Toronto Dance Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Toronto Dance Theatre is a Canadian modern dance
company based in Toronto
, Ontario
. Described by The Canadian Encyclopedia
as "one of the foremost modern-dance companies in Canada", the company tours nationally and internationally and regularly performs at the Harbourfront Centre
and Winchester Street Theatre in Toronto . The company currently consists of 9 dancers and 2 dance interns in addition to other artistic staff. The ensemble has been led by Artistic Director Christopher House
since 1994.
The TDT was co-founded in 1968 by Martha Graham
disciples Patricia Beatty, David Earle, and Peter Randazzo. All three formally shared the artistic directorship of the company during its first 15 years, although Earle played a more dominant role as a leader for the company. The trio created more than 60 choreographed works during their tenure; often with original scores by Canadian composers.
At the time of TDT's founding, The School of Toronto Dance Theatre
was also established as part of the organization. In 1978 the school became its own separate institution under Earle's leadership, but the two organizations still maintain an affiliation.
Modern dance
Modern dance is a dance form developed in the early 20th century. Although the term Modern dance has also been applied to a category of 20th Century ballroom dances, Modern dance as a term usually refers to 20th century concert dance.-Intro:...
company based in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. Described by The Canadian Encyclopedia
The Canadian Encyclopedia
The Canadian Encyclopedia is a source of information on Canada. It is available online, at no cost. The Canadian Encyclopedia is available in both English and French and includes some 14,000 articles in each language on a wide variety of subjects including history, popular culture, events, people,...
as "one of the foremost modern-dance companies in Canada", the company tours nationally and internationally and regularly performs at the Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre is a key cultural organization on Toronto, Ontario's waterfront, situated at 235 Queen's Quay West. Established as a crown corporation in 1972 by the federal government to create a waterfront park, it became a non-profit organization in 1991. Funding comes from corporate...
and Winchester Street Theatre in Toronto . The company currently consists of 9 dancers and 2 dance interns in addition to other artistic staff. The ensemble has been led by Artistic Director Christopher House
Christopher House
Christopher Maxwell House is a Canadian choreographer. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from York University he joined the Toronto Dance Theatre in 1979. In 1981 he was appointed that company's choreographer-in-residence...
since 1994.
The TDT was co-founded in 1968 by Martha Graham
Martha Graham
Martha Graham was an American modern dancer and choreographer whose influence on dance has been compared with the influence Picasso had on modern visual arts, Stravinsky had on music, or Frank Lloyd Wright had on architecture.She danced and choreographed for over seventy years...
disciples Patricia Beatty, David Earle, and Peter Randazzo. All three formally shared the artistic directorship of the company during its first 15 years, although Earle played a more dominant role as a leader for the company. The trio created more than 60 choreographed works during their tenure; often with original scores by Canadian composers.
At the time of TDT's founding, The School of Toronto Dance Theatre
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre is a Canadian dance school located in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The School was founded in 1968 by Patricia Beatty, David Earle, and Peter Randazzo, and is today among the foremost institutions of dance education in Canada.-Programs...
was also established as part of the organization. In 1978 the school became its own separate institution under Earle's leadership, but the two organizations still maintain an affiliation.