Heartsurge (100)

§ 56 BPM monitor

Artists' Play dance theatre II (100)

aR HeartSurge (100)

What happens when, in the beat of a heart, the inner rhythms that drive us change? FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2009

is back at it…

What happens when, in the beat of a heart, the inner rhythms that drive us change?

A joyful Viennese waltz is interrupted by a heart murmur. Three dancers morph into a sinewy pulsating heart, magnifying the physical representation of heart surgery. Through powerful elevated duets, heartfelt struggle becomes a mutual push to recovery.

Based on a true story, Alan Page shared his experience of emotions, physical being and factual, medical information associated with his own heart surgery. The first incarnation of HeartSurge was shown at fFida 2006 and now incorporates dance theatre, while intertwining social waltz with contemporary dance.

Elizabeth Dawn Snell’s choreography brings passion and empathy to the piece, and as her second year at the Fringe, she brings a fresh, new experience to the stage. Fringe 2008, the Toronto Star’s Susan Walker said, “Snell can dance,” and she can—catch her in a short preview of Love & Life alongside the performance of HeartSurge.

“Through the metaphor of lyrical, emotional movement… the piece made a strong impact…” —Paula Citron, The Globe and Mail

~Artists’ Play Dance Theatre presents HeartSurge at the 2009 Toronto Fringe~ Choreography by: Elizabeth Dawn Snell Original Music by: Jason Vanstone and Al Bee Dancers/Collaborators: Tanya Crowder, Tyler Evan Webb, Sarah McQueston, Jason Vanstone, and Elizabeth Dawn Snell

LOCATION: The George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire Place (East of St. George, south of Bloor)

TICKETS: $10

SHOW TIMES: Wednesday July 1st: 10:30 pm Saturday July 4th: 7:30 pm Sunday July 5th: 12:00 pm Tuesday July 7th: 9:00 pm Thursday July 9th: 11:00 pm Friday July 10th: 2:15 pm Saturday July 11th: 5:15 pm PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO LATE COMERS ADMITTED

Fringe hotline: 416 966 1062 / www.fringetoronto.com

Media contact: Elizabeth Dawn Snell | 647 206 2154 | [email protected] | artistsplay.com HeartSurge – Synopsis

What happens when, in the beat of a heart, the inner rhythms that drive us change?

Discover one man’s journey of pain, hope and revitalization, through human emotion and intense physicality. A joyful Viennese waltz is interrupted by a heart murmur. Three dancers morph into a sinewy pulsating heart, magnifying the physical representation of heart surgery. Through powerful elevated duets, heartfelt struggle becomes a mutual push to recovery. Introducing a character who’s steadfast confidence about his obstacle brings the audience gently along in the story while intertwining social waltz with contemporary dance. Patient becomes his own healer in a compelling and emotional journey.

Based on a true story, Alan Page shared his experience of emotions, physical being and factual, medical information associated with his own heart surgery.

647.206.2154 - [email protected] - www.artistsplay.com HeartSurge – About The Company

Emotionally engaging, thought provoking and highly physical performances, Artists’ Play offers a silent conversation between the performer and the audience. Artists’ Play Dance Theatre creates emotionally engaging and unpredictable performance. Under the direction of the widely versatile and dynamic dancer, choreographer and educator Elizabeth Dawn Snell, the company works in many styles of dance with equal emphasis on expression and pure physicality, the beauty and the absurdity of reality. A core member of the company, composer and sound designer of Artists’ Play dance theatre, Jason Vanstone brings an original and diverse quality of music to the company. He works closely with the movement style to create soundscapes and scores, which capture the essence of the particular project. Artists’ Play has appeared on many stages around Toronto and across Canada, at festivals such as fFida 2005, fFida 2006, Squiggfest 2007, Atlantic Fringe Festival 2007 and Toronto Fringe 2008. Other performances include the Bata Shoe Museum, Gala for Toronto Fringe 2008 and various venues throughout Toronto with bands and solo artists. What came from a largely improvisation based collective, has now grown into a company which produces short and full- length works. Recently Artists’ Play Dancers were featured in a video installation for an art gallery opening reception and can be seen on artistsplay.com Artists’ Play dance theatre has many distinct moods. Movement styles range from modern, jazz, ballet and tango, while performance styles lend from silent films, physical theatre and real life. www.artistsplay.com

647.206.2154 - [email protected] - www.artistsplay.com Company Bios for HeartSurge

