Dinner is served (2023)
Venture back to 1960s in Toronto, where you are invited to a dinner party in the home of an upper-class family. Eight unique stories are told by eight main characters: The Matriarch, The Host, The Hostess, The Favourite, His Wife, His Secretary, The Other Man, and Lady in Red. Audiences can choose to act as witness or accomplice to the characters’ stories, in this immersive dance-theatre experience. At its core, Dinner is Served is about belonging, and the human need for love and connection. (14+ rating for mature themes)
Choreographer/Director: Kristen Carcone
Cast: Fanny Ghorayeb, Kathia Wittenborn, Rodney Diverlus, Kim Fischer, Laura Carella, Christine Flores, Sully Malaeb Proulx, Jazzmin James, Bri Clarke, Christian Lavigne
Producers: David Norsworthy and Bri Clarke
Associate Choreographers/Director: Ross Wirtanen and Clinton Edward
Outside Choreographer: Brian Lawton
Stage/Production Management: Elcee Cournoyea and Nazerah Carlisle (ASM)
Sound Designer: Miquelon Rodriguez
Set Designer: Erika Carcone
Costume Support: Trent Hayward
Intimacy Director: Lisa Stevens
Story Writer: Kim Fischer
Design/Photography: Kendra Epik, Brian Huynh, Sid Sawant
Support: Campbell House Museum, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, Underground Dance Centre
Performances:
Toronto, ON (June 22-24) at Campbell House Museum
Toronto, ON (June 28-July 2) at Campbell House Museum
“Dinner is Served is an immersive dance theatre piece that delivers delight on a silver platter. Kristen Carcone’s direction and choreography come to life in an absurd farce set at a 1960s dinner party. The site-specific location is the Campbell House Museum, where the cast fills every room with inventive choreography. ”
Elusive Truths (2021)
Elusive Truths is an arrival in time, an intersection of questions, and an invitation towards radical honesty that aims to bridge the space between David Norsworthy, Monèt Noelle Marshall and those who come to witness. Situated in the realms of dance and theatre, the event revels in the nuance of ever-changing aliveness and the complexity of constantly shifting realities. It plays in the ambiguity of paradox and, sometimes, delights in the levity of dishonesty. How can we dis-entangle ourselves from forces that distort truth? How can we tune our bodies to the frequencies of our deeply embodied, ancestral, intuitive truths?
Director, Producer, Co-Creator, Performer: David Norsworthy
Co-Creator, Performer: Monèt Noelle Marshall
Sound Designer/Composer, Performer: Omar David Rivero
Collaborators, Performers: Mairi Greig, María Isabel Salgado
Technical Director, Lighting Designer: Gabriel Cropley
Set Designer: Rachel Forbes
Outside Eyes: Henry Wai, Michael Caldwell
Support: City of Toronto / ShowLoveTO, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, TO Live, Forest Grove United Church, YYZ Artists’ Outlet, Black Bear Espresso
Performances:
Toronto, ON (November 12-13) at Forest Grove United Church
Toronto, ON (November 16-17) at YYZ Artists’ Outlet
Toronto, ON (November 19-20) at Black Bear Espresso
Workshop:
Toronto, ON (November 20) at St. Lawrence Center for the Arts
Possibilities of Dialogue (2019-2020)
Possibilities of Dialogue is an exchange of energy and awareness; a co-creation and community building experiment choreographed and performed by TFD Co-Director David Norsworthy and NYC-based dance artist Marielis Garcia. Inspired by the parallels between making a dance and having a conversation, the performance is an emergent, collaborative creative process; moments of listening, curiosity, disagreement and spontaneity unfold through movement and text.
