Dances for a Small Stage to Perform at 2015 Magnetic North Theatre Festival

This June, Dances for a Small Stage, Vancouver's vivacious dance series, will travel to Ottawa's National Arts Centre to present an audacious, politically charged program of new music and dance creations, as part of the 2015 Magnetic North Theatre Festival (MNTF). Prior to the MNTF performances, Vancouver audiences will be treated to an avant-première of the ambitious program, titled, Small Stage Canada, June 2 - 4, 2015 at 8pm at retro-glam hotspot The Emerald.

"It's a dream and a privilege to present Small Stage Canada to a national audience at the Magnetic North Theatre Festival, an opportunity made possible by Artistic Executive Director Brenda Leadlay - a visionary whose artistic sensibilities have helped shape and guide my career," says MovEnt Artistic Producer Julie-anne Saroyan. "For Small Stage Canada - my biggest undertaking in more than 10-years - this highly-theatrical program, performed by a national line-up of performing artists, will offer a bold, no-holds-bard comment on Canada's political climate."

For the Vancouver preview of Small Stage Canada, Saroyan has assembled an eclectic line-up of some of our country's finest talents in music, dance, and theatre, including Patrick Pennefather, Chengxin Wei, Vanessa Goodman, Dayna Szyndrowski, Burgundy Brixx, Jonathan Ryder, and Karissa Barry. Emceeing the evening is the quirky and highly-inventive performer Billy Marchenski.

Small Stage Canada will be styled after Weimar Cabaret, a glamorous and enlightened performance style made popular in late 1920's Germany. After decades of restrictive government in Germany, the Weimar era encouraged liberal ideas and new forms of expression, providing Germans with a safe surrounding in which to share their political views. Today, the Weimar period is looked back on and commended for its high-living attitude and vibrant, boundary-pushing artistic practices.

The MNTF is renowned for showcasing the very best of Canadian contemporary theatre and dance, with a focus on works that comment on our experiences in and perceptions of today's world. First established in 2003, this Ottawa-based festival features a range of programming each year, including Main Stage performances, outdoor shows, and guerrilla street theatre.

Dances for a Small Stage will perform Small Stage Canada at the MNTF on June 9 and 10 at the National Arts Centre, 4th Stage. For more information, visit magneticnorthfestival.ca.

About Small Stage (smallstage.ca)
Founded in 2001, Small Stage has wowed audiences by tearing down formalities and creating intimate, raw scenarios in which to experience dance. Regarded for producing accessible, engaging new dance works that encourage high expectations, Small Stage is devoted to supporting dance artists of all artistic styles and genres, and developing a dedicated and engaged audience for dance.