North York Arts is thrilled to be showcasing Possibilities of Dialogue at the Toronto Centre for the Arts next month! Co-created and performed by TOES FOR DANCE Co-Director David Norsworthy and NYC-based dance artist Marielis Garcia, Possibilities of Dialogue is an exchange of energy and awareness.
The show is part of NYA’s Evolve! Performing Arts Program, which was created to give new and emerging Toronto-based theatre and dance artists an opportunity to explore, develop, revise or complete a work using high quality, accessible space and services.
I had the chance to ask David a few questions about his passion for dance, his experience with Evolve!, and what audiences can expect from the performance.
Tell me a bit about yourself and your passion for dance
I am an independent dance artist (choreographer, performer and educator). I grew up in Mississauga, pursued my professional training at The Juilliard School in New York City and now base myself in North York while working around the world. Dancing, for me, is at its finest when doing, feeling and thinking are practiced in equal balance! I am fascinated by the pursuit of freedom in my body and deeply committed to interrogating and advocating for the value of art within the context of community.
What has your experience been like with NYA’s Evolve! Program?
Honestly, it has been a total dream. Marielis and I started working on Possibilities of Dialogue in May 2017 and the opportunity to further develop and present this work in my home city came at the perfect stage in our process! We are really grateful for the time to experiment with technical elements (lighting and sound) in a professional theatre space during our Technical Residency before the shows. Such a necessity in terms of creating a cohesive, thoroughly devised performance but also (unfortunately) a luxury that is rarely possible for performance makers in Toronto!
Why do you think it’s important for artists to have access to high quality space?
Creativity is a tricky beast. It’s a kind of phenomenon that can be prepared for and invited but never forced. Lately I’ve been very interested in how to cultivate the conditions for creativity to “show up” and one major factor is the working environment. Often rehearsal/performance space is so expensive that there is no time to experiment or take risks … This is hugely detrimental as it narrows the possibilities to what an artist knows or can easily imagine will “work”. Removing the financial stress around space allows artists to be bolder in their experimentation and more imaginative.
What can people expect during Possibilities of Dialogue?
Although I appreciate the intention behind your question, I actually hope that people will arrive at the performance without very many expectations!! Here’s what I can share: Possibilities of Dialogue is a contemporary dance performance that is, at times, interactive with and responsive to the audience. Marielis and I will do our best to bring both our physical virtuosity and listening skills into the performance; which is almost entirely improvised based on a rigorous choreographic structure. Our role is to facilitate an inclusive experience that has the possibility of generating curiosity and connection.
Possibilities of Dialogue is co-presented by TOES FOR DANCE, co-produced by North York Arts’ Evolve! Program and part of the DanceWorks CoWorks Series. The performance will be at the Toronto Centre for the Arts from April 5-7, 2019. Tickets are on sale on Ticketmaster or at Box Office. Click here for more information.