Creators/Choreographers and Performers: David Norsworthy, Marielis Garcia, and participants/audience
Composers: Brad Wentworth and Noah MacDougall
Mentors and Dramaturgs: JoAnna Mendl Shaw, Peter Kyle, Andrea Roberts, Michael Caldwell
Lighting Designer and Technical Director: Gabriel Cropley
Support: Inception to Exhibition, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, DanceWorks, North York Arts, and the City of Toronto’s Cultural HotSpot program
Performances (2019)
Toronto, ON (March 18) at Cardinal Carter Academy
Toronto, ON (March 19) at Earl Haig Secondary School
Markham, ON (March 20) at Unionville High School
Brampton, ON (March 22) at Mayfield Secondary
Toronto, ON (April 5-7) at Toronto Center for the Arts’ Studio Theatre
Performances (2020)
Online / Virtual (November 1) - a special work-in-progress and mentorship iteration
“I saw them “playing” by a predetermined set of rules only they knew. Their specificity created suspense; I wanted to figure out the rules. But I couldn’t guess them all. And that mattered less and less than sensing the integrity in their effort. ”
4-7-8 (2018)
4–7–8 is an immersive dance-theatre experience conceived and choreographed by TFD Co-Director, Kristen Carcone. The project explores the complexities of anxiety and the social stigma surrounding mental health. Based on the breathing technique made popular by Dr. Andrew Weil, 4–7–8 is a five-part multi-disciplinary performance including dance, visual art, live music, audio installations, and theatre. Audiences move from room to room as a collective, experiencing the power of interpretation and connection.
Creator/Choreographer: Kristen Carcone
Performers: Colleen Snell, David Steinmetz, Kim Fischer, Laura Carella, Maddy Wright
Technical Team: Joe Pagnan and Abigail Palmer (Lighting Designers), Erika Carcone (Set Designer), Jim Carcone (Construction Supervisor), Laura Cournoyea (Stage Manager)
Composers: Callahan Connor and Kyle Jacques
Stunt Coordinator: Simon Fon
Mentors/Advisors: Maria Luisa Contursi, Shelley Kabelin
Producer: Matthew Kariatsumari
Support: Toronto Arts Council, Small Arms Society, and the City of Mississauga.
Performances (2018):
Mississauga, ON (Nov 30-Dec 2) at the Small Arms Building
Works in Process (2017)
With the goal of being transparent about our continuous learning process as we create choreography, TFD Co-Directors David Norsworthy and Kristen Carcone assembled a Works In Process programme, including excerpts of Waiting by Kristen Carcone and Possibilities of Dialogue by David Norsworthy and Marielis Garcia. The showings featured virtuosic physicality and dynamic theatricality, and showcased guest artist performers from Toronto and New York City. Movement, text, sound and ideas collided in this educational event, with spoken interludes between performances that discussed choreographic intentions, curiosities and “Active Viewing” tools and strategies.
We wait. We wait in line, we wait for someone to arrive, wait for the subway, wait for an email or phone call...Waiting seems to be inevitable. Whether it be anxiously, excitedly, in frustration or out of obligation, is it possible that we are always waiting? What fascinates me is the behaviour and psychology in HOW we wait. What happens to us when we have to hand over control to something or someone else? What can we discover about ourselves in moments of waiting?
Possibilities of Dialogue is driven by the question: How can we facilitate an artistic dialogue that is responsive to and inclusive of the audience? We believe that dialogue is rich with possibility when listening and transparency are held in equal balance with spontaneity and action. Our interest lies in pursuing our curiosities and creative impulses with rigour and commitment while allowing the “conversation” to unfold in a way that is emergent.
Creators/Choreographers: David Norsworthy, Kristen Carcone and Marielis Garcia
Performers: David Norsworthy, Denver Milford, Kristen Carcone, Maddy Wright, Marielis Garcia and Michael-Anthony Souza
Support: Inception to Exhibition
Performances (2017):
New York, NY (Oct 20) at The Alchemical Studios
Vaughan, ON (Oct 23) at Westmount Collegiate Institute
Oshawa, ON (Oct 24) at O’Neill Collegiate Institute
Thornhill, ON (Oct 25) at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School
Mississauga, ON (Oct 26) at Cawthra Park Secondary School
Brampton, ON (Oct 27) at St. Roch Secondary School
Toronto, ON (Oct 30) at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts
TOES FOR DANCE Festival (2015)
The TOES FOR DANCE Festival featured two full-length solo performances; Three Muses by Belinda McGuire Dance Projects and The Living Shh by Callahan Connor/C-Command. Our presentation of Three Muses was named one of the Top Five Dance Events in 2015 by The Globe and Mail.
