An internationally recognized dancer, teacher and choreographer, and the founding artistic director of DanceArts Vancouver Society in 1979, Judith Marcuse is an artist with many faces. Her commitment to the marriage of artistic excellence and social relevance is a cornerstone of her contributions to Canadian dance and theatre since returning to Canada from Europe 25 years ago. This social commitment and passion to integrate art into community life are reflected in two recent initiatives, the annual winter festival, The Kiss Project, and the creation of ICE: beyond cool, a major theatre work which explores the 'inner landscape' of today's teens and focuses on teen suicide.
 

ICE, set to tour nationally in the fall, had a huge impact on Vancouver youth when it premiered in a downtown mall in 1997; The Kiss Project has become an important showcase for artists from across the country. Named a Woman of Distinction by the Vancouver YWCA in 1985, she is also the recipient of Canada's two leading honours for choreography, the Jean A. Chalmers Award and the Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award. In June of 2000, she received an honourary doctorate from Simon Fraser University.

Return to the complete Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award Winners List

Sadhana Dhoti (1979)

World Premiere, Eric Harvie Theatre
August 16 & 18, 1979

Choreography: Judith Marcuse
Set design: Laszlo Funtek
Lighting Design: David J. Hignell
Music: David Jaggs in collaboration with Judith Marcuse

collage of J.S. Bach, R. Eliscu and Vangellis

Leslie Edwards, Daniel Dagenais, 
Michael Fritzke, Scott Harris, unidentified, Ronald Fung, unidentified in Sadhana Dhoti.
Photo: Grant Ponton