Jean-Pierre Perreault: Choreographer

Editor: Aline Gélinas
Translator: Lynne Carson
Jean-Pierre Perreault was one of the most creative forces in Canadian dance. More than a choreographer, Perreault brought to his work a vibrant interest in art, architecture and music. His 1983 ensemble work, JOE, has deservedly become a Canadian classic and his exploration of space and the dancer-audience relationship made Perreault an internationally respected figure.

This collection of 18 essays by dancers, fellow choreographers, designers and scholars, pays tribute to Perreault’s unique artistry. As the contributors relate their own encounters with Perreault’s work, we gain valuable insights to the very nature of art and creativity.

About the Author
Aline Gélinas was a journalist in Montreal, covering dance and theatre for La Presse and Voir for numerous years. Gélinas trained in Étienne Decroux’s corporal mime at l’école de mime de Montréal. She was the artistic director of the Agora de la danse in Montreal and of the production company Gravida. In 1996, Gravida was invited to co-produce the awards ceremony marking the sixtieth anniversary of the Governor General’s Literary Awards. She was a teacher of dance history, a book editor and author of fiction. Aline Gélinas passed away in 2001.