Winter Double Bill

ft. "FACE RIDER" by Fran Chudnoff and "Odd-Sensual" by Andrew Tay

February 8 - 10 and February 15 - 17, 2024
7:30 PM ET at the Winchester Street Theatre
MATINEE SHOW ADDED: Saturday February 17 @ 2:00 PM ET
ASL Interpretation at February 15 performance
Livestream broadcast of February 16 performance Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester Street, Toronto, ON, M4X 1B2 (VIEW MAP)

Accessibility Info: ASL Interpretation at February 15 performance. Unfortunately the Winchester Street Theatre is not currently wheelchair accessible. Full accessibility details: https://tdt.org/your-visit/accessibility/

BUY TICKETS

Vibrant, colourful aesthetics and unique collective experiences shape TDT’s first mainstage production of the 2023/24 season, a double bill featuring FACE RIDER by Fran Chudnoff, in collaboration with Driftnote and Angela Cabrera, and Odd-Sensual by Andrew Tay, with performances from the TDT ensemble members.

Building on the lore and iconography of the hermit, the hog, and the himbo, FACE RIDER is a queer, indie sleaze swamp dump. A slippery bog made for gender deviance, glittery resurrection, and live laugh loving the mess of togetherness. A performance that aims to reimagine the unsettling nature of aspirational imagery through the gloomy melodies of mid west emo, confessional lyrics, and the aesthetics of the unresolvable mundane. Made in collaboration with Driftnote and Angela Cabrera, FACE RIDER is a diver on the edge of a high board imagining its body missing a rotation and smacking through the waters of transformation – sincerity – energy – precision – mess – presence.

Created through conversations with members of the TDT ensemble, Odd-Sensual seeks to create an intimate environment where performers explore the moment before the body finds release. Taking individual approaches, 4 dancers practice together in a sensorial playground fluctuating between meditative reflection, artistic edging and pleasurable possession. A sensitive work that is curious about the point where things tip over, and finds a strange euphoria in the effort of holding back from completion.

Ticket Options + Livestream

TDT believes that cost should not be a barrier to experiencing live performance and is offering tickets on a sliding scale model for this season’s productions. Ranging from $10 to $45, audiences are invited to select whichever ticket price option that works best for them. There will be a livestream of the February 16 performance ($5 – $15 tickets) and the recording will also remain on-demand to livestream ticket holders until 7:30 PM on March 1. Livestream tickets will be available for sale until 4:30 PM on March 1.

Cal, Ryan Kostyniuk, Jessica Mak, Roberto Soria for
“FACE RIDER”. Photo by Roya DelSol.

Megumi Kokuba, Peter Kelly, Yuichiro Inoue, Erin Poole for
“Odd-Sensual”. Photo by Roya DelSol.

Advisory: Potential environmental conditions during the show, including the possibility of heavy haze, artificial smoke, fragrances, and loud noises for special effects. For sensitive concerns or additional information, please contact info@tdt.org.

About the Choreographers

Photo by Krista Newey

Fran Chudnoff

Fran also known as Franz (they/them), is a Tkaronto based millennial, with a BFA in performance, and paying rent as a multidisciplinary artist. They are a dance maker, video artist, photographer, and a true beginner when it comes to learning 3D modelling and digital illustration. Their work is in conversation with post internet aesthetics, gender deviance, and shaping a “social aura” through aspirational imagery.

In 2020, Fran completed a 3-year Emerging Artist research residency at Dancemakers Centre for Creation with Driftnote where together they created the supported solo work – “FACE RIDER”.

Their film “ALL THINGS GROW” is an official selection in the Regards Hybrides’ permanent Collection of Canadian screendance works. It is one of fifty-five short and long films produced between 1980 and 2020 that represent a wide range of cinechoreographic approaches.

Fran is currently performing and touring in Andrew Tay and Stephen Thompson’s “MAKE BANANA CRY” – a subversive runway featuring a parade of body politics prepared to trouble the Western gaze.

Photo by McKenzie James

Andrew Tay

Andrew Tay is the Artistic Director of Toronto Dance Theatre and is a multifaceted performance curator, choreographer and DJ. He co-founded Wants&Needs danse with Sasha Kleinplatz in Montreal, producing the wildly popular dance events Short&Sweet and Piss in the Pool, which take place in non-traditional venues. Andrew became the first Artistic Curator of the Centre de Creation O Vertigo (CCOV) Montreal (2017), and was named on the list of “50 under 50 shaping tomorrow” by Concordia University (2022). His work has been presented in contexts such as Kampnagel (Germany), Fierce Festival (UK), MDT (Sweden) and Festival TransAmeriques (Montreal). He is known for bringing unconventional thinking to dance institutions, and has facilitated dozens of critical thinking and discussion events centered around relevant issues within the performance scene. Tay actively thinks about community, irreverence and resistance in both his artistic and curatorial practices.

Production Credits

Artistic Director: Andrew Tay
Rehearsal Director: Rosemary James
Lighting Designer: Chris Malkowski
Production Manager: Aden Altamirano
Stage Manager: Nazerah Carlisle
Assistant Stage Manager: Monique Danielle
Technical Director: Jasper Jacobs
Livestream Director: Eddie Kastrau
Camera Operators: Jack Reslinski, Allen Kaeja

Running Show Time: 90 minutes

FACE RIDER

Concept and Direction: Fran Chudnoff
Choreography was created in collaboration with dancers, musicians and designers
TikTok Dance Samples: @nellyohmelly, @drew, @i.amjustin, @jnazion, @yungsir.03
Performers: Cal, Fran Chudnoff, Driftnote, Ryan Kostyniuk, Jessica Mak, Roberto Soria
Sound Designer: Driftnote
Costume Designer: Angela Cabrera
Big Silver Bow inspired by Kabuté World @kabute.world
Scenography: Fran Chudnoff, Sandra Chudnoff, Siwar Soria, Aden C. Altamirano
Outside Eye: Eroca Nicols, Siwar Soria

Odd-Sensual

Choreographer: Andrew Tay
Performers: Yuichiro Inoue, Peter Kelly, Megumi Kokuba, Erin Poole
Costume Styling: Andrew Tay
Sound Designer: Johnny Mrym Spence
Scenography: Andrew Tay