is a new contemporary dance partnership that elevates the community through distinctive storytelling experiences.
retrograde is composed of Vik Mudge and Skye Rogers.
We are compelled to explore new methods of creating dance that empowers community development.
We aspire to divert the direction of dance creation and performance in Canada.
retrograde: dance in motion
history.
photo by Lauren Garbutt.
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Explore accessible and collaborative approaches for generating ideas, writing poetry, and creating movement phrases in this Hamilton Arts Week Signature Event!
Join Vik Mudge and Skye Rogers in this two and a half hour workshop at 541 Eatery & Exchange, as we explore a theme using a variety of creative practices to build a collective multi-disciplinary movement piece. All are welcome! Participants do not need to identify as artists, dancers, or writers to participate.
In our commitment to care and accessibility, we will provide some tasty snacks from 541, and have a Care Coordinator and ASL interpreter present to help meet your needs.
If you have any further needs or questions, please contact us, and we will do our best to care for you and your requirements!
Pre-registration required, please click here.
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an exciting new project in collaboration with Ontario Culture Days, 2024.
coming soon. -
a new dance film choreographed by Vik Mudge, in partnership with the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program and Aeris Korper.
click here for the trailer.
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the debut dance piece from retrograde, premiered at In the Soil Festival, 2023.
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a free community workshop created in partnership with the City of St. Catharines in June 2023, assisting with arts-based research for the creation of their new Culture Plan.
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private offerings for your business, workplace, or classroom.
contact us to learn more.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
The Body and The Brain at In the Soil, 2023. Credit to Lauren Garbutt.
Still from <3, a dance film choreographed by Vik Mudge. Credit to Taylor Wallace.
Still from <3, a dance film choreographed by Vik Mudge. Credit to Taylor Wallace.
Still from <3, a dance film choreographed by Vik Mudge. Credit to Taylor Wallace.
Still from <3, a dance film choreographed by Vik Mudge. Credit to Taylor Wallace.
Still from <3, a dance film choreographed by Vik Mudge. Credit to Taylor Wallace.
Still from <3, a dance film choreographed by Vik Mudge. Credit to Taylor Wallace.
Still from <3, a dance film choreographed by Vik Mudge. Credit to Taylor Wallace.
Movements of Culture, a workshop facilitated in partnership with The City of St. Catharines, 2023. Credit to Danny Custodio.
Movements of Culture, a workshop facilitated in partnership with The City of St. Catharines, 2023. Credit to Danny Custodio.
Movements of Culture, a workshop facilitated in partnership with The City of St. Catharines, 2023. Credit to Danny Custodio.
Movements of Culture, a workshop facilitated in partnership with The City of St. Catharines, 2023. Credit to Danny Custodio.
Movements of Culture, a workshop facilitated in partnership with The City of St. Catharines, 2023. Credit to Danny Custodio.
Movements of Culture, a workshop facilitated in partnership with The City of St. Catharines, 2023. Credit to Danny Custodio.
Movements of Culture, a workshop facilitated in partnership with The City of St. Catharines, 2023. Credit to Danny Custodio.
Movements of Culture, a workshop facilitated in partnership with The City of St. Catharines, 2023. Credit to Danny Custodio.
Movements of Culture, a workshop facilitated in partnership with The City of St. Catharines, 2023. Credit to Danny Custodio.
who we are.
In our work, we value the representation of stories neglected through time, the exploration of movement with keen curiosity, and the innovation of new landscapes through challenging the current norms. In our process of meaning-making, we pledge to maintain a posture of attention; taking our time in the embodiment of ideas, and invitation; welcoming our audiences into motion alongside us - whether they’re inspired to make their own art, or generate social change.
retrograde is composed of Vik Mudge and Skye Rogers.
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Vik Mudge (he/they) is a trans non-binary dance artist, choreographer and instructor from St Catharines. Vik’s experience in dance and performance is very diverse - having grown up with a fair amount of exposure to the arts. As a queer person, Vik’s work is heavily inspired by his continuous journey to heal from a lifetime of trauma as well as the desire to finally get to know his true self.
Vik often finds inspiration in unexpected ways. Their skills are rather multi-faceted, having experience in stage management, beauty and special effects makeup, as well as performance experience in many dance styles, musical theatre, clown, mime and mask. These skills matched with Vik’s passion for design and visual art has resulted in a style of movement and performance that challenge’s the audience’s perception of dance and that encourages the audience to ask “what am I looking at right now?” As a performer, his personal philosophy is that his work should place value in feeling good, instead of looking good. Vik’s work is authentic and raw, often incorporating improvisation and instant composition techniques.
Vik continues to pursue professional development by engaging in residency and mentorship opportunities, and tries to get in the studio as much as possible to continue to create and explore for projects. He is currently engaged in a co-mentorship with dance artist Sid Ryan Eilers, thanks to a grant from Canada Council for the Arts, and was also awarded the City of St Catharines Emerging Artist Award for 2023.
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Skye Rogers (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist and leader based in Hamilton, Ontario. With roots in dance, theatre, and music, her creative practice is dearly devoted to cultivating embodied communities. She is a graduate of the Randolph College for the Performing Arts (Triple Threat, 2019) and Brock University (Studies in Arts and Culture, 2022).
Skye’s style is collage-like; informed by the shapes of her surroundings, and the groove of her musical pulse. She facilitates unique arts experiences that inspire curiosity and a sense of home in her communities. Skye has created a variety of her own work through several artist residencies, exploring choreography, writing, installations, and producing in collaboration with diverse artists. Most recently, she was Apprentice Choreographer for “...The Great Comet…” (Musical Stage/ Crows/ RBC), and led workshops for the creation of choreography for “SAMCA” (Riot King/ Spindle Collective).