is a 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.

ā€˜Community Garden,ā€ commissioned by Ontario Culture Days.
Photo by Lauren Garbutt.

  • Ontario Culture Days Creatives in Residence, Vik Mudge and Skye Rogers (retrograde: dance in motion) took up residence in the Niagara Region throughout the 2024 Festival, activating the community through public workshops and collective creation for the premiere of a new dance work, ā€œCommunity Garden.ā€

    Click here for information on the full span of our residency.

  • This 2024 Hamilton Arts Week Signature Event brought folks from all over Hamilton (and beyond) to 541 Eatery & Exchange for an afternoon of collaborative art-making. Activities included group idea generation, poetry writing, and movement creation.

    Check out our highlight reel from the event here!

  • a new dance film choreographed by Vik Mudge, in partnership with the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program and Aeris Kƶrper.

  • the debut dance piece from retrograde, premiered at In the Soil Festival, 2023.

    click here for the show program.

  • 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.

  • private offerings for your business, workplace, or classroom.

    see below for testimonials.

    contact us to learn more.

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 theyā€™re inspired to make their own art, or generate social change.

retrograde is composed of Vik Mudge and Skye Rogers.

  • Vik Mudge (he/they) is a trans non-binary dance artist, choreographer and instructor from St Catharines. Vikā€™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, Vikā€™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 Vikā€™s passion for design and visual art has resulted in a style of movement and performance that challengeā€™s the audienceā€™s perception of dance and that encourages the audience to ask ā€œwhat am I looking at right now?ā€ As a performer, his personal philosophy is that his work should place value in feeling good, instead of looking good. Vikā€™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.

  • 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).

    Skyeā€™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 ā€œ...The Great Cometā€¦ā€ (Musical Stage/ Crows/ RBC), and led workshops for the creation of choreography for ā€œSAMCAā€ (Riot King/ Spindle Collective).

  • "Skye & Vik orchestrated an exceptional team-building experience, elevating our unity and connection beyond expectations. Their innovative approach fostered genuine camaraderie, blending laughter with meaningful vulnerability. An unforgettable journey that truly unites any team!"

    Colleen M., Caddle CRO; Participant in Team Building Workshop

  • Our company set up a Movement Session with retrograde for one of our monthly Team Building Gatherings. I really didn't know what to expect but the idea of a Movement Session with co-workers felt weird out of my personal comfort zone. But I said to myself "give it a chance". And was I ever glad I did. The session was filled with movements and actions that really focus on "letting your hair down", being silly with coworkers and team building in alignment of company values. It was brilliant actually and I left feeling with more energy, less stress and more connection to my team and company. My fav was the dance off circle and busting out moves that I thought had long eluded me. Nope, I still got it! Sitting in boardrooms trying to instill values to employees is so yesterday, coming out of one's shell with teammates and embracing company values through creativity. movement and "silliness" should be a new norm! I highly recommend other companies try it! Thank you Skye and Vik for making it so easy to come out of my comfort zone. You were an excellent moderator for this session!

    Mark S., VP, Brand Partnerships, Caddle Inc.; Team Building Workshop Participant

  • retrograde: dance in motion creates inspiring, safe spaces to move freely, and to feel moved. Their workshops are inclusive and accessible across genders, cultural origins, age, physical abilities and socioeconomic status. Promoted principles of "Pay what you can" and "Shades of participation" empowered me to take new action towards healing and growth despite financial and physical challenges. Rooted in, and woven through their teachings are the mental health magic of mindfulness, consent check-ins, and clear communication of boundaries. This is deeper than follow-the-leader, top-down dance. This is articulate, collaborative, body-mind skill-building. Embodied explorations created by Skye and Vik quicken my heartbeat, lift my spirit, and expand my sense of what's possible for me.

    Angeline J., Workshop Participant, Collective Member for ā€œCommunity Gardenā€