H.
HISTORY
The Woods is Atlantic Canada’s first and only professional hip-hop dance company, (June 2010, in residence, Halifax Dance) under the direction of Alexis Cormier. Alexis believes in the progression of urban dance and has spearheaded the Atlantic Canadian movement to bring quality education to local dancers and quality performances to the public.
D.
DESCRIPTION
The Woods believes in the progression of hip-hop and urban dance and has spearheaded the Atlantic Canadian movement to bring high quality education to local dancers and high quality performances to the public.
In conjunction with this pursuit, Alexis Cormier, has founded and is artistically directing Atlantic Canada's first professional hip hop company, The Woods (company in residence, Halifax Dance, June 2010).
Hopscotch, Halifax's first hip-hop festival, has featured The Woods as performing artists ever since its inception, and through Hopscotch and other cultural events The Woods are ambassadors for the advancement and sustainability of hip-hop arts.
The Woods, and Alexis' choreography have been featured across all realms of performance, in local and national calibre productions, in shared stages with international acts, and collaborations with local artists. Highlights include opening spots for Classified, featured performances at Nova Scotia Culture Awards, Live Art, We Day, Atlantic Jazz Festival, CTVs Courage to Give Back Awards, Nocturne, and Canada Games 2011.
Most recently, Alexis presented the first independent production by The Woods: I AM ANNA. ANNA was a performance installation at NSCAD’s Anna Leonowens Gallery, and included original work by Cormier, in collaboration with Jordan Washington (Broadway Dance Center), as well as original work by Ghettosocks (Juno nominated emcee/producer), Kate MacDonald (activist/actor: The Magic Project, CBC’s Studio Black), SJ Jones (actor: formerly Onelight Theatre), Georgia Skinner (dancer/choreographer: Nostos Collective, The Woods), Anastasia Wiebe (dancer/choreographer: Nostos Collective), and musicians/producers, Vogue Dots. Beyond the inspired content, Cormier was thrilled to present this five show run, to four of five sold out audiences.
M&C.
MISSION & CORE VALUES
We provoke the creative in everyone.
Using contemporary physical language our works express social commentaries through the millennial perspective and leave people feeling connected and visceral. We are a diverse group, raising the bar for professional art in Halifax, achieving sustained progress in hip hop dance, and creating opportunities for individuals to dance professionally while working on other professional interests.
We believe in Integrity, Bravery, and a sense of Family. We create an environment for young dancers to grow professionally as well as personally.
