Jean-Pierre Perreault (1947-2002)

Sous la direction de Ginelle Chagnon assistée de Sophie Breton, les finissants de 5 écoles canadiennes de formation professionnelle en danse contemporaine travaillent le matériau chorégraphique issu des œuvres Joe et Rodolphe. // Figure de proue de la danse contemporaine canadienne, Jean-Pierre Perreault (1947-2002) a créé des œuvres qui ont fortement marqué son époque et connu un large rayonnement. Il a contribué à l’élargissement du public et influencé des générations de chorégraphes. Perreault était un créateur complet : concepteur de chorégraphies, il signait aussi les scénographies et les costumes de ses œuvres. Dans un univers fait de vastes espaces architecturaux, il situait des êtres fragiles, des danseurs intenses, authentiques, « perreauesques ». Courses, saccades, ruptures, sons et rythmiques sont caractéristiques du style Perreault, une danse qui s’ancre dans l’espace, s’inscrit profondément dans un lieu et produit en partie sa propre musique. Les œuvres de Jean-Pierre Perreault nous convient à un perpétuel rendez-vous avec la nature humaine.//


Under the supervision of Ginelle Chagnon, assisted by Sophie Breton, the graduating students of 5 professional training schools in Canada are gathering to perform a work inspired by Joe and Rodolphe. // Jean-Pierre Perreault (1947-2002), created monumental choreographic works emblematic of their time that captured the audience’s attention across Canada and Europe. These works also contributed to the development of the Canadian contemporary dance scene. Perreault had an enlarged conception of his works. As well as making the choreography, he also created the costumes and imagines a specific environment. In a usually rather large scenic space, he situates fragile beings, intense and authentic dancers. While his dance inhabits the whole space, his movement is often abrupt, photogenic, rhythmical and most of the times, the source of sound. Through his works that are anchored in specific site and in control of their own musicality, he conveys us to be observant of human nature.

samedi 9 juin 2012

Texts: School of Toronto Dance Theatre / Semaine 16 / Week 16


 
Toronto, May 2012

In dance, the physical process of transferring knowledge from one person to another seems to me to be a unique experience; quite singular in its intensity, profundity, and impact. One can read about a dance, see it on film or video, but learning the movement directly from an artist of an earlier generation is as profound as passing on DNA. The visceral understanding that a dancer gains from working with artists who experienced the work in an earlier incarnation seems to me to be a unique phenomenon in the world.
Pat Fraser / STDT/ reading on to her students

What we are doing in the Joe et Rodolphe project has nothing to do with nostalgia. Rather, literally doing movement that was done before by others, and created by one who is no longer with us, not only enlivens the movement, but also teaches something to those experiencing it that cannot be learned in any other way. The process brings insight to those dancers, because they live in the shoes of the dancers who came before, and can then convey that experience to dancers of the future. The depth of understanding is more profound, more powerful, and more affecting.  The importance of this process is that it offers young dancers the opportunity to understand the time, the people, the art, and to communicate the heart of this masterful work.

Jean-Pierre Perreault was a compelling visual artist as well as a celebrated movement artist; he had an all-encompassing vision.  Now, through those who worked with him and deeply understood his artistry, our dancers are able to inhabit his powerful work.  What Perreault was trying to communicate had far-reaching implications – his vision has life, it has breath, and it has profound reason to be seen again.

/ Pat Fraser
Artistic Director
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre



Susan Macpherson/ STDT

Wonderful to have Ginelle and Sophie with us for two whole weeks.

Inspiring to see our dancers transforming into Joes, and to see Jean-Pierre's powerful vision alive - profound, moving, and eloquent as ever.

Thank you to all those at the Fondation for their tenacity, faith, and enduring belief in this vision.




/ Susan Macpherson,
Artistic Associate,
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre





It was great the way in which Ginelle introduced us to the work.   Everyone was allowed to find their own JOE … 
Chantal Baudoin / STDT


 Then everyone became one JOE, but with their own individuality. 



 / Chantal Baudouin
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre


Olivia Citter / STDT

It’s been so interesting to work with layers and layers of clothing, and with the boots.  It makes using weight more real, apparent and much more profound.



/ Olivia Citter
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre




Helen Cox / STDT


I have found the feeling of the music in the choreography.  

I’m not even conscious of the silence anymore … it too is now part of the music.  

 It’s a pleasure dancing in the musicality of the group.  

It’s powerful to sense the energy of the group; to feel the total agreement of the direction it’s going.

/ Helen Cox
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre


Neesha de Souza/ STDT

On opening night there was a thunderstorm.  
The air was electric and the energy of the audience was palpable. 

