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.
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| 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
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| 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 …
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| 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.
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| 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 |
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 |
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.
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| 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 |
/ 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.
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.
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
