The Greater Vancouver Historical Performance Society of BC (GVHPS)
website: historicalperformance.net facebook: historicalperformanceensemble
COMPANY PROFILE
MANDATE
To capacitate the research, training for, reconstruction & presentation of, historically accurate garments, dance, music and theatre of Canada and Europe 13th to 20th C, specializing in the Renaissance and Baroque Eras.
To share these arts at the highest standards through professional performance and instruction for the general public, schools and seniors centers and consultations for other performing arts groups. STRUCTURE
LEGAL DESCRIPTION : BC Provincial Society # S-0030188. Canadian Registered Charity #89546 0434.RR001, January 1997. Fiscal year end: Dec. 31
ARTISTIC STAFF
Artistic Director: Catherine Lee (since 1989)
Music Director: Pat Unruh (since 1997)
Wardrobe Director: Brenda Webster (since 1997)
4 resident dancer/actors; 2 musicians - augmented as needed by professional early music specialists
BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S EXECUTIVE
President: Katherine Li Vice President: Casey Mons
Secretary-Treasurer: Janet Walker At Large: Maria Kenward, Steve Roy
GVHPS has operated for over 20 years, always on budget, never in debt. Artists are hired on a professional contract basis and paid at professional rates for performances. GVHPS received Gaming Funds consistently1995 to 2010 and 2012 - 14. Historical Performance Ensemble (HPE) one of a handful of companies worldwide dedicated to the performance of accurately recreated arts of the past. It is the professional company hosted by the Charitable Society GVHPS, founded 1989 which sustains professional activities involving the accurate realization and dissemination of European and Canadian dance, music, song and theatre of the past. Services include:
Historical plays and concerts; Soirées; Entertainments & Atmosphere on contract;
Consultations & creation for film, opera & theatre companies; professional workshops & international Master Classes; Public Classes: dance, music, costume, commedia, School Lecture Demonstrations. Most Recent Family Events Currently available for Contract bookings. Dance and Music concert “Ladies’ Aires and Dances” a programme of Baroque theatrical dance and music with commedia. (Performed 2009 PAL Vancouver, 2010 Saltspring Island)
Musical Theatre 1870 -1930 “Voices of the Fraser” written and directed by long-time company member Angela Brown (performed around the lower mainland 2006-2010). Participatory project for children “The Compleat Courtier”, combines workshops & evening soirée. Children learn and present (for friends and family) simple songs, dances, commedia and etiquette of the Renaissance and learn to dress in Renaissance garb (first draft Dec 8, Carnarvon School, Vanc.) Our artistic history since 1989 includes:
- Development and 35 presentations of two highly researched original plays, two interdisciplinary works and a recreated 17th C masque. These were presented at Fringe and other Festivals and through self-production by the Society
- 100+ evening length Concerts (dance & music, singing & music or combinations, plus music only)
- 26 Soirées (2.5 hr community participation event with short performances) 1992 -2008 around Vancouver
-120+ Contract performances, participations, talkbacks for schools, festivals, commercial contractors and fundraising events
-Consultations, music compositions and choreographies for some 20 plays, operas and movies.
-12 public beginning courses and workshops and 7 professional public workshops including with guest teachers from the US, England and Canada. We provide professional development for our performers with visiting international guest specialists. HPE gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the people of BC through the BC Gaming Commision, and the City of Richmond, our donors, and moral and practical support from the Dance Centre, St. Augustine’s Anglican Church on Hudson and Early Music Vancouver