Right near the end of the piece during the JOE adage, while we were circling our hands, there was a huge clap of thunder … making the moment absolutely unforgettable.


/ Neesha de Souza
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre





I met Jean Pierre Perreault, covered in sweat, exhausted, tired and heavy. He showed me the beauty of all these things. He taught me to use them to become Joe, to find my Joe. With him I found the patience and humility that this work demands and deserves. I found my part in the whole. I lost myself in the lullaby of the harmonica and the song of Joes moving, sweeping, flapping around me. The sad and funny ho-hum of an everyday Joe's day, lifted into meaning around me.
Jessie Garon / STDT

I like to think JPP found me. He found me inside the layers of costume, flesh and bones and exposed something beautiful and intangible. Jean Pierre Perrault created more than a dance but a vast window into ourselves, and our common need to connect.

I want to thank you Ginelle for a process that meant so much to me. For having the courage, patience, warmth and energy that brought me to this work. Thank you for taking your time and letting me find Joe layer by layer. You care so much about this work and your spirit infuses everyone who dances Joe.

I'll be with everyone in spirit in Ottawa.

Much love and Merde

/Jessie Garon
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre


Amelia Iverson / STDT
It was fascinating to embrace a character that’s been danced before by so many others. 
My previous training did not lead me toward this kind of work and it’s been amazing to embody a different physicality and dive into the “being” of JOE.

/ Amelia Iverson
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre



Megumi Kokuba / STDT
I was trying to be “general JOE”! But then I found I could be “Megumi JOE”. 

There can be “Megumi JOE” and “Neesha JOE” and “Chantal JOE”, but it’s all still JOE

It helps me to be “me” to be in the whole.

/ Megumi Kokuba
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre
Jolyane Langlois / STDT


It’s a beautiful opportunity to be part of such a great work.  

It’s amazing to think of the history of the work and of all the great dancers who went before. 


The sound of the boots is so powerful.  

It’s incredible to find myself in a world of JOEs and to sense JOE taking over my body.


/ Jolyane Langlois
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre

It’s been wonderful to know of all the people who went before us and to truly try and fill their shoes. 
Amanda LaRusic / STDT

 I had a chance to speak to some previous JOEs and be inspired by their experiences in the work.

 / Amanda LaRusic
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre


It’s been a new experience to work with the weight of the shoes and how they affect the work. 

Sarah Leuschen / STDT
It’s been wonderful to be transported into the world of JOE.


/ Sarah Leuschen
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre

Sarah Reid / STDT
 
This is a powerful work.  

It was amazing to work with Ginelle, especially to receive her guidance about intention and focus. 

It is incredible to feel everyone’s power as we come together as one JOE.




/ Sarah Reid
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre



It’s been so interesting to delve into and embody a character. 


This JOE is sometimes a mystery to me and I love to explore who he is/I am.  It’s amazing to feel part of the whole.

/ Lara Roberts
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre

Anastasia Shivrina / STDT


In this piece it’s essential to let go of ego. 


I love to perform and to be onstage and it’s difficult to let go of that, but this piece is created and crafted in such a way that it’s easy to let go and be one of many.




/ Anastasia Shivrina
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre


Jarrett Siddall / STDT

At one point during our rehearsals, Pat Fraser offered the idea that we were “all alone together”. 

That really brought the work together for me and helped me find the JOE world.

/ Jarrett Siddall
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre


JOE has allowed me to learn how to find the mental stamina required to embark on building and sustaining a character over a long period of time. 

 




It’s been a rewarding and challenging experience.

 / Kristine Van Kessel
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre

Jelena Vujičić / STDT


Under all the clothes it feels calm and meditative. 

 It is great to see all my classmates all together having the same experience in this wonderful masterpiece.

/ Jelena Vujičić
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre

Nathalie Westerbeek / STDT

There he stands,
all as one, yet not alone.
 

Through a dim alley identical collars,
all suited to wander through the mist.

Who? Where?

 

The hypnotic strength of his rhythm gives them life.
Silence breaks.
The longing serves...

There is more beneath his heavy overcoat.
Striding past the others,
He searches and hunts, contemplating thoughts.
Hopeless breaths play chords as he hums for their forgotten souls.

/ Nathalie Westerbeek
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre

Angela Zhou / STDT



It was really demanding in a different way, to be part of the whole and to be totally aware of the other dancers.


The steps are simple … but so hard and so wonderfully challenging.



/ Angela (Ya Qing)Zhou
Graduating class of 2012
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre