Photo : © Oussama Rahmani
The call received 85 applications from five different provinces, an impressive demonstration of the vibrancy of Canada’s dance scene. The selection committee highlighted the quality and scope of these submissions, which reflect the current diversity of approaches and practices in dance.
The committee selected a proposal by the Catch Step collective consisting of Victoria Mackenzie (VicVersa), Anaïs Gilles (Rise), and Delande Dorsaint (Djungle). The three artists, who have been working together since 2022, collaborate through a multidisciplinary approach rooted in street dance. Born out of the exploration of their personal dance vocabularies and fueled by their shared passion for rhythm, groove, and virtuosity, Catch Step has developed a demanding, precise, and deeply musical approach to dance. The group draws on the richness of various styles while celebrating the intensity, complexity, and power of movement.
Details on the project will be revealed in March 2027, when FTA’s program is announced. The piece will be performed in Montreal as part of FTA 2027, in Marsoui during FURIES 2027, and in Ottawa as part of NAC Dance’s 2027-2028 season.
About the Artists
The project’s originator, Victoria Mackenzie (aka VicVersa), is a creator and performer whose practice combines classical training, b-girling, and club-inspired freestyling. She’s also involved in teaching, cultural mediation, and event coordination.
Anaïs Gilles (aka Rise) is a dancer and dance artist who is active in the hip hop, house, and ballroom scenes. She is also a co-coordinator of the Ballroom 4 Community program, which seeks to build bridges in Montreal’s LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC communities by running workshops and providing safe educational spaces.
Delande Dorsaint (aka Djungle) is a musician and dancer specializing in house and hip hop. He has notably collaborated with Ör Pür and EBNFLŌH, among other companies.
Catch Step is a Montreal-based collective that performs both locally and internationally, particularly in battles and at festivals. The trio’s members are very involved in their community, contributing to many projects and training activities, notably for 100Lux and the FRGMNT collective.
