ANANDAM DANCETHEATRE PRODUCTIONS

Overview

Anandam Dancetheatre Productions is a Canadian nonprofit charitable arts organization based in Toronto, Ontario. It was founded in 2010 by Brandy Leary, who serves as the Artistic Director. The organization is recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a registered charity, operating under the business registration number 824795066RR0001.

Mission and Activities

Anandam Dancetheatre occupies a contemporary space in dance, eschewing traditional Eurocentric aesthetics. Its initiatives are deeply rooted in Brandy Leary's extensive experience with Indian dance and performance practices, spanning both classical and contemporary lineages. The organization engages in multiple integrated activities:

• Creation and Presentation: Anandam Dancetheatre creates and presents its own original works, which are shaped by aesthetics and ethics emphasizing curiosity, intimacy, and responsiveness.
• Artist Incubation: The organization incubates, presents, and curates works by local, national, and international artists.
• Community Engagement: Anandam facilitates discursive engagement initiatives for both audiences and artists, fostering dialogue and collective inquiry.
• Sectoral Interventions: It offers workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship programs for emerging artists, partnering with both local and international talent.

Values and Focus

Anandam Dancetheatre values inclusivity, embracing diverse bodies and movement practices. It promotes a culture of presence and collective inquiry, ensuring that its performances and activities are receptive to a wide range of viewpoints on the dancing body. By doing so, the organization contributes to a rich tapestry of contemporary dance in Canada.

Impact

As a registered charity, Anandam Dancetheatre Productions supports the arts community through its charitable activities, which include educational opportunities and the development of new contemporary dancetheatre works. This commitment to innovative performance and community engagement has positioned Anandam as a unique contributor to Canada's cultural landscape.