Elizabeth Dawn Snell Artistic Director/Choreographer/Performer Elizabeth is the founder and artistic director of Artists’ Play. She has performed and curated “Artists’ Play …a Cabaret!” for the last six years. This has brought her to work closely with various independent painters, musicians and dancers. As she delved into comedy, tango, and improvisation and maintained her classical training, Elizabeth began her company, Artists’ Play Dance Theatre. Elizabeth has performed with Corpus, Parahumans Dance Theatre, The International Tango Festival, and with various independent choreographers. She has choreographed musicals with the likes of Neelin High School, Artists Against War and Stage Hanna. She has shown her own work at the Festival of Independent Dance Artists (fFida), Atlantic Fringe Festival, Squiggfest and the Toronto Fringe Festival 2008. Hailing from Manitoba, Elizabeth was trained classically at the Brandon School of Dance and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and was mentored by the likes of Arnold Spohr. She was introduced to Jazz and the styles of Bob Fosse at JazzArt in Kentucky, modern at Grant MacEwan, furthered her versatility at Banff Centre of Fine Arts, and then graduated from the George Brown Dance Diploma Program where she studied under Ballet Jorgen. In her teaching experience she has traveled to England and toured with Parahumans Dance Theatre, lead by Dave Wilson, where she facilitated workshops for children in public schools. Elizabeth has had the opportunity to work for Arts for Children and teach dance in public schools throughout the year and was the dance instructor in the AFC Arts Adventure camp in 2007. Presently, Elizabeth is Artistic Director of her own dance school where she is the instructor of children and adults in ballet, jazz and creative movement. She continues to create solo and group work for various festivals and venues throughout Toronto and Canada. Jason Vanstone Composer/Sound Design/Performer A musician and dancer, Jason came to Toronto from the west many years ago. He was trained in Jazz from the beginning and studied at Ryerson University; there he worked with the likes of David Earle, D.A. Hoskins and Nadia Potts. Jason has been performing with Artists’ Play dance theatre for over four years now, having co-choreographed, performed and composed the music in many instances. Jason has performed for various bands, Bata Shoe Museum, and most recently in two improvisation performances with Parahumans Dance Theatre. Having his own music project, Along the Lines, Jason Vanstone’s creation “A City Reflection,” was showcased as part of Artists’ Play Collective’s “Love & Life” in the 2007 Atlantic Fringe Festival. In 2008 Jason showcased his “quirky, upbeat and fun” music “Ball and Chain” and “Chair Dance” in The Reservation at the Toronto Fringe Festival 2008.

647.206.2154 - [email protected] - www.artistsplay.com Company Bios for HeartSurge continued…

Tanya Crowder Collaborator/Performer Tanya Crowder is the Artistic Director of HOWDARESHE Productions, an umbrella for her many artistic projects and is the founder and Artistic Director of the popular dance series Dance Matters, which is now in its’ third season. Tanya is a member of Kaeja d’Dance and has danced for many esteemed independent choreographers. Commissioned works include Series 8:08 Season Finale, Cawthra Park Arts High School Spring Showcase (2007), Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival, and Vernissage (Studio 303). Recent projects include: a collaborative project with Kaeja d’Dance and Soulpepper Theatre, Karen Kaeja’s Wedding Threads at GCDF, and dancing in Pam Johnsons’ show "Brother, can you spare a dime?" at the Winchester Theatre.

Sarah McQueston: Dancer/Collaborator Sarah McQueston grew up in Newmarket, Ontario, she is a graduate of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre and has studied dance at York University and studied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. She has trained internationally in intensive settings at the Bates Dance Festival, Doug Varone and Dancers, AHHA Productions, and Peggy Baker Dance Projects. McQueston has performed the works of such notable artists as Peter Chin, Molissa Fenley, Danny Grossman, Ame Henderson, Christopher House, Sasha Ivanochko, James Kudelka, Louis Laberge-Côté, Meagan O’Shea, Julia Sasso, Darryl Tracy, Doug Varone, among others. Over her career, she has had the opportunity to perform for audiences in New York, Maine, Montreal, and Toronto. McQueston has performed and presented her work at Series 8:08, International Dance Day, Nuit Blanche, coexisDance, the Junction Arts Festival, Lady Fest, and the Toronto International Dance Festival. She has performed with the Parahumans Dance Theatre and has danced in a Bravo!FACT film. McQueston is also the recipient of the Millenium Excellence Award, and was an Hnatyshyn Foundation Award nominee for contemporary dance.

