ROCKING THE BOAT
CELEBRATING QUEER CONTENT IN CANADIAN CONCERT DANCE
WILLIAM
DOUGLAS (1953-1996)
Following years of study in Architecture, William Douglas decided in 1978 to pursue his passion for dance. His early base was Toronto where he danced in the companies of Toronto Dance Theatre and Dancemakers, among others. Later, he directed his own company – first in New York City from 1986-1991 and then in Montreal from 1991 to 1996. During his Montreal period, Anima (1990), we WEre WARned (1992) and While Waiting (1995) illustrated his interest in themes of gender and sexual identity and living with AIDS. While Waiting, was performed by José Navas, dancer, choreographer and life partner of Douglas. The piece, at the time titled Solo for José, won a New York Bessie award for outstanding creative achievement in 1995; it was cited as “an elegant portrait of individual struggle and transcendence, in an eloquent partnership of life, art, choreographer and dancer”.
Photo Credit (above): William Douglas / Photographer: Cylla von Tiedemann
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ANIMA
Anima (1990) Excerpt 1
- Choreographer & performer: William Douglas
- Composer: John Oswald
- Lighting Design: Nicole Werner
- Costume Design: Jane Townsend
- Video recorded: October, 1992 - Festival International de Nouvelle Danse (FIND) Montréal, Québec
- Videographer: Alexandre Myers
Anima (1990) Excerpt 2
