MAINSTAGE 2025
Bright Shadow
Rachel Helten / soma anima arts (Kinesis Dance Society) in collaboration with the artists
Photo by Kirk Chantraine for Bright Noise, Performers Ileanna Sophia Cheladyn, Allison Lang
Bright Shadow
Bright Shadow is an interdisciplinary exploration of the tension between utopia and dystopia, expressed through contemporary dance, live music, text, and interactive technology. Inspired by Carl Jung's "Golden Shadow" concept, the project highlights humanity’s hidden potential, posing the question: "What kind of world do we hope to build together?" The work seeks to inspire creativity and offer hope, encouraging audiences to imagine and embody a more compassionate, peaceful world amidst the chaos and uncertainty of our times. The work fuses contemporary dance, evocative spoken word, live music, and immersive digital projections, creating a deeply engaging, multi-sensory experience.
At its core, Bright Shadow is a call to action, inviting audiences to actively participate in shaping the performance. Through interactive technologies—such as motion sensors and sound-reactive visuals, mini-games audience members play when they enter the space, etc—audience members influence the evolving narrative and visual landscape in real time. This collaborative approach transforms spectators into co-creators, reinforcing the central theme: our collective agency in building the future. The choreography juxtaposes fluid, hopeful movements with jarring, dystopian motifs, mirroring the complexities of our social and environmental realities. The soundscape blends haunting melodies, rhythmic beats, and fragmented poetry, while dynamic projections oscillate between lush utopian imagery and fractured dystopian visuals. These artistic elements cultivate an ever-shifting world that reflects the uncertainties and possibilities of our time.
soma anima arts (Kinesis Dance Society)
soma anima arts (Kinesis Dance Society) is a contemporary dance organization based in so-called Vancouver, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples. Founded in 1986 by Greek-Canadian choreographer Paraskevas Terezakis, the company has built a legacy of bold, socially conscious performance. In 2024, a significant artistic shift took place as Vancouver-based dance artist Rachel Helten assumed leadership, ushering in a new era of compassionate, interdisciplinary creation.
Rachel’s vision is rooted in care, deep listening, and collaborative inquiry. Her work explores the connection between body and spirit, using vulnerability as a catalyst for transformation, healing, and liberation. Under her direction, soma anima arts embraces holistic well-being, artistic risk-taking, and social engagement, centering compassion, presence, and equity in all aspects of creation.
With 39 years of history, soma anima arts balances legacy with evolution. Our programming includes original choreographic works, residencies, public presentations in theatres and alternative spaces, and intergenerational, community-engaged workshops. We serve professional artists, youth, elders, emerging dance makers, all-abilities, and culturally diverse communities.
As a women-led organization, we foster environments where artists and participants can flourish through shared expression. Dance, for us, is a tool for belonging, connection, and resistance. Whether in the studio, on stage, or in community, we create spaces where embodied artmaking becomes a vehicle for reflection, dialogue, and imagining new ways of being in the world—with integrity, depth, and care at the heart of everything we do.
Performance History & Upcoming Performances
Rachel Helten with soma anima arts:
Artemis’ Embrace, North Vancouver, North Vancouver Recreation & Culture, August 2024
(Work-in-progress showing of Bright Shadow, Vancouver, The Dance Centre, November 2024)
Gentle Glory, Vancouver, Co Erasgas’ Spring Salon Series, March 2025
Artemis’ Embrace, Vancouver, The Dance Centre, April 2025
What is us & eternal, Vancouver, Chimerik - Unity Consciousness Arts Festival, June 2025
Gentle Glory, Port Moody, PoMo Arts - Art Out Side Festival, July 2025
Gentle Glory, North Vancouver, October 2025
Gentle Glory, Vancouver, The Dance Centre, February 2026
Bright Shadow, Burnaby, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, October/November 2026 (TBC)
Bright Shadow, Vancouver, The Dance Centre, November 2026 (TBC)
**Note: This list only includes works Rachel created and performed under the umbrella of our organization, since she was appointed as Artistic Director in April 2024.
Rachel Helten has performed extensively in Canada and abroad as an individual artist. Her CV can be made available upon request.
Kinesis Dance Society, under artistic direction of Paras Terezakis (1986-2024) has produced and performed over 40 works. A list can be made available upon request.
Project Created by: Rachel Helten in collaboration with the artists
Key Artistic Collaborators: Dancers: Rachel Helten, Allison Lang, Ileanna Sophia Cheladyn, Ana Sosa. Musicians: Ben Helten, Kofi Obiri-Yeboah. Digital artist: Ezequiel Peralta.
Performance type: THIS WORK IS BUILT FOR THEATRE
•THIS WORK IS ADAPTABLE TO THEATRE OR OUTDOORS OR ALTERNATE
How do you define this work: Multi-discipline, Contemporary dance, interactive, digital art
Length of performance: 30-55 minutes
Audience type: General Audience
General Technical Requirements: Lighting
– Our digital artist will handle lighting design and operation.
– No additional gear needed; the in-house plot and inventory should be sufficient.
– No lighting file currently, but happy to collaborate with your team if any questions arise.
– No haze used.
Projection/Visuals
– We’ll be using TouchDesigner for real-time visuals and have our own projector. But if the space has a projector already hung up that would be great.
– An HDMI input for the projector will be needed.
Sound
– Our musicians will be using their amps, live electric guitar, live bass guitar, and a recording of music.
