Photo: Jack Tupper
Source Amnesia
"Source Amnesia" is a 60min dance-theatre work, combining a virtuosic movement vocabulary with text sequences of structured, comedic storytelling. The cast features five interpreters who collectively represent BC's LGBTQIA2S+, Black, South Asian and Latinx communities.
Source Amnesia is the inability to remember where, when or how previously learned information has been acquired, while retaining the factual knowledge. This branch of amnesia is associated with the malfunctioning of one's explicit memory. Our brain's frontal lobe is responsible for our ability to make meaning of information and to place memories in order. False memories associated with source amnesia are constructed from the combination of a real memory with false suggestions received from an outside entity. If one cannot recall the source of an act or event, it is possible to believe false prompts as fact, rather than fiction.
Our somatic conversation with memory distrust considers the thrilling, but terrifying, proposition of upholding the predetermined and the unknown in equity. Through comedy and reflection, the resulting work illuminates the fragility of truth and perception.
Artist Statement:
When making work, I ask dance to provoke questioning while transporting artists and viewers to worlds of unimaginable physical possibility. Dance speaks to audiences as a physical expression of the indescribable facets of the human existence. I am most compelled by nuanced form that is impacted by the present in which it is delivered. I strive to craft highly detailed, specific movement statements which seemingly communicate a first time embodiment, each time they are shared.
Photo: Jack Tupper
Project Created by: Choreographed by Joshua Beamish, in collaboration with the performers Marisa Christogeorge, Juan Duarte, Evan Rapaport, Renee Sigouin & Calder White
Key Artistic Collaborators:
Lighting Designer/Technical Director - James Proudfoot
Rehearsal Director/Dramaturg - Heather Dotto
Performers - Marisa Christogeorge, Juan Duarte, Evan Rapaport, Renee Sigouin & Calder White
Performance type: This work is built for the theatre
How do you define this work: Contemporary Dance Theatre
- Highly virtuosic dance mixed with comedic spoken word sequences
Length of performance: 60 minutes
Audience type: General Audience
General Technical Requirements: - marley floor
- fly space to shift lighting fixtures up and down (ideal, but this can be reworked for smaller venues or for venues without a fly)
- 8 octogonal lights, which are rented from Vancouver and act as both the lighting and set design
Required amount of time for tech set up: 1 day prior to show
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 6
Number of Support Staff on Tour: 2 - Technical Director & Stage Manager/Rehearsal Director
Availabilities: 2025 Spring Season (Mar - Jun), 2025/26 Season, 2026/27 Season
Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY
Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY is dedicated to the creation of innovative and engaging original dance productions. These works are created by Artistic Director, Joshua Beamish, and invited guest choreographers, both emerging and established. The company engages the public through high quality performance events and outreach activities, such as annual performance seasons, educational engagement with youth, choreographic mentorship for emerging creators, national and international touring.
MOVETHECOMPANY was founded in 2005. The company’s works have toured throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Notable presentations include The National Arts Centre/Ottawa, Lincoln Center/NYC, BAM Next Wave/NYC, The Joyce Theater/NYC, The Guggenheim Museum/NYC, Royal Opera House/London, Princeton University, Fire Island Dance Festival, The Harris Theater/Chicago, Artists in Action/Mumbai, Seoul International Dance Festival, the Bangkok International Festival and with Cirque du Soleil for World EXPO Shanghai. The company has been curated into the official programming of CINARS, PAMS, Busan Dance Market, Dance in Vancouver and Pacific Contact.
The company was an inaugural Company-in-Residence at The Joyce Theater’s Choreographic Center, in addition to undertaking residencies at The Banff Centre and Jacob’s Pillow, among others.
Outside of the company, Joshua’s commissions include The Royal Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, Vancouver Opera, Cape Town Opera, New York City Ballet Principals Wendy Whelan for Restless Creature and Ashley Bouder for The Ashley Bouder Project, New York Choreographic Institute, Compania Nacional de Danza de Mexico and Toronto Dance Theatre. Joshua also choreographed for the CBC Radio Canada series Ils Dansent.
Performance History & Upcoming Performances
THIS PRODUCTION
Source Amnesia - World Premiere
Jan 13-14, 2023 at Vancouver Playhouse
Source Amnesia - Alberta Tour
Jan 20-21, 2023 at Brian Webb Dance Series/Edmonton
PERFORMANCE HISTORY
Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY has been touring BC since 2006. In 2008-2009, the company toured the full Made in BC (Dance West) Network. We have since returned to many of these communities for performance and educational engagements.
Our most recent Dance West Network visits have included:
ArtSpring/Salt Spring Island - Proximity - 2022
Rotary Centre for the Arts/Kelowna - Saudade - 2020
The Capitol Theatre/Nelson - Saudade - 2020
We will next visit:
Method Dance Society/Prince George - Proximity - Nov 2024
Details of the company's recent and upcoming performances can be found at
https://www.joshuabeamish.com/calendar
Project Details
Community Engagement
The following past activities most represent a deeper community engagement:
- Creations for local youth that act as an opener for our performance
- Choreographic mentorship for local youth or professionals
In the past, we have engaged in projects like these with Sunshine Coast Dance Society, Chilliwack Cultural Centre, ArtSpring/Salt Spring Island, The Capitol Theatre/Nelson and Rotary Centre for the Arts/Kelowna, among others.
We are open to collaborating with any age groups and with mutually interested, and appropriate, community partners. We prefer to craft these outreach projects in dialogue with the presenter and/or community partner. The structure and timeline of these projects impact fees, which would also be collectively determined.
Outreach Activities
We have a nineteen year history of engaging with BC's regional communities in a multitude of formats. We are happy to work with each presenter to tailor the ideal outreach activity for their community.
Past examples have included:
- master classes for local dance students at various regional studios
- master classes with local school district dance programs
- community workshops for those new to dance (adult and youth)
- Q & A dialogues (post performance or in a classroom setting)
- Artist chats/salons with audience members before the performance
- Creations for local youth which act as an opener for our performance
- Choreographic mentorship for local youth or professionals