Expanding the possibilities
of performance
Performance Festival
August 6-16, 2026
Image by Nanne Springer
Open Studio: Braids & Heritage
Jossua Satinée and Stacey Désilier
Venue
Winchester Street Theatre
Tue Aug 12, 1:00 PM
Co-presented by Toronto Dance Theatre and Parbleux
150 Minutes
Satinée merges bodily movement, fashion architecture, and pop icons to interpret a surreal world. This universe allows a being to transform and to build a score in space.
Stacey Désilier integrates her artistic approach into both introspective and collective dance, seeking to reflect personal stories while resonating with universal themes of migration, tradition, and cultural transformation.
Braids & Heritage is a creative concept that fosters multidisciplinary expressions. Satinée and Stacey, allied by the roots of their ancestral heritage and in the shared celebration of it created Braids & Heritage as a point of resilience coming out of the pandemic. The collaboration is a sanctuary and a space for artistic achievements.
Beginning in 2020, Braids & Heritage stemmed from a DNA test. A discovery of multi-ethnic background propelled the artists’ desire to honor the complexities of their skin. This work translates these complexities and expressions through popular dances and movements created by black folks. From braids to cake walk, moonwalk, twerk, twist and square set, a showcase in celebration of our ancestors.
Braids & Heritage is presented as part of Open Studio, in alignment with The Beast and Ikebanapapa.
Concept, choreography, performance, production: Jossua Satinée and Stacey Désilier
Sound design: Steven Doman
Delegated production: Parbleux
Creative residencies: CCOV-Centre de création O Vertigo, L’Annexe-A
At the heart of its mission, Toronto Dance Theatre, in collaboration with Montreal-based Parbleux, invests in improving the conditions of creation for artists. This opportunity highlights a project and promotes discussion. Co-curated by Clara Furey & Andrew Tay.
With Open Studio, Toronto Dance Theatre and Parbleux offer artists a place to present and share their project in the making. Each artist receives a 30-minute presentation and a time for open discussion. Parbleux also provides support in strategic planning for this event: touring targets, communications strategy, etc.
Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester Street, Toronto.
The building is not currently wheelchair accessible. There are three steps outside of the front entrance, a small platform, and then three more steps to the lobby (a straight hallway that then leads you to the theatre). To access the private gender-neutral restrooms, there are five additional steps at the end of the lobby. The seats in the theatre are on risers with stairs.
Light refreshments will be available onsite.
SummerWorks Focus
Our ever-evolving exploration into more relational, less hierarchical, and increasingly impactful engagement within our industry, and within Toronto’s diverse communities of performance practice.