"I come from a tradition that believes something of significance can be said through dance, and only through dance."
Dancetheatre David Earle has been bringing together dancers, choreographers, composers, and visual artists for over 20 years. Since 2001, we have been creating space for dance artists within the vibrant arts community in Guelph, Ontario; delivering workshops, classes and creating dance works to be performed across the country, and around the world.
Founded in 1997 by the acclaimed Canadian choreographer, dancer and teacher to support the continued creation and preservation of his repertoire, Dancetheatre David Earle serves as a forum for artists whose concern is the expression of humanity in dance.
David Earle is a Canadian trailblazer, a master choreographer and teacher, and a cultural icon. His dancers are some of the most physically eloquent, powerful, and individual artists in Canada.
Although he is deeply faithful to the philosophies of his greatest teachers, especially Martha Graham, he struck out on his own path immediately after returning to his native country in 1968. He had absorbed New York modernism and dance’s radical postmodern experiments.
He had helped to launch the first two seasons of the London Contemporary Dance Theatre in England. He was now ready to create his own work and so, with Patricia Beatty and Peter Randazzo – Toronto Dance Theatre – went on to twenty-eight years of triumphant international tours. They were adored and sometimes vilified for their provocative sensuality, theatricalism, virtuosity and emotional honesty.
In 1996 he launched Dancetheatre David Earle, and many of the dancers followed to study and perform – often with live music ensembles, multi-media collaborations and new creation to contemporary scores.
DtDE gave its first performance with the Penderecki String Quartet at the Elora Music Festival in 1997. Along with David’s vast historical repertoire, DtDE has presented 60 new works as part of 130 public performances, including commissions from the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Soundstreams Canada, NUMUS (Kitchener-Waterloo), Open Ears Festival, the Guelph Chamber Choir, and the Gryphon Trio.
Located in the heart of the Kitchener-Waterloo/Toronto corridor, DtDE brings together musicians and composers with dance artists and choreographers.
David Earle is dedicated to the beauty and musicality of dance, making him stand out in a medium that often rejects both. Indeed, his sense for the unity of music and dance is legendary, and his works for large groups, set to such compositions as Mozart’s Requiem, still astonish at every performance.
His openness to experiment and his willingness to challenge superficiality and cynicism mean that his work speaks forcefully to contemporary audiences. He is truly unique in his ability to reach and to move spectators of every background, whatever their familiarity with dance and its traditions.
The work of David Earle has a long history and continues to evolve, remaining true to its roots as well as responsive to the world around us.
Teaching and Mentorship
In 2001, to support its commitment to developing the next generation of artists, Dancetheatre David Earle established studios in Guelph, Ontario, to provide consistent and ongoing opportunities for professional level dance studies, as well as offering the wider creative community a range of classes to open and strengthen both body and spirit. DtDE offers technique classes to professional and pre-professional dancers, and to adult beginners.
Through Graham-based modern dance classes at all levels, the company established a centre for professional level dance in Guelph that encompasses all the core elements of professional dance practice. Courses are led by highly qualified instructors, who are well respected as teachers and performing modern dance artists.
Dancetheatre David Earle also offers masterclasses and guest artist workshops at a range of other dance venues - often in conjunction with universities and colleges - locally, nationally, and internationally.