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We are thrilled to present The Falling Company and the world premiere of Family Room April 19 & 20! We sat down with Artistic Director Marissa Wong to discuss her dance career, the themes of her choreography, and what we can expect from Family Room.

Tell us about your career in dance to date.

When asked this question, my early training in classical ballet often comes up. Partly because it was my entrance into dance and also I had invested much of my adolescent and early adulthood into the technique. This included 6-week Summer Intensives since I was 10 years old and a planned early graduation from high school to pursue a trainee position with Ballet Austin. With this much pressure and work I burned out shortly after that in my early twenties.

Transitioning from ballet, I began choreographing as a way to connect with local artists and integrate into communities. TWObigsteps Collective, a collective of Vancouver-based artists with the same intentions including Katie Cassady, Stéph Cyr, Sarah Formosa, Andrew Haydock, and Matisse Maitland. The pandemic hit after operating for 5 years and at that point we had agreed that we all needed a break from the collective dance hustle.

At almost the exact same moment, Amber Funk Barton from the response. was stepping down as director and I was nominated to fill her position. I had several interviews and was selected for the position. It’s been three years since I took over the company and have renamed it The Falling Company. As a director I do my best to ensure the previous patterns I experienced in ballet are not repeated in the way I lead dance spaces. 

Beyond directing,  I also still balance work as a freelance performer. I found circus arts when Corporeal Imago hired and trained me in aerial rope (corde lisse). Through this form I was then introduced to partner acrobatics. These movement forms allowed me to discover a new practice that empowered my body and offered pleasure back to movement unrelated to dance. I currently train in these forms and get excited about melding circus arts with my dance background.

What are the main elements and themes in your choreography? What inspires your work?

My choreography stems from my personal growth journey, my past two works Departure and Family Room highlight my desire for storytelling that can mirror an audience member’s experience. I often engage in multidisciplinary aspects that can merge the various practices I get excited about. I use these tools to enhance relatability within my personal narratives.

How has The Falling Company impacted your artistic trajectory?

The Falling Company has offered me a platform to change the structures I previously experienced as a performer. It has allowed me to host PLUNGE Mentorship Project which supports emerging artists and creates works that align with our company’s values. I have learned a great deal about myself and what is important to me in a leadership role. I am embracing my vulnerability and humanness to allow transparency as a director and hopefully create a space in which others feel comfortable doing so as well.

Tell us about your upcoming new piece, Family Room.

There has been a lot of media recently of what to expect from the work and the multidisciplinary elements of the work. I would love to share details that may not have been asked in other interviews.

This piece began October 2021 and was initially a series of solos as the pandemic restrictions limited physical contact. We used furniture props in place of people to explore relationships and a limited, physically distanced audience was able to witness this version at EDAM Dance’s Fall Choreographic Series. 

We developed the work through a series of residencies through Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, plasticorchidfactory, The Dance Centre, and Dance West Network. Last year we showed a preview excerpt of the work to a full house and received feedback from the audience through a facilitated discussion with counsellor, Brie-Ana Laboucane.

This work is as much about the process as it is about the final product. The journey of building relationships with the artists, learning a deeper understanding of how I want to lead, and the artistic development of my creative voice. The conception of this work coincides with me taking over directorship for The Falling Company and I have grown as a human, artist, and director during this time which is reflected in this work.

In addition, the company has implemented structures for more sustainable dance practices which includes paid warm up time, Wellness Benefits for the artists to support healing post-performance, policies to handle conflict, and counsellors attending rehearsals. These practices demonstrate a way of building safety for the artists involved and we will continue to hear, learn, and grow from the communities we are supporting.

I want to acknowledge all the humans who have had a hand in developing this project. With a three year timespan and new theatrical elements that have not been included in my previous works, it truly took an entire ‘family’ (hehe) to bring this work to life.

Performers: Justin Calvadores, Tamar Tabori, Shana Wolfe
Sound composer: Jamie Bradbury
Costume design: Meagan Woods
Lighting Design: Jono Kim
Production/Stage Manager: Kayleigh Sandomirsky
Set Design: Kayleigh Sandomirsky and Marissa Wong
Dramaturg: Raïna Von Waldenburg
Script Writer: Kryshan Randel
Assistant Stage Manager: Agnes Hui
Dramaturgical Consultation: Intisar Awisse
Outside Eye: Peter Bingham (through EDAM Choreographic Series)
Creative Research Collaborator: Stéph Cyr

What might people be surprised to know about you?

When I was 17 I was on a reality dance tv show called “A Chance to Dance”, it was hosted by Nigel Lythgoe from So You Think You Can Dance and the premise of the show was to document the formation of a dance company. I made it to the top 20 hehe.

What is your next project?

I will be heading to the International Choreographers Retreat in June hosted by Montréal Danse and c.a.t.a.m.o.n dance. A small group of choreographers will gather and take stock, collectively and individually, of the turbulence of the last few years and its impact on how we are thinking about art making and art sharing. I am looking forward to meeting new and familiar faces in thought provoking discussions.

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The Dance Centre presents
The Falling Company: Family Room
April 19-20, 2024 | 8pm
Scotiabank Dance Centre

Info and Tickets
Photos: Luc Roderique and courtesy of the artist

Presented with New Works.

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