647.206.2154 - [email protected] - www.artistsplay.com Company Bios for HeartSurge continued…

Tyler Evan Webb Collaborator/Performer Tyler graduated with a B.A. Honours in Theatre at York University in the Devised Performance stream. Tyler appeared in the Aurora dinner theatre production of Suitethearts, and most recently in York’s productions of Not Wanted on the Voyage, Comedy of Vanity and Raisin’ the Spirits. Tyler has studied dance intensively for fifteen years, has taught at national dance conventions and is now a principal dancer with Cadance. He is currently a fourth year member with the J Force, a promotional dance team for Toronto Blue Jays’ live entertainment. Tyler’s recent film work includes Feist’s 1234 music video and an ItalPasta commercial for national T.V. At York, Tyler assistant directed with Miroslaw Polatynski on Lynda Barry’s Comeek Theatre 7 Deadly Monsters, and directed Treespeak for Playground Festival at York. Tyler performed in Hairspray’s You Can’t Stop the Beat for a Canon Christmas Gala and York’s Devised Ensemble site specific. For his graduating performance, he collectively wrote and performed Lifeline, chronicling the lives of everyday people living through extreme circumstances in a hospital setting. Tyler is excited to be collaborating with Artists’ Play dance theatre for the 2009 Fringe Festival.

Savannah K. Hoag Stage Manager Savannah was born in Toronto, Ontario. At age 4 she began, upon her own request, to take ballet classes at Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement. Her love of dance lead her to Etobicoke School of The Arts, and then to The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, where she recently graduated. It was at STDT that she was introduced to stage management. Hoag quickly became involved in many student shows produced by her peers, which lead to work outside of the school. Her professional work includes several shows for The Pia Bouman School including annual productions of Nutcracker, YMI, and the Let’s Dance Festival. She has had the privilege of stage managing Tanya Crowder’s solo show Falling To Grace, Desiraeda’s self-titled show at The Toronto Fringe Festival, and York University’s Spring Loaded. Upcoming projects include work for Darryl Tracy, and Artists’ Play dance theatre, which she is thrilled to be a part of.

647.206.2154 - [email protected] - www.artistsplay.com Contact Sheet for HeartSurge Artists’ Play dance theatre @ Headshots by: Kathryn Palmateer HeartSurge Stills by: Marty MacDougall 1) APDT_ElizabethHeadshot1.jpg Elizabeth Dawn Snell

2) APDT_ElizabethHeadshot2.jpg 3) APDT_HeartSurgeStill1.jpg Elizabeth Dawn Snell Elizabeth Dawn Snell & Jason Vanstone

4) APDT_HeartSurgeStill2.jpg 5) APDT_HeartSurgeStill3.jpg Elizabeth Dawn Snell Jason Vanstone

6) APDT_JasonHeadshot1.jpg 7) APDT_JasonHeadshot2.jpg Jason Vanstone Jason Vanstone HeartSurge – Reviews for Artists’ Play:

Elizabeth Dawn Snell’s site-specific “HeartSurge” deserves a mention. The dance was a tribute to her friend Alan Page, who had undergone heart surgery. The piece for four dancers was a journey through illness and recovery through the metaphor of lyrical, emotional movement… the piece made a strong impact…

The Lovers, choreographed by AnaLuisa Leao (Almada), symbolizes (to me anyways) love's ability to see beyond the masks we wear and the different paths that lead us to self-discovery and subsequently, the discovery of others. Dancers Elizabeth Dawn Snell and Jason Vanstone brought vulnerability and intensity to these love-anguished characters. The dancers moved upstage and downstage, creating tension through contrasting momentum and finally, the revealing moment that closes the dance. Overall, an excellent use of stage elements and engaging choreography!

The Reservation – Taken from the Eye Weekly Fringe Comment Board rainbow Jul 10, 2008 12:18 AM upbeat & fun I loved this show, & went back for a second time with my family(kids & husband). The restaurant scenes all felt familiar- as a lifer in hospitality; I could relate! I had a smile on my face through the entire show. The chair dancing was so creative, & the "waiter walk" stayed with till today! tutor Jul 9, 2008 2:42 PM The Reservation The Sat. matinee was very entertaining! I recommend this creative, interesting dance-drama show to families--I think young people would really love it, and it's a great way to introduce them to live theatre at a very reasonable price. I certainly felt I got my money's worth. These performers are delightful, and the level of dance was surprising. We especially enjoyed the tall blonde male dancer, both in his too brief solos and when he paired with the beautiful redhead. I would love to see the two of them in a longer "pas de deux". Wow! Go see this show--you'll love the music, too. Congrats to the company! jumo Jul 8, 2008 3:00 PM captivating and entertaining I saw this show on Tuesday July 8 and thought it was extremely well-executed. The Reservation had me captivated from start to finish. Elizabeth Dawn Snell's choreography was fun, passionate, and consistently entertaining, the chair routines were original and ingenious, and the dancing especially from Tyler Evan Webb was fantastic. I also loved the recurring foot motif with the waiters walking. Four stars easily.

647.206.2154 - [email protected] - www.artistsplay.com