Barbara Bourget

2024

BIO + CV

Barbara Bourget is a Canadian dance icon renowned for her pioneering contributions to contemporary dance and butoh in Canada. She co-founded the Kokoro Dance Theatre Society in Vancouver in 1986 with her life partner, Jay Hirabayashi, and with him also co-founded the Vancouver International Dance Festival in 2000. Known for her passionate and evocative performances, Barbara has pushed the boundaries of contemporary dance through her unique blend of Western and Japanese butoh techniques, creating emotionally charged and visually striking pieces.
Dancing from the age of 4, Barbara completed the Advanced Exam, R.A.D. syllabus with Mara McBirney in Vancouver before becoming a scholarship student and performer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1967. She danced with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens from 1969 to 1972. Returning to Vancouver, she danced with Mountain Dance, Paula Ross Dance Company, and Judith Marcuse Dance Projects among many other collaborations with Vancouver choreographers. In 1982, with Jay, Peter Bingham, Ahmed Hassan, Lola MacLaughlin, Jennifer Mascall, and Peter (now Lola) Ryan, she became one of the co-founding artistic directors of EDAM. Her choreographic work spans more than four decades and includes a diverse range of productions that challenge conventional dance norms, often exploring, through a feminist lens, themes of human experience, vulnerability, and transformation. With an unwavering commitment to her craft, Barbara has not only performed but also directed, produced, and mentored the next generation of dancers.
Barbara's dedication to the art form continues to inspire audiences and artists alike, solidifying her legacy as a vital force in the Canadian dance community. Dance critic, Max Wyman, once described Barbara as an artist who danced with her heart on her sleeve and her body on red-alert. "Kokoro" means heart, mind, and spirit in Japanese. This word embodies the way Barbara dances.
Barbara holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Simon Fraser University and received the City of Vancouver’s Mayor’s Arts Award in Dance in 2011. in 2022, she was inducted into the Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame for their lifetime achievements in dance.

Choreography by Barbara Bourget
Full Choregraphic and Performance CV:

