Community Garden

Ontario Culture Days & retrograde: dance in motion present

October 13th, 2024 | TCO Rooftop Terrace @ The Niagara Artists Centre

Community Garden is a new dance work by retrograde: dance in motion, created in collaboration with a collective of community movement makers. It has been commissioned by Ontario Culture Days, and developed over the 2024 Festival.

This piece is inspired by ideas created and cultivated from our community workshops; embodying the fruit of our explorations around growing flourishing communities.

Built on both structure and improvisation - much like a garden - this piece moves organically, through phases, like seasons. Together, with improvising musicians, it requires deep listening and attention to one another, generosity of spirit, space to explore, and collaboration with one another.

We invite you to watch and listen with the same attentiveness, and a curiosity towards what might inspire your own participation in community development, in a greener earth, and in human flourishing.

Thank you for being here.

a note on the piece.

Learn more about our residency here

Angeline Judge (she/her)

Christina Chirico (she/her)

Kosar Dakhilalian (she/her)

Meaghan Morris (she/her)

Michelle Shortt (any)

Nathan Fagundo (he/him)

Skye Rogers (she/her)

Vanessa Gemme (she/her)

Vik Mudge (they/he)

created and performed by:

Directors / Producers: Vik Mudge and Skye Rogers

Lighting Design/Operation: Mike Enns (he/him)

Guitar: Joel Galenkamp (he/him)

Piano: Mike Enns (he/him)

Projection Design: Leia Mahoney (she/they)

Photographer: Joel Galenkamp (he/him)

Videographer: Leia Mahoney (she/they)

Performance Photographer: Lauren Garbutt (she/her)

Produced by retrograde: dance in motion in partnership with Ontario Culture Days and the City of St. Catharines.

production team:

meet the collective.

Vik Mudge (they/he) is a trans non-binary dancer, choreographer and facilitator currently living on Treaty 3 territory in the city colonially known as St. Catharines. With experience and training in various dance styles, performance and acting techniques, and visual arts disciplines, Vik’s creativity stems from the intersection of these interests and their journey towards healing and self-actualization.
2023 marked the beginning of a focused creative journey for Vik, as they developed and premiered an anthology dance show (“the Body and the Brain”) in collaboration with multi-disciplinary artist Skye Rogers. In 2024, the two would go on to officially announce their partnership as retrograde:dance in motion, with their inaugural project being “Composing Community”, presented by Ontario Culture Days. Vik has previously worked on the development of professional skills through mentorship with dance artist Sid Ryan Eilers from 2022-2024, which led to the creation and presentation of his own dance film (“<3”). In 2023 Vik received the Emerging Artist Award from the City of St. Catharines.
Vik dreams of a creative landscape that’s rich in cross-pollination and diverse voices. They continually strive to connect with folks and artists from all over, further enhancing the web of creativity and community that he strives to spin.

“I dream of a creative landscape where resources are abundant and we can lean on each other for support. This project feels like another stepping stone into the ecosystem we’re all working hard to create.”

Skye Rogers (she/her) is a multidisciplinary performing artist and leader based in Hamilton, Ontario. Rooted in the creation and facilitation of movement and theatre, her creative practice is dearly devoted to making spaces for people to feel at home. Skye was the RBC Apprentice Choreographer with Musical Stage Co. in 2023-24, and is a graduate of Brock University (Arts & Culture Certificate, 2022) and Randolph College for the Performing Arts (Triple Threat Diploma, 2019).
Skye makes much of her own work, and is recognized for her collaborative and wholehearted approach to her process. She choreographs and facilitates several public workshops with her collective retrograde: dance in motion, and is currently devising a new community-engaged play, “Homeward” with her collaborator, Kosar Dakhilalian. She has worked directly with the City of St. Catharines and the City of Hamilton to activate the arts in her communities, and has participated in several artist residencies, including Ontario Culture Days “Creatives in Residence” program and Suitcase in Point’s “Nest” Residency.
On stage, Skye has performed with Frog in Hand (Summer Dances Mixed Bill), Stand Up Dance (ANATOMALIA), and Expect Theatre (Beats + Intentions). On screen, she’s both performed and choreographed in several commercials and music videos, including Madison Violet’s “The Sycamore.” Skye is the choreographer for Spindle Collective and Riot King’s play, “SAMCA,” and has her own teaching practice at The Move Room and the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts.
@whatskyedoes on instagram

