About Us

MISSION STATEMENT

FFDN is Toronto’s premier professional international dance festival that exists to break boundaries and remove barriers.

With pluralism and affordability at its core, FFDN celebrates, nurtures and amplifies established and emerging Canadian dance artists, creates global connections, and inspires future audiences to sustain the artform.

VALUES

PLURALISM & EQUITY

FFDN is committed to advancing pluralism* in the artform by building authentic, trust-based relationships with the broadly diverse artists and curatorial voices that shape our future. We are guided by the conviction that dance is for everyone and that the FFDN festival can offer affordable, inclusive and accessible entertainment. By bringing international dance to Toronto and Canadian dance to the world, we transcend borders, and create dialogue through this universal form of expression.

NURTURE & AMPLIFY

FFDN believes in the future of dance and the potential of artists. We nurture artists by commissioning original works, presenting emerging and established artists together on the same program, and establishing year-round residency and mentorship opportunities. We nurture audiences through our educational programming, including artists talks and podcasts, feature articles, and school programs. Our international connections and professional development programs amplify Canadian talent globally, while our festival experience generates audiences for professional dance throughout the year.

CELEBRATE & SUSTAIN

The FFDN festival is anticipated by audiences annually as an intergenerational, intercultural celebration of movement that brings down the house. By cultivating diverse partnerships with dance organizations and presenters, curatorial voices, venues, art service organizations and educational institutions we strengthen, enrich and celebrate the vibrant dance ecology of Toronto and of Canada.

*What is Pluralism?

"Diversity in society is a universal fact; how societies respond to diversity is a choice. Pluralism is a positive response to diversity. Pluralism involves taking decisions and actions, as individuals and societies, that are grounded in respect for diversity." (definition taken from Global Centre for Pluralism https://www.pluralism.ca/ )

ABOUT FFDN

10 Year Highlights at a Glance:

82 Mainstage Performances
56 Mainstage Canadian Companies or Independent Artists
35 Mainstage International Companies or Independent Artists
20 FFDN Original Dance Commissions
87,212 Audience Members
220,689 Free Public Outreach Attendees
20,326 Free Digital Programming Reach (2020 - 2024)
328,227 Grand Total Reached

2024: The 10th Anniversary

In November, 2024, FFDN was thrilled to welcome new Festival Director & Co-CEO Lily Sutherland and Artistic Director & Co-CEO Robert Binet, along with incoming Board Chair Karen Sparks, to lead FFDN into its next decade!

This exciting news came on the heels of a vibrant festival that celebrated FFDN’s 10th Anniversary and honoured Founding Artistic Director Ilter Ibrahimof, for whom the 2024 festival was his final curation.

Before going any further, we should give a shout out to departing FFDN founder/artistic director, Ilter Ibrahimof, the visionary behind this important dance festival. His legacy is monumental in terms of making Toronto a dance city of note.

During this first decade, FFDN has become one of the most important dance festivals in Canada for the sheer length and breadth of its programming, which includes ticketed events, live freebees and digital fare. In other words, between Sept. 26 and Oct. 6, Toronto is awash in wall to wall dance.

Paula Citron, SCRUTINY | Fall For Dance North Homecoming Program Offers Dazzling Trio Of Works, Oct 2, 2024

Energized audiences were inspired by 23 performances presented across 6 venues over 11 days!
10 years and the donors, dancers, board, volunteers and staff who were instrumental to the festival’s success were celebrated with toasts, performances and a disco at Studio 24.

11 local and national partners joined FFDN in presenting an expanded International Presenters Program (IPP), an industry marketplace that had previously been held in conjunction with the festival (2017 - 2019). 138 delegates from around the globe attended five days of showcases, performances, and information/networking sessions to discover the work of over 65 Canadian dance artists.

2023:

As performers, their personal journeys from an impoverished township to
international dance fame gave “My Mother’s Son” a depth of meaning no other
artists could hope to achieve.

Michale Crabb, Toronto Star, December 23, 2023 in naming Siphesihle and Mthuthuzeli November’s performance at FFDN one of the 10 best dance performances of the year

FFDN branched out into the presentation of full-evening works with 11 performances of Ohad Naharin’s Kamuyot performed by Charlotte Ballet at Ada Slaight Hall. Two Signature Programmes were on tap. Overall, the festival featured the work of dancemakers from 8 countries!

Tkaronto Open, an Indigenous dance competition, premiered at Union Station on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Co-produced with Indigenous artists Freddy Gipp and Thunder Jack, the event featured virtuosic dancing, live music, an artisanal market, and a profound spirit of community.

Barney Bayliss brought his considerable skills to the festival as Director of Production and Felicia Myronyk joined the FFDN Advancement team.

2022:

I have LOVED and deeply APPRECIATED FFDN - thank you for all you do, and for the great energy from your team. In my experience it's an outstanding festival.

FFDN Audience Member

Despite adversity, FFDN never lost the passion and faith that made the first festival a reality. In 2022, we returned to theatres full-scale. Jera Wolfe’s magnificent Arise, performed by 146 students from Canada’s National Ballet School closed the Signature Programme, moving people to tears every night as they once again experienced the emotive journey of live dance performance.

Dance artistry in film was highlighted in the premiere season of 8-Count, FFDN’s short film series.

2012-2022 Artists in Residence Natasha Powell and Kimberley Cooper brought their expertise in vernacular jazz to the FFDN stage.

