Presentation House Theatre (PHT) and Centennial Theatre are delighted to present the North Vancouver premiere of Belle Spirale Dance Projects’ assemble, a full-length solo performance that transcends the boundaries of contemporary dance.
Formerly a principal artist with Ballet BC, choreographer Alexis Fletcher invites the audience to a profound exploration of intergenerational memory, loss, and the resilient capacity of the human spirit to voyage inward. This captivating performance runs for one night only on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.
Described by Stir Magazine as “dreamlike and enigmatic” as well as “a feat of complex choreography, imagery, lighting and monumental set pieces coming together,” assemble highlights Alexis’ rigorous and virtuosic contemporary movement language, as well as her reflective, personal insights into the human experience. Evocative musical scores by Sigur Rós and Dustin O’Halloran set the tone for this contemplative evening of contemporary dance.
Alexis states, “the intimacy and immediacy of solo performance have always held a unique fascination for me. As a creator and viewer, I find myself deeply drawn in by following a single artist’s trajectory from beginning to end—and intrigued by the exchange between soloist and audience.”
In assemble, we follow the solo performer, described as "honed and intensely expressive” (Stir), through rich and theatrical stage environments created by Quebecois visual designer and filmmaker Sylvain Senez, and lighting designer Victoria Bell.
assemble weaves together layers of text – written and spoken primarily by Fletcher herself – with Senez’s multifaceted set design and projected films, which transform the stage atmosphere continuously throughout the performance. This multi-disciplinary performance reaches a broad scope of audiences through the weaving together of film, text, and theatrical stage design.
Tickets are on sale now at https://tickets.centennialtheatre.com or in-person or by phone (2300 Lonsdale, North Vancouver, 604-984-4484, open Tues-Sat noon-5 p.m.).
For more information and show details, please visit phtheatre.org.
About Belle Spirale Dance Projects:
Belle Spirale Dance Projects is an arts organization founded by Alexis Fletcher and Sylvain Senez, both former artists with Ballet BC. It is based in Vancouver, Canada, on the unceded Indigenous territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
In 2016, they began co-creating independent mainstage works with Alexis as choreographer/ performer and Sylvain as visual designer, resulting in nine original productions to-date. Belle Spirale is a 2023/24 recipient of The Chrystal Dance Prize and holds the position of Artist in Residence at Chutzpah! Festival. It has been generously supported by Dance Victoria, Ballet BC, Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, Presentation House Theatre, New Works, Vernon Performing Arts Centre, The Gordon Smith Foundation, Dancing on the Edge, InFrinGing Festival, Shadbolt Centre and Dance: Made in/fait au Canada.
Functioning as a platform for diverse artistic voices, Belle Spirale collaborates with emerging and established choreographers, believing in a hands-on and heart-centred approach to art making that supports the development of both their own creations as well as the work of other like-minded creative spirits. Through the cross-disciplinary nature of their pieces, they strive to create poetic, relevant and visually compelling performances; they believe dance to be a distinct and powerful tool for connection, communication and togetherness.
About Centennial Theatre:
Centennial Theatre is the largest multi-purpose performing arts venue on Vancouver's North Shore. It is operated by North Vancouver Recreation & Culture (NVRC), an entity of the City of North Vancouver and District of North Vancouver that is responsible for providing engaging recreation and arts experiences, and supporting people in living active, creative, connected lives. Learn more nvrc.ca.
About Presentation House Theatre:
Nestled in the heart of North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale, Presentation House Theatre has become a neighbourhood creative hub, providing the community with a dynamic mix of professional theatre, music, and dance productions — all just a Seabus away from downtown Vancouver. We are the North Shore’s professional theatre company. For more than 40 years, we’ve entertained audiences with innovative programming and quality professional productions in our wonderfully welcoming space. We are committed to presenting and producing shows of the highest standard, and appealing to the diversity of North Shore audiences. We proudly offer programming for children and youth, adults young and old, the music aficionado and the innovative and emerging dancers. We are the cultural hub in your own backyard.
Media contact:
Araceli Ferrara
Marketing Coordinator
Presentation House Theatre
604-990-3473 | marketing@phtheatre.org
