Stage Door News

Toronto: Jaberi Dance Theatre presents the Toronto premiere of “No Woman's Land” March 14-16

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Toronto's Jaberi Dance Theatre (JDT) proudly makes its DanceWorks Mainstagedebut with the Toronto premiere of No Woman's Land, an evocative new work based on real stories of women in refugee camps.

Choreographed and directed by JDT Artistic Director Roshanak Jaberi, and created with a powerhouse artistic team and an ensemble of six performers, this interdisciplinary and dynamic dance theatre work runs for 3 nights only - Thursday,March 14 through Saturday March 16 - atHarbourfront Centre Theatre, direct from its Public Energy world premiere at Peterborough's historic Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (March 9-10).

No Woman's Land integrates responsive video design, original and verbatim text, live singing as well as original composition and sound design - taking audiences on a journey that reveals the plight and resistance of refugee women.

The project has been developed in collaboration with the Institute for Research and Development on Inclusion and Society (IRIS) and is based on research conducted by Doris Rajan (IRIS) and Dr. Shahrzad Mojab (University of Toronto). All of the themes and stories in this work are based on true accounts, derived from interviews conducted with Syrian, Tamil and Somali refugees, among others.

The world is experiencing the biggest mass displacement of people since WWII; No Woman's Land is a timely and urgent work that is viscerally impacted by the realities of refugees.

Jaberi notes, "I wanted to create a work that highlights the brave women at the heart of these stories, which not only triggered my own memories of displacement and war, but reminded me of the incredible capacity for human resilience in the face of adversity."

Undergoing two years of passionate research and dancemaking, this visual and sonic feast is created with and performed by Victoria Mata, Irma Villafuerte, Nickeshia Garrick, Drew Berry, Denise Solleza and Ahmed Moneka.

The artistic team includes choreographic mentor and artistic advisor Karen Kaeja, dramaturge Soheil Parsa, sound designer and composer Thomas Ryder Payne, scenographer and visual designer Jérôme Delapierre, costume designer CherylLalonde, among many other talented artists.

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Jaberi Dance Theatre is a contemporary and inter-disciplinary performing arts company based in Toronto. Founded in 2017 by Iranian-Canadian Roshanak Jaberi, the company is committed to exploring socially and politically relevant content that highlights the stories and lived experiences of racialized women, while providing a platform for intercultural collaboration and exchange. JDT aspires to create thought-provoking and innovative performances to engage, inspire and mobilize audiences towards social change. www.jaberidt.com

 DanceWorks began as a collective of independent dance artists in 1977 and has grown to become Toronto's leading presenter of independent dance. DanceWorks offers seasons of eclectic, exhilarating choreography programmed to intrigue, challenge and enthrall. DanceWorks adds to the theatrical experience with Carol's Dance Notes and post-performance conversations with artists. www.danceworks.ca


DanceWorks presents the Toronto premiereofJaberi Dance Theatre's No Woman's Land- based on real stories of women in refugee camps -Directed and choreographed by Roshanak Jaberi Thursday, March 14-Saturday March 16 at 8pmHarbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, TorontoFor tickets call 416-973-4000 or purchase online at www.danceworks.ca

 
Dynamic Ticket Pricing - the earlier purchased, the more saved:Prior to the week of the show - $36; During the week of the show - $40; Day of Show - $42Discounts: Seniors - $28, Arts Industry - 20% discount, Students - $15 and Groups of 10+ - $23Follow DanceWorks on twitter@DanceWorksTO and friend on Facebook @DanceWorksTOFollow Jaberi Dance Theatre on Twitter,FacebookandInstagram @jaberidtInfo: www.danceworks.ca.