Dedicated to dance. That is what The Citadel Ross Centre for Dance is. This remarkable building in Toronto’s Regent Park welcomes artists and the community. It is a space to rehearse, create, perform, learn, communicate, and share.
Since 2012, The Citadel Ross Centre for Dance has been an open space. But its history stretches back further. The building was once a Salvation Army Citadel. In 2007, Citadel + Compagnie purchased it. They renovated it into the cultural hub it is today. The renovations created studio, office, and theatre spaces.
Citadel + Compagnie is both a place and a people. It is an artistic and community entity. The company’s mission is to contribute significantly to dance in Canada. They nurture creative excellence and foster cultural participation. Laurence Lemieux has been the artistic director of Citadel + Compagnie for nearly two decades. Her multifaceted experience guides the company’s mandate. She is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and presenter.
The Citadel Ross Centre for Dance hosts various presentation platforms. It also runs residency programs. These programs support some of Canada’s most interesting choreographers and dance companies. It is home to Compagnie de la Citadelle. It is also home to the Citadel Dance Program. Toronto Council Fire’s Indigenous dance program, First Fire, is a neighbour.
Compagnie de la Citadelle is the professional dance company within Citadel + Compagnie. It was founded in 2000. The Compagnie is known for its creative processes. They stage intimate performances of classic works and new creations. They also preserve important Canadian dance work. This makes iconic repertoire available to a new generation of dance artists.
The Mimi Herrndorf Studio Theatre is located here. It has a capacity of 65. It features LED lighting and a sprung floor with a Marley surface. Tiered moveable seating is also available. The Citadel Ross Centre for Dance is a physically accessible building.
Citadel LIVE is The Citadel’s presentation series. It offers a diversity of dance forms. Performances challenge, elevate, and transcend.
Night Shift is a late-night dance fest. It celebrates Ontario-based movement makers. The annual Citadel Dance Mix encourages artistic risk. The Citadel Spring Mix is a joint initiative. It brings together new works by Toronto-based artists. These artists perform alongside established works by Montreal-based artists.
Laurence Lemieux also curates Bright Nights. This is a performance art series at The Citadel Ross Centre for Dance. She also created the Citadel Dance Program. It is a free ballet program for kids living in Regent Park.
The Citadel Ross Centre for Dance acknowledges the land. It recognizes it as the traditional territory of many nations. These include the Mississaugas of the Credit. They also include the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
The Citadel Ross Centre for Dance is more than just a building. It’s a place where dance comes alive. It enriches both the Regent Park community and Canada’s dance scene.