“I decided to make an ensemble piece with no words,” says Berlin-based queer Canadian choreographer Meagan O’Shea. Sometimes the body needs to do the talking.

O’Shea’s new work, which opens in Vancouver on November 16, explores the damage done to the feminine identity—and the collective healing that can come through the darkness.

Anatomalia, a production of O’Shea’s company Stand Up Dance in collaboration with The Dance Centre, features choreographic installations that are set in multiple environments, with the audience able to walk around the performers as the show progresses. 

“We’re stripping the theatre bare so the audience can reorient themselves in the space,” explains O’Shea, “to see the performance sections happen at different angles.”

“Anatomalia” is a combination of the words anatomy, anomaly, and femalia—femalia referencing all things female in an expansive and inclusive way. The show creates performance rituals through collective action and aims to challenge both our inner landscape and our outer world.

“This work combines ensemble choreography and performance installations that track the progression of, and recovery from, sexual violence—all the way to queer joy,” says O’Shea. “It moves through different stages or states of emotion. It’s the process of good that happens after that. There’s shame and fear and repulsion. And then there’s healing, transformation. The transformative moment moves us into desire and curiosity and trust and joy.”

The cast is comprised of members of Rainbow Refugee, a Vancouver-based organization supporting refugees fleeing persecution for their sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, or HIV status.

The dance ensemble also includes Areli Moran Mayoral, Cathy Walsh, Nicole Nigro, Sasha Amaya, and Linnea Swan. The show also features composer Ra Tack, set and costume design by Helen Yung, and production by Valeria Oviedo. 

Anatomalia

When: November 16 to 18

Where: Scotiabank Dance Centre

Tickets: Available online