Brutal, visceral and provocative, DEFIANT delves into light within darkness, the resonance of rebellion, and the beauty of failure.
DEFIANT* has been both an exhilarating and terrifying process, exposing my past of being beat up, bullied and belittled as a child, until an incident in Grade 5 began to change everything. By 1980, the year I took my first dance class, I was invited by the Ontario Olympic Wrestling Federation to represent Canada on the international stage. My life changed again with the marriage to MYLOVE Karen and the birth of our children. Dance and family has been the driving factor in my creative investigation for decades.
Thank you, Karen, for your divine presence and being an inspiration to me for over three decades of creation, struggle, shared vision and life together. You are my muse and best friend, always in my thoughts and by my side.
Special thanks to the dancers for investing so deeply in my vision and fragile creation; Edgardo, Robyn and Simon for their shared brilliance towards the realization of DEFIANT; to Blake Martin for his special training session and to Bruce for his continued insight – challenging me to delve significantly within this journey of personal revelation. Also to Aniya and Mika for their eternal support and understanding. As well to all our staff, Graham, Nadine and Olivia, for their impeccable spirits and boundless energy in supporting Karen and I.
*Kaeja Elevations defined and created by Allen Kaeja, are developed from three decades of refined exploration and collaboration with Karen Kaeja.
Cast:Kaeja d'Dance
Tags:Kaeja, Elevations, Allen and Dance