Three Muses is a spectacular one-woman dance event, featuring four choreographic works danced by esteemed solo performer Belinda McGuire. Hailed by the Toronto Star as “riveting”, Mississauga-born Belinda McGuire is a graduate of The Juilliard School in New York City and has performed internationally with numerous renowned choreographers and companies.
Inspired by a freestyle rap in a lucid dream, The Living Shh is a one-man spoken word psychedelic odyssey. Follow C-Command across a densely rhythmic rhyme-scape to the secret places deep inside where surreal ideas flutter, fuse, and explode. This quest for knowledge is dizzying, but laughter and music are constant companions.
Choreographers: Belinda McGuire, Sharon B. Moore, Idan Sharabi, Doug Varone
Creator: Callahan Connor
Performers: Belinda McGuire and Callahan Connor
Technical Team: Laura Cournoyea (Stage and Production Manager), Joe Pagnan (Lighting Designer)
Performances (2015):
Toronto, ON: Three Muses (Dec 11-13) at Aki Studio Theatre
Toronto, ON: The Living Shh (Dec 11-13) at Aki Studio Theatre
entrances and exits (2015)
A “smorgasbord” of contemporary dance performance, entrances and exits aimed to make dance accessible to new audiences by striking a balance between innovation and entertainment. The mixed program format offered a variety of movement styles and physical theatre with influences ranging from performance art, spoken word, ballet, modern, hip hop, jazz, and ballroom dance. TFD Co-Directors David Norsworthy and Kristen Carcone addressed the audience with informal spoken interludes throughout the show; offering artistic context and insights into the creative process.
Creators/Choreographers: Apolonia Velasquez & Ofilio Sinbadinho, Callahan Connor, Fernando Melo, Heidi Strauss, Jason Parsons, Kate Wallich, Kristen Carcone, Liony Garcia, Marie Lambin-Gagnon, Peggy Baker, Riley Sims, Rosie Herrera, Scott McCabe
Performers: Ana Maria Lucaciu, Callahan Connor, David Norsworthy, Justin De Luna, Kristen Carcone, Lea Ved, Maleek Washington, Mia DiLena, Rebecca Diab, Sarah Fregeau, Scott McCabe, Thomas House
Technical Team: Laura Cournoyea (Production/Stage Manager), Holly Meyer‐Dymny (Lighting Designer), Seren Lannon (Tech Assistant)
Support: mindyourmind, Inception to Exhibition, DanceWorks, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre
Performances (2015):
New York , NY (Oct 4) at the Joan Weill Center for Dance
Toronto, ON (Nov 4) at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre
Mississauga, ON (Nov 5) at Cawthra Park Secondary School
Markham, ON (Nov 6) at Flato Markham Theatre
Toronto, ON (Nov 9) at Etobicoke School of the Arts
Mississauga, ON (Nov 11) at the Living Arts Centre
Toronto, ON (Nov 14-15) at the Betty Oliphant Theatre
knees and toes (2012-2014)
With the aim of demystifying contemporary dance and contributing to sector-wide audience cultivation efforts, TOES FOR DANCE presented three mixed programs of short works in the autumns of 2012, 2013, and 2014 under the production title knees and toes. Each year’s program boasted a stellar cast of Ontario-based and international dance artists as well as a range of emerging and illustrious choreographers.
Support: Inception to Exhibition, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, mindyourmind, Dancemakers, Dance Umbrella of Ontario, Canada’s National Ballet School, and The Juilliard School.
