Little Bit About Us
Who We Are
arzoo dance theatre
About
Arzoo (noun, feminine) – an ancient Persian word meaning yearning, desire, wish, longing
Arzoo Dance Theatre’s mandate is to create and present contemporary dance theatre works using a variety of dance forms from East and West. We seek a new choreographic voice that blends South Asian and western cultural aesthetics, ancient knowledge and current artistic practices. Further we seek to promote and support the development and practice of South Asian dance, primarily Kathak, in Canada and internationally.
Arzoo Dance Theatre is
– An expression of synergy: a collaboration of traditional and contemporary art forms that leads to the creation of new art;
– Committed to promoting and enhancing the role of dance as an artistic practice and as a tool for self-cultivation, community building, outreach, education, culture and heritage;
– Engaged across diverse media to develop relationships with different community groups, including professionals and non-professionals.
Mission Statement
To create and present new art works at the highest standard that celebrate the human spirit and promote a deep understanding of cultural diversity through a combination of professional presentations, community outreach and educational programs.
History
Arzoo Dance Theatre was born in Maynooth amongst the rugged splendor of Ontario’s wilderness in the summer of 2001. Deepti had already created ground-breaking choreographies commissioned by the National Arts Centre//Canada Dance Festival (1994) and the Banff Centre for the Arts (1995). These works went on to be performed at the NAC Theatre, Ottawa; Eric Harvie Theatre, Banff; Dance space Project, New York; and other venues.
In the early 2000s, the company’s focus was collaborative and increasingly experimental, setting the tone for continued exploration of technology, musical collaborations and expression within the traditional form of Kathak. Today Arzoo continues to create and produce choreographies in collaboration with composers, media artists and designers from diverse backgrounds.
What Community Says
