Throughout her career as a choreographer spanning three decades, Crystal Pite has produced more than fifty works for dance companies in Canada and internationally. Last Saturday, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards ceremony paid tribute to him, as he received the 2022 National Arts Center Award.
CBC art
This article is part of a series on winners of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards 2022 (New window).
This recognition is in addition to the extraordinary honors she has received during her career, including the Benois de la Danse, the Jacqueline-Lemieux prize from the Canadian Council for the Arts, the Grand Prix de la danse de Montréal, two Critics ‘Circle National Dance in the UK, three Olivier Awards, an honorary doctorate from Simon Fraser University and appointment to the Order of Canada.
In 2018, Crystal Pite was the subject of a show in the series In labor of CBC Arts (New window) (in English). This documentary series follows host Sean O’Neill across the country and around the world. The latter are among the leading Canadians in the making of new works and at important moments in their careers, with all their share of risks and possibilities of rewards. The Crystal Pite episode proved to be a highlight; this is why we wanted to rebroadcast it on the occasion of a great weekend for the choreographer.
In this excerpt from the show, Crystal Pite describes the reasons why she stopped dancing to her own works since 2010. She explains that it was a difficult decision that influenced her work as a choreographer. I am accumulating more knowledge, I understand certain things better, but my body is losing capacities, he explains. It causes a strange pull. However, I am surrounded by amazing people. My dancers are extraordinary. I dance with them.
Go to CBC Gem to watch the full episode (New window) (in English).
Source: Radio-Canada
