Ottawa Dance Directive / Centre de danse contemporaine

10/01/2026

More training next week! And the week after!
Contemporary Classes with Charles CB AND Yvonne Coutts (new addition)

IMPORTANT NOTE: classes with Charles will be at The School of Dance - classes with Yvonne Coutts will be at Ottawa Dance Directive. Registration is required and can be done by emailing [email protected] for classes with Charles at TSOD, and through the link below for Yvonne’s classes at ODD 🔗

https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/4528238327

Charles Cardin-Bourdeau (TSOD)
Monday Oct 5 | 10:45-12:15

Yvonne Coutts (ODD)
Tuesday Oct 6 | 10-11:15

Yvonne Coutts (ODD)
Wednesday Oct 7 | 10-11:15

Charles Cardin-Bourdeau (TSOD)
Tuesday Oct 13 | 9am-10:30am

Charles Cardin-Bourdeau (ODD)
Wednesday Oct 14 | 8:45am-10:15am

About Charles’ class:
This contemporary technique class is designed for experienced dancers seeking to refine their technical skills while expanding their artistic range. The class uses elements of ballet and modern dance, emphasizing strong, grounded movement as well as dynamic and nuanced shifts in energy. Through short movement sequences and exercises, dancers will focus on posture, alignment and amplitude of movement. Across-the-floor progressions will explore a range of patterns, momentum, fluidity and sharpness, all while challenging coordination and spatial awareness. This class is ideal for professional and advanced dancers.

Photo 1: Jonathan Malenfant
Photo 2: Curtis Perry

Reminders
📝Registration is required, even if no payment is taken in advance.
💳Classes can be paid in person by cash or card.
📍Classes take place in either Studio B at ODD in Arts Court (2 Daly Avenue), or in the studios of The School of Dance (200 Crichton St).
💃Our classes range from intermediate to advanced level, and some contemporary dance experience is recommended. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at [email protected]

09/29/2026

GREEN 💚
Music by Vanessa Nostbakken (Ness Nöst)
Video by .kat
Dancers: Sasha Ouellette-Deguire,

Shared last Saturday night, Green is a fast-creation experiment mixing movement improvisation, music and physical environment that questions the practice of Visual Resource Analysis - one method used in determining how to make invisible the extraction of resources or logging of forests in order to maintain a smooth and pleasing visual landscape for onlookers.

It was total magic ✨

09/25/2026

TRAINING NEXT WEEK: Contemporary Classes with Yvonne Coutts
ODD | Sep 29, 30 & Oct 1 | 10am-11:15am

About Yvonne’s class:
An intermediate-advanced level class that is based in contemporary techniques and influences from my dance practice. There will be standing and floor exploration with emphasis on rhythm, range, and responsiveness. Spatial intent coupled with full body listening shapes a foundation for energetic exchange and interpretative choices.

Up Next:
TSOD: Charles Cardin-Bourbeau Oct 5th 10:45-12:15pm & Oct 6th 9:00-10:30am
ODD: People Dancing Together with live music from Nick Schofield Sep 30th 7-8:30pm

Reminders:

⭐️Registration is required, even if no payment is taken in advance.
⭐️Classes can be paid in person by cash or card.
⭐️Classes take place in either Studio B at ODD in Arts Court (2 Daly Avenue), or in the studios of The School of Dance (200 Crichton St).

Link below to register:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/contemporary-classes-with-yvonne-coutts-sep-29-30-oct-1-10-1115am-tickets-1998882970774

Our classes range from intermediate to advanced level, and some contemporary dance experience is recommended. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at [email protected]

Music featured in video is by .clement 🥁

09/24/2026

This Saturday Night at ODD:
Green 8PM and 10PM
OSMOSi:422 Unprocessable Entity 7PM and 9PM

Green is a fast-creation experiment mixing movement improvisation, music and physical environment that questions the practice of Visual Resource Analysis - one method used in determining how to make invisible the extraction of resources or logging of forests in order to maintain a smooth and pleasing visual landscape for onlookers.

OSMOSi: 422 Unprocessable Entity is an interdisciplinary work that weaves together movement, projection, spatial sound composition and interactive costuming to build an immersive world where the ground is constantly shifting beneath your feet. Reflecting on the religion of workism and precarity of gig economy labour, we are confronted by the everyday within the unexpected.

Hope to see you there!

Photo 3 is by Vanessa Tam

09/21/2026

Come train with us tomorrow and Wednesday!

We are thrilled to welcome guest teacher Emmalena Fredriksson! We are so lucky to have her teaching classes at ODD this week.

Contemporary Classes with Emmalena Fredriksson
ODD | Sep 22-23 | 10am-11:15am
2 Daly Ave, Studio B

Reminder that registration in advance is required for class ✍️💃 Link in below!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/contemporary-class-with-emmalena-fredriksson-odd-sep-22-23-10-1115am-tickets-1998884684901

About Emmalena’s class:
I teach a floor work- based contemporary dance technique class. Influenced by release technique, flying low and contact improvisation, the class incorporates somatic movement studies, improvisation, strength building and phrase work, We will play with pushing, pulling, falling and spirals in different patterns and combinations, with a gradual build in intensity and complexity as we progress from moving close to the floor to more upright and upside down movement patterns and fast paced dancing in and out of the floor.

