Christopher House
Christopher House (born 30 May 1955) is a Canadian choreographer.[1] For many years he has been the artistic director of the Toronto Dance Theatre.
Christopher House | |
---|---|
Born | May 30, 1955 |
Occupation | choreographer, performer |
Nationality | Canadian |
Notable works | Glass Houses, Early Departures, Vena Cava, Nest, Echo |
Early life and education
House was born in Newfoundland. He moved to Ottawa at the age of 19.[2] He later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from York University in Toronto.
Career
House joined the Toronto Dance Theatre (TDT) in 1979. In 1981 he was appointed that company's choreographer-in-residence.[2] He remained in that post until 1994 when he was hired as the artistic director at the TDT, a position he remains in currently.[3] He has also choreographed works for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and the National Ballet of Canada.[4]
In 2007 a documentary of House's life and works, Ahead of the Curve, was co-produced by Rock Island Productions and Rink Rat Productions.[2] He was also profiled in Moze Mossanen's 1987 documentary film Dance for Modern Times, alongside David Earle, James Kudelka, Ginette Laurin and Danny Grossman.[5]
In 2017 House was appointed to the Order of Canada.[6] In 2018 he led the TDT on an 11-city tour across Canada.[7]
Teaching
Christopher House is the Artistic Advisor of the Professional Training Program at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, and has taught technique, repertoire and creative process at the Juilliard School, Rotterdam Dansacademie, Jacob's Pillow, Ryerson University, Simon Fraser and York University.[8]
Awards
- Silver Ticket Award (2012)
- Honorary Doctorate, Memorial University of Newfoundland (2010)
- Muriel Sherrin Award for International Achievement in Dance (2009)[9]
- Dora Mavor Moore Award (1986, 1988, 2007)
- Clifford E. Lee Award (1986)
- Jean A. Chalmers National Dance Award (1983)
References
- New York Media, LLC (6 May 1985). New York Magazine. New York Media, LLC. p. 85. ISSN 0028-7369.
- "Christopher House still ‘Ahead of the Curve’". The Telegram, Toronto, August 9, 2018. Wendy Rose.
- "Toronto Dance Theatre's Christopher House transforms past works". Georgia Straight. by Janet Smith on February 21st, 2018
- "Christopher Maxwell House". The Canadian Encyclopedia
- William Littler, "Dance feature puts viewers on stage". Toronto Star, November 27, 1987.
- "Order of Canada honorees desire a better country". The Globe and Mail, June 30, 2017
- "Wendy Rose review: ‘House Mix’ brings Christopher House home". The Telegram, Wendy Rose Jan 08, 2018
- "Dancer Christopher House explores the risk of performance". Stephen Hunt, Calgary Herald, January 8, 2016
- "Christopher House". Toronto Arts Foundation website