Meet Jennifer Lécuyer, a professional dancer, choreographer and circus performer. She will be participating in Earth In Motion Aboriginal Choreographers Workshop Performance on Saturday at the Winchester Street Theatre. See below for details.
Where did you grow up? Why?
Bromont, Quebec, a small tourist town an hour away from Montreal where the air is fresh and the birds sing loudly. Why? Well, my dad was the manager of the golf course there, so when my parents started their family it was in the quietness of the Eastern Townships.
How long have you been in Toronto?
4 years
Toronto is…
trying, it should just do.
What do you do for a living?
I am a circus performer, dancer, and choreographer and when I am not on tour I work at lululemon athletica.
What keeps you busy?
Circus, dance
What was your favourite summer job?
I worked as a lighting technician at the Montreal International Jazz Festival on their 25th anniversary, and that’s the year Cirque du Soleil was performing as they were celebrating their 20th anniversary. I saw the whole outdoor show from the media tour…Cirque made it snow in the middle of June…it was amazing.
Dream job? Why?
Travel around the world performing circus/dance.
What’s your passion?
Circus, dance (again!), visual arts, cats, dogs and the rest of the animal kingdom.
If I say jump?
I say point your feet.
What do you give back to the No Fly Zone?
I participate in the Junction Arts Festival, I work in that neighbourhood, and I order lots of food from the ’hood!
What can we do to make Toronto a "world class" city?
Have better access to the waterfront…come on we’re right off one of the great lakes…great cities always (!) have easy water access (Amsterdam, Prague…) even if it’s a small river. We have a freakin’ huge lake, let’s make it accessible.
Are you an artist?
Yes
How does art influence your life?
It’s not an influence…it’s my life!! Ok, maybe it sounds arrogant but it’s true. Art is found in the flowers that surround us to the way the traffic moves on the Gardiner (well from my balcony perhaps!)
Hands or feet?
Hum…I’m an aerialist and a dancer…both are of equal importance.
Worst public moment?
A nun told me to lip synch the Christmas song in the church mas…never sung after that…still remember her name…Soeur Marguerite...still can’t stand her.
Why do you live here?
I moved here to study dance and just stayed.
Two Beatles left: Ringo and Paul. Who wins in a smackdown?
Je ne comprends pas la question…
Favourite public space?
Toronto: High Park
Montreal: Mont-Royal neighbourhood
Who are your favorite artists?
The list is long, but to name a few: Lisa Pijuan-Nomura, Noel Bautista, cube3, Margie Gillis, Sasha Ivanochko, Daniele Finzi Pasca.
Mon Chi Chi, My Little Pony, Barbie? discuss.
My mom used to say to me “Barbie, la poupee niaiseuse” which translates to “Barbie, the stupid doll”…!