“In order for us all to grow and thrive, we too need diversity, we too need deep roots, we too need to learn how to improvise together, and sometimes, we too need to prune things back, so that we can make more room for others to grow.”

Kosar Dakhilalian is a director, writer, and performer based in the traditional land of Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and many other Indigenous peoples, in a city colonially known as St. Catharines.
With a background in literature, Kosar is curious to think beyond text—when stories are embodied, voiced, and resonated. Kosar's current interest lies in pushing the boundaries of traditional script development, exploring how shared discovery can be at the heart of a creative experience. As a facilitator, Kosar strives to create accessible and safer spaces that encourage active seeing, listening, and reflecting. Kosar acknowledges that performing arts spaces have historically been exclusionary to some identities, at different times, and in different geographies, and she tries to create accessible spaces and break barriers both for audiences and performers.
Kosar has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Comparative Literatures and Arts and she was a teaching assistant at the Department of Dramatic Arts, Brock University. She has been an artist in residence with Suitcase in Point and has directed and co-directed multiple plays and is now collaborating with Skye Rogers in the development of a community-engaged play, Homeward.
@kosar.dakhilalian on insta

“I find endless potential for growth and exploration in collective creation.”

Michelle Shortt (any pronouns) is a multidisciplinary artist and performer based in the Niagara region. With a decade of performance experience consisting mostly of theatre, movement is a love of theirs discovered in post-secondary.
They live for taking any opportunity to connect to their community and create new and exciting works. They are passionate about the intersectionality of all forms of art and thinking, and are constantly finding unexpected harmony in research and creation between fields.
They are a recent graduate of Brock University’s Dramatic Arts Honours program, and performed multiple times in conjunction with the department, including as a cast member of Gyllian Raby’s A Vampire Story in 2023, and as a member of Laser Shark Productions 2022-2023, where they were a performer and head of the props department.
Currently, Michelle is training and performing as an aerial circus artist and instructor with Femmes du Feu Creations, as well as studying sports sciences and pursuing other independent artistic projects.
@shortt.shortt on instagram

“We are all part of the community garden, and yet we are all caretakers of it, too. It’s the beauty of the blossoms, the necessity of the fruit, and the inevitable decay that remind me of cycles, small and large, and the reliance on fellowship to keep the cycle going.”

Nathan Fagundo (he/him) is a Bermuda-born performance artist currently operating out of St. Catharines. With an extensive background in technical dance, he has in recent years found a passion for movement as a tool for narrative and emotional purposes, using the physical medium to evoke emotional reactions in collaborators and spectators.
In Bermuda, he was a member of the In Motion Dance Company under the direction of Lizz Pimentel and is a current Dramatic Arts student at Brock University.
His recent work includes a role as collaborating choreographer for Patchwork Productions (2023-2024), and as a performer in multiple other university-produced projects (A Vampire Story, dir. Gyllian Raby 2023; The Mysterious Mind of Molly McGillicuddy, dir. Mike Griffin 2024).
@n.fagundo on Instgram

“It’s an immense privilege to be able to share an experience like this with my friends. It is even more of a privilege to be able to share an experience like this with my community. “