Photo Credit: Luciana Freire D’Anunciação

09/18/2026

Opening night was a huge success!
Two more chances to catch our first show of the season:
ꜱᴛʀᴀɪɢʜᴛ, ɴᴏ ᴄʜᴀꜱᴇʀ 𝘣𝘺 𝘖𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘊. 𝘋𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘴

Supported by The National Arts Centre
Avec le soutien du Centre national des Arts

*Ce spectacle est présenté en anglais seulement*

Produced by O.Dela Arts
Production : O.Dela Arts
September 17, 18, 19 2026 7:30pm / ODD BOX / Doors open at 7pm
17, 18, 19 septembre 2026. 19h30 / ODD BOX / Les portes ouvrent à 19h

𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘪𝘹𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢 𝘬𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥.

𝘔ê𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘦, 𝘵𝘩éâ𝘵𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘵 𝘳é𝘤𝘪𝘵, 𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘶𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦 𝘧ê𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘹 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘶 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴é 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘲𝘶𝘪 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘦 𝘧ê𝘵𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘦 𝘤é𝘭é𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘭𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘵é.

Length: 90 minutes, no intermission, strong language

Durée : 90 minutes, pas d'entracte, language grossier

Link below for more information and tickets:
Pour plus d'informations sur les billets, suivez ce lien:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/series-dance-10-56-odela-arts-olivia-c-davies-tickets-1997051076529

Photos by Ben Kissner

O.Dela Arts gratefully acknowledges support from Canada Council for the Arts, British Columbia Arts Council, City of Vancouver, FTA Respirations, The Dance Centre, NAC Dance, and Ottawa Dance Directive.
O.Dela Arts remercie chaleureusement le Conseil des arts du Canada, le British Columbia Arts Council, la Ville de Vancouver, FTA Respirations, The Dance Centre, Danse CNA et Ottawa Dance Directive pour leur précieux soutien.

SERIES DANCE 10 #56 presents the premiere of STRAIGHT, NO CHASER by Olivia C. Davies at Ottawa Dance Directive.

09/15/2026

TROIS | CALL FOR DANCE ARTISTS
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬

ODD is inviting dance artists to apply for a residency designed to support experimentation and research towards the development of a trio.

This residency offers nine artists time and space to explore ideas in the form of trios and to take risks outside the pressures of production. We welcome artists at different stages of their practice and are interested in proposals that demonstrate collaboration and experimentation.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬:
November 30 - December 11, 2026 at ODD (Studio B and ODD BOX).

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲:
We welcome applications from:
•Choreographers/dance artists, in groups of three, from the National Capital Region only
•Emerging, mid-career, and established artists
•Applicants may work in any dance or movement-based form

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲
The selected artists will receive:
•40 hours of studio space (timeframes are 9:30-1:30pm or 1:30-5:30pm week days)
•Weekly stipend of $400
•Opportunity to engage with all other artists in process
•Support and mentorship from ODD Artistic staff
•Technical support for lighting for informal showing
•Informal showing on Friday December 11th, 2026.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲:
Tell us what your group is curious about, what you want to investigate, and why this residency would be meaningful for your practice right now.
Please submit:
1. A short description of the proposed trio research / creative inquiry (𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬)
2. Brief bios of all three artists; preferred rehearsal timeframe

Applications should be submitted by 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 to 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨@𝐨𝐝𝐝-𝐜𝐝𝐜.𝐨𝐫𝐠 and selection will be made by artistic committee.

For questions about the residency or application process, please contact 𝐘𝐯𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨@𝐨𝐝𝐝-𝐜𝐝𝐜.𝐨𝐫𝐠.

Photo by Dana Dufour

09/08/2026

Pique #21 is just around the corner! Here’s what’s happening in the ODD BOX:
Co-presented by Debaser and Ottawa Dance Directive
Created by interdisciplinary media artist Nancy Lee and choreographer Emmalena Fredriksson:

September 26 / 7 & 9 pm

𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘖𝘚𝘔𝘖𝘚𝘪: 422 𝘜𝘯𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘱𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵. 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘪𝘨 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘖𝘚𝘔𝘖𝘚𝘪: 422 𝘜𝘯𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘺.

Hope to see you there! ⭐️🤖💙

Photos by Vanessa Tam

09/01/2026

Swipe ➡️ screenshot 📸 add to calendar 🗓️
Lots of opportunities to train in Ottawa this Fall! 💃🍁
Hope to see you in the studio!

Link below to sign up!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/4528238327

*Please note a change in the schedule - the NAC Masterclass with Louise Lecavalier is not confirmed and will most likely not be going forward. We will let you know if anything changes*

Reminders:
📝Registration is required, even if no payment is taken in advance
💵💳Class can be paid for in person by cash or card
🏛️Classes take place in either Studio B at ODD in Arts Court (2 Daly Ave) or in the studios of The School of Dance (200 Crichton St)
💃Our classes range from intermediate to advanced level, and some contemporary dance experience is recommended. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at [email protected]

Photos by Dana Dufour (.jpeg )

06/16/2026

Community Audition Announcement!!

Ghost Rooster Collective is seeking professional dancers for Nutcracker Remix, a contemporary reimagining of The Nutcracker that centres disability aesthetics, interdisciplinary collaboration, and inclusive storytelling.

Audition Details
When: Saturday, July 11, 2026 / 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Ottawa Dance Directive (2 Daly Ave, Ottawa)
How: To register, please email [email protected] with a short bio, CV (if available), and any access needs.

Selected artists will be paid CADA rates ($34–$40/hour) for approximately 30 hours of work, with rehearsals taking place throughout Fall 2026 and a work-in-progress presentation at Shenkman Arts Centre on December 18, 2026.

Ghost Rooster welcomes dance and movement artists of all genres and strongly encourages applications from artists with disabilities, BIPOC artists, and artists traditionally excluded from classically based performance spaces. Ballet experience is not required.

See link below for more information:
https://www.ghostroostercollective.com/nutcracker