March 03, 2003 -

OTTAWA -- Exceptional Canadian dancer-choreographer Tedd Robinson (Artistic Director of 10 Gates Dancing) has choreographed, and performs in, three original duets - with renowned partners Margie Gillis, Louise Lecavalier, and Mako Kawano. The world premiere of Reclusive Conclusions and other duets, a National Arts Centre (NAC) co-production, is presented in the Studio of the NAC from Thursday March 20 to Saturday March 22, 2003 at 20:00.

Marking a major departure from his usual solo performances, each of these duets, accompanied by live music, is inspired by the creative power of Robinson's three renowned dance partners: Canadian dance icons Margie Gillis and Louise Lecavalier, and Japan's Mako Kawano.

Margie Gillis: Le Figaro in Paris wrote "Her gestures surpass the power of the word: once she has touched you, she will penetrate to the very depths of your soul, leaving behind an image you can never forget."

Louise Lecavalier: Melody Maker in London calls her "The most tragically brilliant dancer alive today. A flame on legs."

Mako Kawano: The New York Times wrote "In that solo... [she] moved luminously from the ordinary to the eternal. Thin, long-legged and waiflike, with an expression that telegraphed both sadness and anger...[she] gave an electrifying performance."

Although the duets provoke images of the dignity in human frailty, the powerful creative momentum of Tedd Robinson's process adds to the openness required to help resolve the complex issues of survival which plague us always.

10 Gates Dancing Inc. was formed in 1998 to promote the development and performance of contemporary dance creations. Through the teaching, creation, and performance of these works, 10 Gates Dancing provides entry points for the education of the public to contemporary and theatrical dance. Since its inception, the company has created an exceptional body of work for some of the most renowned dance artists and companies in Canada and has held a unique role in the field of dance through its mentorship activities with choreographers in Canada and abroad. The company is based in Ottawa and works on national and international stages.

Tedd Robinson was born in Ottawa, graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University (Toronto, Canada), and studied at The School of The Toronto Dance Theatre and with eminent British visual theatre artist Lindsay Kemp. Robinson first rose to prominence as Artistic Director of Contemporary Dancers in Winnipeg, Canada (1984 to 1990), where he created highly theatrical ensemble works. Having returned to Ottawa in 1990 to pursue a solo career, he is now firmly established as a choreographer, educator and solo artist whose critically acclaimed, award-winning and utterly unique works have won him a multitude of commissions and an international schedule of touring and teaching. His critically acclaimed work Rokudo: six destinies in three steps received the 1998 Chalmers National Dance Award. From 1994 to 2000, Robinson was a practicing monk of hakukaze soto zen in Ottawa. Robinson is Artistic Director of 10 Gates Dancing Inc.

Reclusive Conclusions and other duets is co-produced by 10 Gates Dancing Inc., the National Arts Centre and l'Agora de la danse (Montreal) with support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Japan-Canada Fund, the Laidlaw Foundation and the Ontario Arts Council.

Tedd Robinson performs in the Studio of the National Arts Centre on Thursday March 20, Friday March 21, and Saturday March 22, 2003 at 20:00. Tickets are $21.50, and $11.50 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card). Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office (in person) and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at (613) 755-1111; Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC's website at www.nac-cna.ca. Last-minute tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students are $9.50 at the Live Rush Centre in the NAC Foyer after 18:00 on the day of performance only, upon presentation of a valid 'Live Rush' card.

Photos for all dance events can be viewed and downloaded at: www.nac-cna.ca/media/

Information:
Gerald Morris
Marketing and Media Relations, NAC Dance Department
(613) 947-7000, ext. 249
gmorris@nac-cna.ca

Margie Gillis
Co-Choreographer / Performer

Margie Gillis is an internationally acclaimed solo dance artist. As choreographer and performer of more than eighty solo dance works, she has mesmerized audiences and earned rave reviews throughout the world for her personal, emotional and dramatic portrayals of human hopes, fears, joys and anguish. Born in Montreal, Ms. Gillis comes from an extremely talented family, including the late Christopher Gillis, with whom she shared a very special partnership. In 1979 she introduced modern dance to China, being the first performer, teacher and lecturer in the art since the Revolution. Her extensive touring has taken her throughout India, Europe, the Middle East and South and North America. She holds the distinction of being named Cultural Ambassador for both Canada and Québec. In January 1988, Ms. Gillis was appointed to the Order of Canada for her "outstanding abilities as a solo performer and choreographer" (the first modern dancer to receive this award). She won a Gemini Award in 1998 for the CBC Special documentary Wild Hearts in Strange Times and in January 2001, she received the Career Grant from the Quebec Arts Council in recognition of her exceptional contribution to Quebec culture.

Louise Lecavalier
Performer

Louise Lecavalier has been a professional dancer since 1977, when she began performing with such companies as Nouvelle Aire and Pointépiénu in Montreal, as well as for various independent choreographers in Montreal and New York. She joined La La La Human Steps in 1981 for its production of Oranges, and was a regular member of the company until 2001. In 1985, Louise Lecavalier became the first Canadian to earn the Bessie Award in New York for her performance in Businessman in the Process of Becoming an Angel. She performed in Human Sex in 1985, New Demons in 1987, Infante in 1991, and in 2 in 1995, mesmerizing audiences worldwide. In the winter of 1998, she was a lecturer in dance at the Université du Québec à Montréal. In 1999, Louise Lecavalier received the Jean A. Chalmers National Dance Award.

Mako Kawano
Performer

Mako Kawano began dancing as a child and has become one of Japan's pre-eminent modern dancers. She studied modern dance under Mizuomi Ikeda, ballet under Emiko Suzuki, and received a domestic internship from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Since 1987, she has been a member of the Natural Dance Theatre, a company lead by Shinji Nakamura, who is a backbone choreographer in Japan, and performs a vital role as a soloist for Nakanura's work. Her performing has won rave reviews around the globe, and has been awarded numerous honours including Best Dancer of the Year 2000 by the Contemporary Dance Association of Japan. She and Tedd Robinson first worked together as part of the unique cross-cultural project CJ8, where she performed a duet with Mitsutake Kasai in Robinson's Grey Suit but Black Dress.