In 2018/2019 Susie Burpee worked with Emma Kerson and Marie-Josée Chartier worked with Caryn Chappell. Samyuktha Punthambekar shadowed Claudia Moore to learn more about running a company whilst managing a performance career and performed as an artist leader in Roger Sinha’s Community Project, MoW on the Move.

The mentees were invited to observe preparations, technical rehearsals and performances by mentors Burpee and Chartier and the other featured artists at Older & Reckless 2018 at Harbourfront Centre Theatre, including opportunities to speak with the artists. They were also invited as guests to the Older & Reckless workshops led by Susie, Marie-Josée and Kitt Johnson (Denmark).

The mentorship program continued with 1-on-1 consultations throughout the spring of 2019 and culminated in a week-long studio residency in partnership with Dancemakers, May 6- 10, 2019. Here the mentees developed short works with their mentors as outside eyes and without the pressure of a final product. The resulting works-in-progress were performed for invited guests in a studio showing followed by a discussion on May 10, 2019.

At the showing, Caryn’s and Emma’s work reflected the results of a strong process and an extended period of mentorship. Invited guests included Peggy Baker, Shannon Litzenberger and Michael Caldwell. Our mentorship patrons Lindy Green and Sam Chaiton, MOonhORsE Artistic Director Claudia Moore, with board members Carol Anderson and Sallie Lyons and Dancemakers General Manager Francis Shakov and Production/Facilities manager Tanya Bregstein were also in attendance. A rich discussion took place among artists and observers after the showing, sharing observations and useful feedback.