2024
• Wreck Beach Butoh – 30th annual performances
• LSD (Premiere) at the Vancouver Playhouse (March 4 & 5)
2023
• Wreck Beach Butoh – 29th annual performances
2022
• Wreck Beach Butoh – 28th annual performances
• Wabi-Sabi at the Vancouver Playhouse (March 4 & 5)
2021
• Wabi-Sabi at the Roundhouse Performance Centre (Sept 22-25 & Sept 29-Oct 2)
• Wreck Beach Butoh – 27th annual performances
2020
• Reading the Bones at the Vancouver Playhouse for the 2020 Vancouver International Dance Festival (cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic)
• Wreck Beach Butoh – 26th annual performances
• Reading the Bones live streamed from KW Production Studio in 4 performances for the 2020 Vancouver International Dance Festival (Sept 23-26)
2019
• Wreck Beach Butoh – 25th annual performances
• Reading the Bones at the Roundhouse Performance Centre with Katie Cassady, Molly McDermott, Salomé Nieto, and Deanna Peters; lighting by Gerald King; music by Jo Hirabayashi; set by Judy Nakagawa
• Tony Wilson, Peggy Lee, Dylan van der Schyff & Kokoro Dance at KW Production Studios on Oct 25 and Dec 13, 2019
2018
• Wreck Beach Butoh – 24th annual performances
• Powell St. Festival with Jay Hirabayashi and Jo Hirabayashi
• Sawdust Collector with Torsten Müller
• Sechelt Arts Festival shishalh Longhouse performances with Jay Hirabayashi and Gerardo Avila
• Flugufrelsarinn performance at Roundhouse AGM with Jay Hirabayashi
• Open showing KW Studios – Reading the Bones
2017
• CGP Gallery performances in London, England with Jay Hirabayashi and Jonathan Baldock
• ( ) performance at Bold Tendencies in London, England
• Wreck Beach – 22nd Anniversary Performance
• Embryotrophic Cavatina at the Roundhouse
2016
• Book of Love – Performed at The Playhouse presented by VIDF 2016
• Wreck Beach – 21st Anniversary Performance
• Dairakudakan Golden Summer performance in Hakuba, Japan
• ( ) – Performed at Danza Teatro Retazos in Havana, Cuba
• Performance with Jay Hirabayashi and Tony Wilson Trio at Gold Sauce
2015
• Cut Away at Push-Off as part of the Push Festival
• Book of Love – Site Specific Performance at the Vancouver International Dance Festival
• Wreck Beach – 20th Anniversary Performance
• Book of Love – Research process performance at the Powell Street Festival
• Improvisational performance – CITR Float – Pride Parade
• Book of Love – Premier performance at the Roundhouse Community Festival
2014
• ( ) at the Vancouver International Dance Festival
• ( ) Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Celebrations – site specific at the Vancouver International Dance Festival
• Wreck Beach Butoh
• Bite Down Gently and Howl presented by EDAM – choreographed by Ziyian Kwan
• Site Specific Collaboration with Visual Artist Jonathan Baldock
• Cut Away – Choreography by Deanna Peters
• Book of Love – Research process performance at the Dance Centre
2013
• Life – A work for 7 dancers choreographed with Jay Hirabayashi with Music by Lee Pui Ming, Set by Kai Chan, Lighting by Gerald King
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi 70 minute work for 14 dancers)
• Crumbling solo for Matthew Romantini
• This Butoh is Not Political – with Jay Hirabayashi and Neworld Theatre (Marcus Youssef and Dawn Petten).
2012
• A Simple Way – Solo Work for myself in collaboration with Joseph Hirabayashi – Composer, Gerald King – Lighting Designer and Elizabeth Dancoes – Poet.
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi 70 minute work for 11 dancers)
• Antennae solo for Jennifer McKinley
• Crave – Choreographer – a film by Lisa Jackson
2011
• Music of Amber (19 minute sextet performed with the VSO)
• I Sing The Body (42 minute septet performed with the VSO)
• Sweeney Todd (for Kitsilano High School)
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi 70 minute work for 10 dancers)
• Powell Street Festival Butoh with the SSRIs (30 minute duet with Jay Hirabayashi)
• All Over the Map Butoh with the SSRIs (45 minute duet with Jay Hirabayashi)
2010
• L.S.D. sextet
• The Drowsy Chaperone (for Kitsilano High School)
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Happiness (20 minute solo for Salomé Diaz)
2009
• Two Night Stand (60 minute collaboration with Jay Hirabayashi, Tanya Tagaq, Cris Derksen, Tony Wilson, Lee Pui Ming, Dylan van der Schyff)
• F (a work for 3 dancers, 3 actors, 3 musicians and video, performed at the Vancouver International Dance Festival)
• Pagan Prayer
• Tabula Rasa for Kokoro Dance
• L.S.D. duet
• South Pacific for Kitsilano High School
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi)
2008
• The Wiz (for Kitsilano High School)
• Ghosts (for the Dancing on the Edge Festival, Powell Street Festival, and 20th Anniversary of Japanese Canadian Redress)
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Mystic Beach/Malahat Farm Butoh
• Running Through Glass (20 minute solo for Holly Bright)
• ANU 6 (60 minute collaboration with Middle Eastern musicians)
2007
• Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow – Collaboration with Vancouver Symphony (Daydream Mechanics to music by Michael Oesterle and Monday/Tuesday to music by Michael Torke)
• Olver (for Kitsilano High School)
• 34 dances for Queen Mary Elementary School
• How Fortunate The Man With None – 10 minute solo for April Russell
• Bellatrix (17 minute solo for Holly Holt)
• Tabula Rasa (for AURA Dance Theatre of Lithuania)
2006
• Sunyata remount (2-1/2 hour work choreographed with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Anything Goes (for Kitsilano High School)
• Falling Down (Trio for Simon Fraser and Mosaic performances)
• Tabula Rasa (for Simon Fraser University)
2005
• Tutaj Tam / Here to There 70 minute work choreographed with Jay Hirabayashi and Jacek Luminski for Kokoro Dance and the Silesian Dance Theatre (Poland)
• Skin / À Fleur de Peau 60 minute solo (inter-arts project with artist Lyse Lemieux and composer Marguerite Witvoet)
• Guys and Dolls (for Kitsilano High School)
