Surrealism, discovery, and the power of humour: With Alyssa Martin

Alyssa is a surrealist dance theatre choreographer based in Toronto/Tkaronto. As the founder and Artistic Director of Rock Bottom Movement,  she has become recognized for her  biting choreographic style and signature sense of humour. Her recent works include Big Time Miss, commissioned by Fall for Dance North, and Sex Dalmatian produced in collaboration with Citadel et Compagnie. As an independent choreographer, she has created new works for companies including The National Ballet of Canada (Desperate Drama of Red and Sugar Water), Alberta Ballet (Petrushka – Soft Punch), Toronto Dance Theatre (Bin Chicken) as well as for independent artists Susie Burpee and Linnea Swan (PUS). Her penchant for transdisciplinary exploration has inspired collaborations that span theatre, circus, film, musical theatre and opera including four seasons at The Stratford Festival, and work with Canadian Stage and The Coal Mine Theatre. Alyssa has been recognized with Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Choreography, Direction and Outstanding Production in both the Dance and Theatre divisions, as well as the Canadian Stage Award for Direction, and is a Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize nominee.  She creates her work through a uniquely collaborative, anti-patriarchal approach.