– We may use a Zoom H6 pre-mixer, which would require one input into the main mixer.
– No live mics, no OSC, and a basic stereo setup with two on-stage monitors is sufficient.
Set
– No large set pieces, flying elements, or power needs.
– No onsite storage required.
– No riser adjustments needed.
Crew
– Having a crew member to support during tech or performance would be helpful, though our team is comfortable self-operating.
Required amount of time for tech set up: 1h30-2h
Alternative Venues: Bright Shadow is a multimedia performance best suited for a black box, studio theatre or gallery with:
- Ideally, sprung or marley dance floor.
- Approx. 30' x 30' clear performance space
- Blackout capability (preferred, not required)
- Standard ceiling height
Technical Requirements:
Projection & Visuals
- We’ll be using TouchDesigner for real-time visuals and will bring our own computer.
- We plan to bring our own projector but are happy to use the in-house system if an HDMI input is available.
Sound
- Live electric guitar & bass, plus pre-recorded music
- Use of Zoom H6 pre-mixer (requires 1 input into house mixer)
- No mics, no OSC, basic stereo setup with 2 on-stage monitors
Lighting
- Designed & operated by our digital artist
- No haze, no additional gear needed
- House plot & inventory are sufficient
Set & Crew
- No large set pieces, rigging, or power need.
- No riser adjustments or on-site storage needed
- 1 or 2 crew members to support tech/performance is helpful, but our team can self-operate
Access Needs
- Level flooring and accessible washrooms
- Easy load-in/load-out access
- We would like to prioritize physical and sensory accessibility for both artists and audiences i.e. wheelchair accessible ramps & seating, etc.
Other Details: Bright Shadow is a flexible, interdisciplinary performance designed to adapt across a variety of venues from black box and studio theatres to galleries, schools, and site-specific spaces. While it thrives in a setting with projection capability and low light for digital visuals, it can be modified for less conventional spaces (e.g., high school auditoriums, lobbies, or outdoor venues) using minimal tech or analog methods (e.g., printed imagery instead of projections).
A unique feature of Bright Shadow is its use of interactive technology. We are currently researching and developing a mini-game that audience members engage with upon arrival via QR code or tablet stations. In this game, participants select words and visuals that represent their visions of utopia and dystopia. These choices dynamically shape what is projected during specific moments in the performance. Dancers, musicians, and spoken word artists then respond live through an improvisational score and shared language, making the audience co-creators of each performance.
This interactive component supports rich community engagement and opens possibilities for educational settings, workshops, or post-show dialogue. Our team brings all necessary tech (computer, projector, Zoom H6 mixer), and requires only basic inputs (HDMI and one sound input). The show does not require risers, haze, or rigging, and is easily adaptable in scale.
We are committed to physical and sensory accessibility for both artists and audiences and can adjust our staging accordingly to ensure inclusive participation.
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 5 to 7
Number of Support Staff on Tour: 0-1
Availabilities: 2026-2027 Season
Project Details
Community Engagement
As part of Bright Shadow, we offer a robust community engagement component that invites local participants to become co-creators in both process and performance. Rooted in the project’s central question “What kind of world do we hope to build together?”, this activity engages intergenerational participants (ages 14+) in a collaborative creative lab exploring themes of utopia/dystopia, personal agency, and collective imagination.
Working with community members from diverse backgrounds, including youth, newcomers, and/or artists from other disciplines (music, digital media, spoken word), we facilitate a series of co-creation workshops leading up to the performance. These sessions integrate movement improvisation, storytelling, and guided design of interactive digital content. Participants will have the opportunity to shape sound-reactive visuals, compose poetic text, and contribute to installation or performance elements featured in the show.
Workshops are ideally scheduled as a 4–5 day intensive or a series of weekly sessions (minimum 10 hours total). Advanced prep includes online prompts and digital sharing tools to begin creative input prior to in-person sessions. No prior experience is required, just curiosity and a willingness to imagine.
We collaborate with local artists and cultural facilitators to ensure the experience is responsive to the community’s interests. An honorarium may be provided for participating artists or youth, depending on partnership funding. This engagement fosters a deep sense of ownership and connection, making each presentation of Bright Shadow unique to its place and people.
Outreach Activities
We offer a range of outreach activities designed to foster reflection, creativity, and dialogue, particularly around the themes of Bright Shadow. These include Q&A / Artists’ talk-back sessions and workshops in contemporary dance and improvisation that integrate grounding techniques, sensory tuning, guided improvisation, choreographic tools, and repertory.
Community-level workshops are available for youth (including at-risk youth), emerging artists, and intergenerational groups. These workshops explore themes such as utopia/dystopia, transformation, and embodied storytelling through dance, music, and multimedia. They begin with gentle breathwork and sensory awareness and evolve into creative movement rooted in inner inquiry. Activities may include writing prompts, improvisation, collaborative choreography, and interactive tech-based components such as movement-responsive projections.
Workshops are adaptable for various age groups (teens to adults) and can be offered as one-time sessions or a short series. All bodies, abilities, and levels of experience are welcome.
We are particularly committed to working with underserved and at-risk youth populations, creating safe, imaginative spaces that encourage agency, voice, and expression through art. Depending on the context, additional collaborators such as the project’s composer, digital artist, or spoken word artist may be invited to enrich the experience.
Fees range from $300–$1000 per activity, depending on the length and facilitation team.