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (70 minute work for 22 dancers with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Through and Through (17 minute solo for Carolyn Chan performed at Dancing on the Edge)
2004
• Solo (to music by Avro Part)
• Solo (to music by Jeffrey Ryan)
• Jesus Christ Superstar (for Kitsilano High School)
• Walk This Way (for Main Dance Bridging Program Students)
• Illicit
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi)
2003
• Sheepman Dreams (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• ( ) (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi)
2002
• When the Levy Breaks (for a Main Dance Bridging Program Student)
• Master of Fine Arts Graduating Project, Juliette
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi)
2001
• Pleasure (50 minute work for six performers)
• Crime Against Grace (forty-three minute work for ten dancers)
2000
• X-Roads (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Rite of Spring for 21 SFU students with music by Zoë McDougall
• Quickening (solo for Michael Whitfield premiering at the Solos Festival)
• Ex…it! ’99 (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Environmental works with Jay Hirabayashi performed at Under the Volcano Festival, Stanley Park, Pacific Armoury, Trout Lake, Western Naturist Gathering in California
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi)
1999
• Sade Part III (with Elizabeth Dancoes, playwright and Jay Hirabayashi)
• Embryotrophic Cavatina (with Jay Hirabayashi, revised work)
• Verdant Stones (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Ex…it! ’99 (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Environmental works with Jay Hirabayashi performed at Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Stanley Park, Round House, Rage Nightclub, Eastern Naturist Gathering, Massachusetts
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi)
1998
• Sade Part II (with Elizabeth Dancoes, playwright)
• Embryotrophic Cavatina (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Environmental works with Jay Hirabayashi performed at Powell Street Festival, Vancouver Folk Music Festival, San Francisco Butoh Festival
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi)
1997
• Sade Part I (with Elizabeth Dancoes, playwright)
• Bones with composition by John Korsrud for the 1997 du Maurier International Jazz Festival
• Environmental works with Jay Hirabayashi performed at Wreck Beach, Powell Street Festival, Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Under the Volcano Festival, Stoltmann Eco • Fest
• Popping the Quiff (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• The River with Jay Hirabayashi, work for eleven dancers
• Moan (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi)
1996
• Birdland (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Butoh for Robson Square (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Butoh for Wreck Beach (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Truths of the Blood (a new piece with text by Elizabeth Dancoes)
• Sunyata, remount of the trilogy, originally created and produced in 1991
1995
• Wounded (11 minute solo)
• Everything Happens to Me (11 minute solo for Ziyian Kwan to music by Dewey Redmond)
• Encounters With The Goddess (with Jay Hirabayashi – 60 minute dance for three dancers to music by Robert J. Rosen performed live by Peggy Lee, cello and Adrienne Park, piano)
• gushhh (12 minute trio for 3 ballet dancers, produced by Ballet British Columbia)
• Sleep on It (with Jay Hirabayashi)
1994
• Ascension (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Dance of the Dead (85 minute dance for six dancers and four musicians)
• Butoh for the Badlands (with Jay Hirabayashi for Formolo Dance with 17 dancers in Edmonton)
• The Betrothal (42 minute solo to text by Elizabeth Dancoes)
1993
• Big Fat Hen (60 minute solo with text by Elizabeth Dancoes)
• Esse (60 minute dance for dancer/2 actors/1 musician with text by Elizabeth Dancoes)
1992
• Stacked (50 minute clown • butoh piece with Txi Whizz)
• Bats – Part 3
• Bats – Part 4
• Bats (Premiere – 75 minute dance for six dancers and five jazz musicians)
• Tomcat: Dangerous Desires (Feature film starring Richard Grieco, Natalie Radford, and Maryam d’Abo)
• Fulcrum (60 minute solo with text by Elizabeth Dancoes)
1991
• Impending Death
• Sunyata (remounted Zero to the Power and Aeon plus Elysian Fields)
• Bats – Part 1
• Bats – Part 2
1990
• Aeon (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Eos (for Main Dance Place/Professional Training Intensive)
• Impending Death
• Seven Dances for City on the Edge
1989
• Zero to the Power (80 minute new dance/new music Kokoro Dance production)
1988
• Episode in Blue (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• 37
• The Garden (for Main Dance Place/Professional Training Intensive)
• Fog Rolls In On Little Cat’s Feet
• What’ll I Do?
1987
• Take Five (with Jay Hirabayashi)
• Woman
• Cocaine- The Board Game! (Tamahnous Theatre play directed by Kathleen Weiss)
• Dis/0 to the Power
• Herd (for Main Dance Place/Professional Training Intensive)
1986
• Bach to the Future (in collaboration with EDAM)
• Meaningfull Glances
• No Retreat, No Surrender
1985
• The More They Remain The Same (with Lola MacLaughlin)
• The Hopes of the Bald
• Turbulent Tales (Simon Fraser University)
• Going Down for the Count (Peter Eliot Weiss play for Touchstone Theatre, Jessie Award Nomination for best choreography)
1984
• Four Women
• Les Grenouilles (U.B.C. Danceworks)
• Backstreet Affair, Zaz Turned Blue, Who Can It Be Now?
• Paperwork (Québec été Danse)
• Hitting the Wall
• Tears
• Platypuses
• Quartet (Kamloops Dance Umbrella)
1983
• Awkward Moment
• Run Raw: Theme and Deviation (in collaboration with EDAM)
• The Birds
1982
• Punchdrunk
• Hawk Circling
• Impending Death
• Monkey Business
• Teratornis
1981
• Quad
1980
• Grouse Mountain
• Coraçao
1977
• Solo for Daniel (Mountain Dance Theatre)
1975
• Trio for Three Women (Mountain Dance Theatre)