A History of Creation

Springboard Dance began life in 1988 as a collective - Springboard Dance Collective. Our original members were Lucinda Neufeld, Trina Rasmuson, Nicole Mion, Kim Dunlop, Shelly Tognazzini, Linda Baker, and later Laurie Montemurro, Mariette Labelle and Alison Bonney-Gregson. Like any tender, young arts organization, we worked all over town to begin with, wherever space was cheap, or more desirably, free. Eventually a ballroom dance studio became our stable and affordable home. Springboard ran classes, facilitated workshops and mounted shows; dancing in one another's pieces which showcased the work of the Artistic Directors in performance. The office was just slightly bigger than the average washroom.

In 1995, looking for a way to articulate more firmly our commitment to nurturing developing talent in the community, we dropped the "collective" from the name and became simply, Springboard Dance. The move, in 1996, to a studio of our own and rental office space, confirmed this commitment. It allowed us to nurture our vision of an evolving centre for multi-disciplinary work.

However, in 1998, high rent and a space squeeze forced Springboard to give up its studio and office space. After 2 years of a semi-nomadic existence, Springboard happily settled into our current office in the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts. Though we no longer maintain a studio, we are still very active in the creation and education of modern, contemporary dance.

Each season is decided project-by-project with choreographers, performers and support staff chosen on the criteria of each projects' needs. Springboard Dance and its current 3 Artistic Directors have chosen to concentrate on presenting and producing both national and local work. Yet Springboard's mandate (like our office space remaining the size of a washroom!) has remained true to its past. Springboard promotes, produces and creates intellectually and sensually stimulating modern, contemporary dance.

Springboard Dance is a platform for the creative spirit.

Mainstage Performance History

2004-2005

Vertical Summer 2004, July '04

2003-2004

Unbreakable & Broken, May '04

Vertical Summer, July '03

2002-2003

HE, September '02, Martha Cohen Theatre

2001-2002

TORCH, June '02, Engineered Air Theatre

The Birds, Co-presentation with One Yellow Rabbit, Jan '02, Big Secret Theatre

Corvidae, August 2001, Grotto Canyon

2000-2001

ARCHIDANCE, June 2001, Big Secret Theatre

1999-2000

Yes, April/May '99, Martha Cohen Theatre

1998-1999

Bone Driven, Nov '98, U of C Theatre

1997-1998

A Fierce Desire, March'98, Martha Cohen Theatre

The Spirit Moves, Dec '97, New Dance Theatre/Studio

1996-1997

A Wait on Us, May '97, Garry Theatre

Relentless, March '97, Big Secret Theatre

The Big Red Ball, Party and Performance, Feb.'97, The Point Studios and Gallery

1995-1996

Somewhere Between Fear and Desire Lies Passion, The Slightly Bigger Ball, April '96, Nat Christie Centre

Echoes of the Flesh, Jan.'96, Joyce Doolittle Theatre

Fresh Ground, Full Bodied, Nov.'95, Doll House

1994-1995

The Big Ball, May '95, Trail's End Warehouse

Savage Graces, Feb.'95, Secret Theatre

1993-1994

Against the Grain, Spring'94, Secret Theatre

From the Fourth Position, with special guests Suddenly Dance Theatre, Fall '93, Secret Theatre

1992-1993

Demons, Pink Flamingos and Us, March '93, Dr. Betty Mitchell Theatre

Dancing In Red Shoes will Kill You, November '92, Secret Theatre

1991-1992

Freefall, May '92, Secret Theatre

Jumping From Conclusions, special guests Mile Zero, April'92, Dr. Betty Mitchell Theatre

1990-1991

Unchained, April '91, Dr. Betty Mitchell Theatre

don't stick your tongue on the fence, December '90, Secret Theatre

1989-1990

Notions In Motion, April '90, University Theatre

Modern, October '89, Studio Theatre, Dancers' Studio West West

1988-1989

Primed, June '89, University Theatre

Collective Feats, February '89, Auxiliary gym, University of Calgary