Small Dance for a Small Space Festival at The Theatre on King

The Theatre on King is hosting their annual Small Dance for a Small Space Festival from May 29 to June 1, with local artists showcasing dance pieces starting at 8 p.m. across four nights.

The festival began in 2013 when The Theatre on King’s artistic and technical director Ryan Kerr opened his small studio space for area dancers to perform whatever they had been working on.

“This was before I had The Theatre on King, so it was a much smaller space back then,” Kerr said. “Our challenge was to create short pieces under 10 minutes, that they could perform in a 10 foot by 10 foot space. We have more space than that now so there is a little wiggle room, but the idea is to keep the footprint small.”

The 2024 lineup will include contemporary dance by Kerr himself, as well as Kate Alton, and Liza Ingram. Naomi DuVall and Kollene Drummond will present circus movement pieces, and Colleen KimiArts will perform a fusion belly dance.

“Every year is different and you can really expect almost anything because people are showing brand new works for the first time and test-driving experimental pieces,” Kerr said. “I think people are always surprised by the amount of dancers here in town creating new work. Peterborough has a vibrant dance scene that is alternative and independent, and dancers just need a place to showcase what they are working on, so I’m glad I could fill that void.”

He explained that artists have used the Small Dance for a Small Space Festival as a springboard to test material that would later become popular full-fledged shows, including Kate Story’s Damned Be This Trans Migration which was presented by Public Energy in 2015, and Kerr’s Dazzle Ships which he presented at The Theatre on King in 2016.

Kerr works with each artist to develop the sound and light routines for their performances. Public Energy also sponsors the festival as part of ongoing initiatives to promote local performers.

“Something special about the fest is that this all takes place in an intimate space with a small audience, so every time you come here you are only about 10 feet away from the actors with no orchestra pit or anything else between you and the performers,” Kerr added. “There’s something really exciting about seeing performances so up close and personal.”

Tickets to the Small Dance for a Small Space Festival cost $20, with a pay what you can option at the door.