2014 Edition
Creators/Choreographers: Apolonia Velasquez & Ofilio Sinbadinho, Bryan Arias, Bynh Ho, Camille A. Brown, David Norsworthy, Jason Parsons, Jonathan Campbell and Austin Diaz, José Limón, Kristen Carcone, Lea Ved, Linda Garneau, Liony Garcia, Robert Glumbek
Performers: Austin Diaz, Belinda McGuire, David Norsworthy, Eli Bauer, Jonathan Campbell, JT Papandreos, Kalene Jeans, Kate Holden, Kelly Shaw, Kristen Carcone, Lea Ved, Robbie Moore, Ryan Lee, Waldean Nelson
Technical Team: Laura Cournoyea (Production and Stage Manager), Joe Pagnan (Technical Director/Lighting Designer), and Laura Johnson-Sherratt (Assistant Lighting Designer).
Performances:
New York, NY (Oct 4) at The Joan Weill Center for Dance
Toronto, ON (Nov 7) at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre
Mississauga, ON (Nov 8) at Cawthra Park Secondary School
Waterloo, ON (Nov 9) at the Humanities Theatre
Mississauga, ON (Nov 10) at Meadowvale Theatre
Thornhill, ON (Nov 11) at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School
Mississauga, ON (Nov 12) at Cawthra Park Secondary School
Toronto, ON (Nov 13) at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts
Vaughan, ON (Nov 14) at the Vaughan City Playhouse
Toronto, ON (Nov 15-16) at the Betty Oliphant Theatre
2013 Edition
Creators/Choreographers: Bynh Ho, Cindy Salgado and Alejandro Rodriguez, Colleen Snell, Darshan Singh Bhuller, David Earle, David Norsworthy, Garth Johnson, Jonathan Campbell and Austin Diaz, Kristen Carcone, Lea Ved, Linda Garneau
Performers: Adrian Eitzen, Alejandro Rodriguez, Alvin Collantes, Austin Diaz, Belinda McGuire, Eli Bauer, Jonathan Campbell, Julia Cratchley, Kelly Shaw, Lea Ved, Sydney McManus, Tori Mehaffey
Technical Team: Joe Pagnan (Lighting Designer) and Michelle Galuszka (Production and Stage Manager)
Performances:
New York, NY (Sept 20) at Shetler Studios
Toronto, ON (Oct 5) at Dancemakers Centre for Creation
Mississauga, ON (Oct 8) at Cawthra Park Secondary School
Markham, ON (Oct 10) at Flato Markham Theatre
Toronto, ON (Oct 11) at Ryerson University
London, ON (Oct 15) at South Collegiate Institute
Brampton, ON (Oct 17) at St Roch Secondary School
Ottawa, ON (Oct 18) at Canterbury High School
Ottawa, ON (Oct 19) at Shenkman Arts Centre
2012 Edition
Creators/Choreographers: Colleen Snell and Philippe Poirier, David Norsworthy, Garth Johnson, Jonathan Campbell and Austin Diaz, Kelly Shaw and Mia DiLena, Kristen Carcone, Lea Ved, Nathan Makolandra
Performers: Austin Diaz, Colleen Snell, Cory Barnette, David Norsworthy, Garth Johnson, Jonathan Campbell, Julia Cratchley, Kelly Shaw, Kristen Carcone, Lea Ved, Mia DiLena, Philippe Poirier, Scott McCabe, Sydney McManus,Tori Mehaffey
Technical Team: Pat Andison and Nick Andison (Lighting Designers)
Performances:
Toronto, ON (Oct 28) at Dancemakers Centre for Creation
“Soaring high yet landing on their feet, TOES FOR DANCE creates a piece of modern art that needs no explanation, only eyes and ears... keeping its audience engaged through its variety, its content and its varying stage texture, providing for an orchestra of emotion and music in its physical form.”
“The technical skill level of the whole cast was impeccable. I wasn’t aware of their effort at all while I was watching. Maybe the alternate ways of seeing offered throughout the night, these prompts to look with fresh eyes, allowed me the freedom to stop watching dance as a dancer and experience the work from where I was as an audience member. In moments, I forgot I was watching dance and instead was afforded the space and permission to revel in the joy of witnessing art unfold on stage.”