Mission Statement

The primary intention of Larchaud Dance Project is to create work that allows increased accessibility of concert dance and theatre to new audiences through the incorporation of break dance culture. Ultimately, they intend to use their productions as platforms to showcase their innovative technique and social commentary, which will help to establish an outreach program to be implemented in schools. As choreographers, performers, and educators, co-founders Jennifer Robichaud and Nicole Bemister-Lardino hoped to create a style of movement to produce a unique perspective in the practice of dance art. Remaining under the direction of Robichaud, the company continues to thrive and contribute to the arts community.

History

Larchaud Dance Project was co-founded in the spring of 2004, under the premise of creating a company which would expand the boundaries, appeal, and acceptance of contemporary choreography. The company incorporates the fundamental elements of break dance technique to create repertoire based on strength, agility, and gravity-defying movement. They premiered their first work “The Larchaud Project” at fFIDA 2004 as a distillery site specific. The piece fused the technical and sensual aspects of the tango with raw and dynamic urban movement. Performed on a cardboard stage, “The Larchaud Project” received reviews from The National Post and Dance International Magazine, and was later remounted for Choreographer’s Ball One Year Anniversary.

Larchaud Dance Project produced their first full-length production, Stript Bare, in June 2005. Stript Bare combined dance, theatre and multimedia installation to take an in-depth look into a clinical experiment to understand the layers of the human mind. Since then, the company has produced their second show SHINJIRU, a live videogame that questioned the lines between fantasy and reality. Most recently, Larchaud Dance Project has performed at CAUTION (LDP), Nuit Blanche/07, Junction Arts Festival/07, remounted excerpts of SHINJIRU for the Toronto International Dance Festival, and toured the production to China for the Shanghai International Fringe Festival in the Fall of 2006. Performance credits also include The Revue, TIDF Urban Matinees/Closing Night Party/06, Wintercity Festival/06, fFIDA/05 Grande Scale Event, fFIDA/04 Site Specific, Small Potatoes, Series 8:08, Choreographer’s Ball One Year Anniversary. and dance films “Ice World,” “Game Over,” and “Pandora’s Box,” created for the Freedom Series documentary on Jennifer Robichaud (Acme Productions/Bravo). The company, through their unusual performance spaces and surfaces, have become known for bringing the stage to the street, and the street to the stage.

Known for their entertaining, intelligent choreography, Larchaud Dance Project have been guest artists for instruction and choreography at performing arts high schools, and elementary private schools. Through the teaching of Larchaud technique (contemporary/break dance fusion) the company wishes to eventually create a CAUITION performance education/ outreach program to allow the art form to reach students of all backgrounds, race, and culture. Known as a multicultural and eclectic group of artists, the company appeals to diverse audiences and communities. Most recently, Larchaud has been given opportunity to conduct workshops/performances at the York School, St. Elizabeth’s Secondary School (Regional Arts Program), Voice Intermediate School, and Havergal College. It is their initiative to be able to bring contemporary dance to youth and audiences who are not familiar with the form or view it as something exceedingly abstract, by way of something that is recognizable: relevant social issues and mainstream dance aesthetics

Modify Website