Meaghan was born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario. She began training at the age of 3, eager to follow her older siblings footsteps, she quickly progressed into Competitive dance. During her training Meaghan explored varying styles of dance and developed a keen interest in Contemporary, Modern and Jazz.
Since graduating from the Competitive dance scene Meaghan has refined her teaching skills, and is dedicated to fostering artistic growth and innovation within the community.
Meaghan specializes in creating progressive and captivating choreography that pushes the boundaries of movement while facilitating student growth and engagement. Her approach seamlessly blends artistry with technique and passion, helping dancers discover their full potential both in and outside of the studio
Currently residing in the Niagara Region, Meaghan’s inspiration stems from the ideas of community and human connection. Her goal is to raise awareness of humanitarian causes while co-creating with emerging artists to produce inspiring works that promote societal change.
@miss.meaghann on instagram

“Often, we are pulled away from our innate ability to connect, becoming rigid within societal expectations. This project emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships and creativity through movement, bringing us back to the fundamentals of connection.”

Gemmessa is an ever-curious creative exploring embodied movement, aerial acrobatics, clowning, design and so much more! Drawing from her background in healthcare, her work considers the complexities of human nature.
She is actively contributing to the local improvisation movement scene and collaborating with innovators across disciplines. Through dynamic and textured performances, Gemmessa’s work celebrates the power of play and the beauty of vulnerability.
Gemmessa is an invitation for audiences to rediscover the joy of uninhibited expression and confront and connect with their own complexity.
« Failure is a redirection of energy »
@thefrenchattitude on instagram

“I am keen to contribute my energy in this intersectional community network. I am certain it will push my own limits and strengthen my existing skills as a performer.”

Angeline is a lover of mindful movement, creative expression and all beings. She feels most alive when observing nature, dancing, writing, drawing, painting, learning, playing piano, and practicing therapies integrating sensation, thought, imagination and emotional awareness. Yoga therapy, MBSR, ART and Qi Gong are her favourites.
Professional decades found her in the GTA, helping people find information and common ground as a Library Technician, Records Coordinator and trainer for non-profits, law firms, and health clinics. Too much sitting!
Originally from Niagara Falls, she returned during the pandemic. She now explores nature's diverse beauty, movement and arts daily.
no social media

“I hope to inspire others to stretch out of their shells, root deep and bloom into more movement freedom too.”

Christina is classically trained in Cechetti Ballet and modern dance. Her journey in the world of dance began at the age of 6, competing and receiving awards at various competitions throughout the Niagara Region and spending time at the National Ballet School of Canada in Toronto.
Christina later was exposed to different styles of dance, leading her to join 283 Performing Arts Company, and had the opportunity to perform in numerous community events, including a memorable stint at the Greg Frewin Theatre. One of Christina’s unique experiences includes participating in a dance flash mob featured on an episode of Four Weddings Canada.
Her passion for dance extends beyond performance; she has also embraced the role of teacher, starting with assisting at her local studio and guiding younger students in her high school dance program. Her love for teaching has expanded to adult instruction since 2023.
Looking ahead, Christina aims to pursue barre certification training, further enhancing her teaching and dance expertise. Above all, her goal is to continue nurturing her love for dance while passing on her technical knowledge.
Dance; @xtina.dances
Personal; christinaballerinaa
Where to find me teaching; @bestiesdanceafterdark

“I think this project will be a true testimony to artistry and reimagining dance as an art form.”

thank yous

We wouldn’t be able to do this without the generosity of our partners:
Ontario Culture Days
The City of St. Catharines
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
Niagara Artists Centre
Suitcase in Point
Niagara Falls Culture
The Exchange

Special Thanks To:

Kaitlyn Patience, Ruth Burns, Megan Pimentel, Gladys Lou, Mushtari Afroz and the rest of the ONCD Team

Rosemarie Huber, Russ Donohue, Krysta Boyer and the rest of the FOPAC Team

Matt Caldwell, Natasha Pedros, Steve Remus and the rest of the NAC Team

Deanne Moser, Michael Usling and the rest of the DM Public Team

Gillian Minaker and The Brock News

Kim Van Stygeren

Deanna Jones