel+Compagnie – bring three works by James Kudelka to Halifax. Recently we spoke with artistic director Laurence Lemieux about what audiences can expect.
When and why did you first
become interested in dance?
When I was about 15 years old, I was a gymnast. My coach
suggested that I should start dancing so I did…just like that!
Are they the same reasons
that you continue to be involved today?
No, I continue to be involved today because I find that it is
an art form with endless possibilities of human expression
What are the challenges of
the vocation?
The body breaks down very fast, and a lot of dancers suffer
from chronic pain as they grow older. It is also a very regimented life, so one
must be very committed to the idea of not having a regular lifestyle.
What are the rewards?
The reward is the ability to accomplish artistic expression
and give it to the audience just with one’s body and hard work.
Is your creative process more
'inspirational' or 'perspirational'?
I think it is both. By ‘perspirational’ you must mean
sweating? If this is the case, I would say my creative process is both of these
things together; one needs inspiration to create, but a lot of hard work is
required to complete a work of art
What inspired the mixed
Kudelka program?
Randy Glynn the presenter asked us to bring an evening of James
Kudelka’s work….so we did! These pieces of choreography were created a while
ago and the movement has not changed. The only change has been the occasional
change of dancers
What can audiences here in
Atlantic Canada expect to experience?
A wonderful show with great dancers, evocative music and a
very human and evocative approach to movement
What are your thoughts on
the current state of dance in Canada?
I think dance in Canada is very healthy and doing well, the
only thing holding it back is more funding and more awareness from the public.
Performing arts is alive and well, although must people prefer to control what
they see by social media and home television. But to go see a performance is
exciting and makes you feel much more alive and connected to other human being,
something a screen cannot do in the same way.
How can that be improved?
More awareness, more funding, more support more arts
education, etc…
What's next on your
creative agenda?
On December 16th we are presenting our annual
Christmas Cabaret at the Theatre we own at The Citadel. It is a fun filled
evening with a annual lip synching competition.
Mixed Program
of James Kudelka Dances
Citadel+Compagnie
December 7 – 9, 2017, 8 PM
Sir James Dunn Theatre, Halifax
