Curtain rises for Performance Dance alumni at Fall For Dance North Festival
All eyes will be on Performance Dance alumni as they take the stage at the Fall For Dance North Festival from October 6 to 7, 2023. Fall For Dance North is Toronto’s premier international dance festival, showcasing emerging artists on a global scale. Teaming up with the participating 14 Dance alumni is School of Performance guest artist and esteemed choreographer Jesse Obremski from Gibney Company and Obremski/Works. The dancers will be performing Obremski’s piece ‘Light-Print,’ which was previously performed during the Springworks April 2023 showcase.
Dance students performing Light-Print at the Springworks showcase in April. Photo by Jeremy Mimnagh.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with the dancers again and joining them on this journey,” Obremski said. “It's as much of an opportunity for my work to be presented at Meridian Hall as it is for them to perform there.”
Transforming Meridian Hall
Seating an audience of over 3,000 people, Meridian Hall is one of Toronto’s major performing arts venues. Performing on its stage at a festival that attracts industry professionals worldwide is a valuable opportunity for these dancers to showcase their talent.
Obremski’s performance resume includes a variety of international stages and venues. He expressed the value of experience performing in different settings and venue types to teach performers how to adapt their energy to each unique space.
“The opportunity to perform in such a huge theatre as Meridian Hall expands your performance tools,” he explained. “It will be a learning experience for the dancers, who may not have had an opportunity to perform on stage that wide.”
Gaining industry experience with Fall For Dance North
Dance students performing Light-Print at the Springworks showcase in April. Photo by Jermey Mimnagh.
The partnership between the Performance and Fall For Dance North allows current students to make connections with industry professionals, with opportunities to work with artists in the field, such as Obremski. This experiential approach to the conservatory-style Dance program prepares students to enter the industry after graduation, supporting the transition from university to the professional field.
“The transition to the professional field can be challenging,” said Obremski. “So the added support the partnership offers is extremely valuable.”
‘Light-Print’ choreographer and School of Performance guest artist Jesse Obremski
Professor Louis Laberge-Côté reiterated the value of the opportunity for work with Obremski, expressing his tremendous gratitude that the alumni remount ‘Light-Print.’
“‘Light-Print’ is a compelling dance work choreographed by internationally-renowned Gibney Company Artistic Associate Jesse Obremski — through Performance at The Creative School's long-standing partnership with Fall for Dance North,” Laberge-Côté acknowledged. “Performing on the Meridian Hall stage as part of FFDN’s Signature Programs will be an unforgettable experience for the dance program’s recent grads, and an invaluable launching pad into their careers as emerging dance artists.”
‘Light-Print’ is part of ‘Unbowed: Signature Programme 2’ taking place October 6 and 7 at Meridian Hall. Tickets can be purchased here. (external link) The Theatre at The Creative School will also be hosting festival performances; see the performance schedule (external link) for more information. 
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
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