CONVERSATIONS: Hidden Stories

CONVERSATIONS: Hidden Stories – A collaboration between Vanguardia Dance Projects and Aanmitaagzi  

WORLD PREMIERE | Mar 27 | WORLD THEATRE DAY

Presented by MT Space as part of 2024-25 season | March 27-30, 2025 – The Registry Theatre  

 
CONVERSATION: Hidden Stories is a dialogue of bodies extended in various latitudes of the Americas. Starting from the investigation of 'body and territory' by the Colombian-Canadian choreographer Olga Barrios, this work seeks a conversation between women throughout the Americas, seeking a South-North echo.

Barrios' research/creation explores the traces of Indigenous heritage that have been erased in her journey, as has happened with many people in various places in America and the planet. This work is based on the woman of many colours that she experiences in herself and with the many other voices in the world that seek connection with ideas of traces erased from history. 
 
About the Companies

Vanguardia Dance Projects, is a collective focused on creating, presenting, promoting and supporting works of dance artists with Latin American and Indigenous backgrounds living in Canada. We intend to promote an ongoing exchange and collaboration with international dance organizations and artists. We are interested in the dissemination of contemporary artistic practices of dance artists with Latin American background in Canada, maintaining conversations with the rest of the country and the world. We support innovative artists that include other art disciplines pushing the boundaries of what is called “contemporary" as well as works that, having dance as the core, reflect a permanent search of expression through different languages.

Aanmitaagzi is an Indigenous multi-disciplinary artist-run company based in Nipissing First Nation. Linked to provincial, national and international networks, Aanmitaagzi is committed to fostering a vibrant arts community through community-engaged projects that promote well-being, strengthen relationships with the land, and incorporate intergenerational approaches and methodologies. Aanmitaagzi combines art-making, education, professional development & social activism through contemporary and customary arts, nurturing historic Indigenous arts practices and exploring how these practices can be carried forward in a meaningful contemporary context. 

Dancers & Text Creators
Norma Araiza
Olga Barrios
Penny Couchie
Animikiikwe Couchie
Lilia León

Composer & Sound Designer - Edgardo Moreno

Projection Artist – Alejandra Higuera in collaboration with Olga Barrios

Costumes – Jennifer Kelly

Lighting Design – Trevor Schwellnus

Installation Artists – Aanmitaagzi with Sherry Guppy (lead), Sid Bobb, & Penny Couchie

Director & Choreographer - Olga Barrios

On stage canvas installation developed by Aanmitaagzi artists with the Youth Summer Arts program at Big Medicine Studio in Nipissing First Nation

Acknowledgements

Locations of work development: Big Medicine Studio (Nipissing First Nation, North Bay), Arcadia Artists Co-op & National Ballet of Canada (Toronto)

Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.