Encounters

Encounters, featuring works by Sashar Zarif and Tedd Robinson, is part of a solo & duet commissioning project – intimate encounters created by exceptional choreographers with whom Sylvie Bouchard wanted to journey artistically. Each piece is created in an environment that allows time for the artists to delve deep into their creative curiosities, and to explore new ideas and artistic landscapes. Encounters is the third production within this commissioning project.

…but water is like a mirror by Sashar Zarif

…but water is like a mirror is an intimate ritual of body and breath. Blood remembers, mind wanders, while water brings the body to find its centre, through colourful currents.

This ritual was inspired by the connection between wounds and nature, and by how the horse spirit can heal the body through breath. Sylvie’s invested relationship with horses and Sashar’s emotional connection to nomadic life and horse spirit, have brought this collaboration to a wholesome place.

The solo choreography uses the unique creative approach to dance called Living Stories that was developed by Sashar Zarif, along with inspirations drawn from Central Asian shamanic cultures, in collaboration with the artistry of Sylvie Bouchard.

Bob’s Last Request! by Tedd Robinson

Tedd Robinson passed away on August 27th, 2022. Unique, eccentric, beautiful, loved, and a mentor to many, his youthful curiosity and thoughtful wisdom will forever resonate with all those whose lives he touched. Through Bob’s Last Request!, we wanted to humbly share with you the accumulation of our creation process with Tedd, remounted alongside his long-time collaborator Angie Cheng.

For the creation of Bob’s Last Request!, the late Tedd Robinson was interested in working more closely with a narrative, which he described as follows: “The two performers were part of an unsuccessful band from the 60s. Bob, the third member of the trio, died and requested that a song from the band be performed at his funeral. Bob’s Last Request! is about the preparation of the two other band members before the funeral, and the song that is performed at the funeral.”

We are dedicating the Friday, May 12 performance to Tedd Robinson, and will perform the work in his memory every night.