Melina Osorio joined the FFDN Finance team.

2021:

As this festival inevitably always does, it gave us new perspectives and cracked open the world of dance a little more.

The 7th FFDN festival featured five mainstage digital performances that established a cross-Canada and international following - viewers from 32 countries in 2021! FFDN also boldly yet carefully returned to in-person programming by launching an outdoor performance series, Heirloom, beyond the GTA in partnership with regional presenters.

Vikram Dasgupta joined FFDN as Renette and David Berman Filmmaker-in-Residence and brought his exceptional cinematic eye to FFDN’s international 2021 Signature Program, shot on location in India, Cuba and the UK. Vikram also directed FFDN’s season-opening livestream, Côté Danse’s X(Dix).

Five of the films produced in 2021 are currently streaming on the international streaming platform, Marquee TV

Valerie Wilder was elected Chair of the Board of Directors and Aviva Fleising joined FFDN as General Manager.

In all, FFDN created paid work in mid-pandemic 2021 for 275 artists and behind the scenes arts workers.

2020:

Fall for Dance North festival doesn’t miss a beat in pivot to online program.
Review by Penelope Ford, Globe and Mail, Oct 6, 2020

Buoyed by the 5th anniversary celebrations and ambitiously working toward future expansion, the FFDN team was shocked by the force with which the COVID pandemic slammed the door on our plans. But perhaps it is no coincidence that 2020’s word of the year, “pivot”, is also a dance term. The FFDN 2020 digital festival, The Flip Side, positioned itself as the cool alternative to a #1 hit, delivering a more personal view of the art form through new, original content and, in particular, highlighting Toronto-based artists.

Artistic Director Ilter Ibrahimof was named the recipient of the Sandra Faire Next Generation Award by the Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame.

Milana Glumicic joined the FFDN team.

2019: The 5th Anniversary

The title really does it justice, as I fall in love with dance (again) every single year! The amount you pay for the talent you see is unbelievable. I will continue to go every year.
FFDN audience member

In its 5th Anniversary Season, FFDN was honored to share the transportive movement of Skånes Dansteater. Kuchipudi dancer Shantala Shivalingappa commanded the Meridian Hall stage, and FFDN’s first world Indigenous dance programme drew rave reviews.

Anne Plamondon was named FFDN’s first Artist in Residence.

2018:

Fall for Dance North is a magnificent, eclectic festival these days.
John Doyle in selecting FFDN as a cultural event of the year, Globe and Mail, December 22, 2018

By 2018, FFDN had added two new venue partners: Toronto Metropolitan University in what is now The Chrysalis theatre and Union as the station’s original dance programming partner.

With the ability to present works in spaces best suited to the dancemaker’s intent, FFDN deepened its connections with the Toronto dance community through:

36 hours of free Open Studio programming at Union Station
Female choreographer and world Indigenous focused programmes at TMU

Lily Sutherland joined FFDN as Festival Coordinator, her first of many roles with the organization.

2017:

The audience is equally diverse and multi-generational. That's not what I normally encounter at dance performances. The FFDN audiences are also vocal and enthusiastic and I appreciate that.
2017 Audience Member

The founding board, chaired by Barbara Frum, with Directors Stephen Delaney, Robert Lowry, Heather Ogden, Sonia Rodriguez and Gretchen Ross elected Joan Lozinki as Chair in 2017 to steer this new smash-hit dance festival with big dreams.

Christina Giannelia joined as General Manager in 2017 when Madeleine Skoggard stepped down.

2016:

Globe and Mail Dance Critic Martha Shabas named FFDN’s presentation of A Picture of You Falling by Crystal Pite as one of the top 10 dance performances in Toronto in 2016!

FFDN grew its team: Melissa Forstner (Director of Advancement) and Nicole Crozier (Marketing Manager) joined in 2016.

2015: The Inaugural Festival

“It felt like the audience’s collective enthusiasm and joy would blow the roof off the Sony Centre.”
2015 Audience Member

Fall for Dance North (FFDN) launched in 2015 on passion and faith. Founding Artistic Director Ilter Ibrahimof and founding Executive Director Madeleine Skoggard joined forces to co-present, with what is now TO Live, three sold out performances at the then Sony Centre, with the support of Mark Hammond (Sony Centre), and Michael Caldwell (Artistic Producer) and Simon Rossiter (Director of Design) at FFDN.

The Fall for Dance North model was born*: mixed bill evenings of discovery featuring international and Canadian work for a supremely affordable ticket price. For 10 years, this model has inspired the growth of a more diverse and invested dance audience that supports professional dance throughout the year.

*Modeled on the New York festival, running at New York City Center since 2004 – and with the blessing of then City Center President and CEO Arlene Shuler

Fall for Dance North Festival and Year-Round Programming 2015 - 2025

2015

Mainstage at Sony Centre:

Program 1

The National Ballet of Canada

No. 24 (2010)
Choreography by Guillaume Côté

Toronto Dance Theatre

Vena Cava (1998)
Choreography by Christopher House

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Takademe (2011)
Choreography by Robert Battle

Nrityagram Dance Ensemble

Vibhakta (2008)
Choreography by Surupa Sen

Inter-Hoop

Inter-Hoop (2015)
Choreography by Lisa Odjig, Ascension Aton:wa Harjo, James Jones, Nimkil Osawamick
*FFDN COMMISSION*

Atlanta Ballet

Minus 16 (1999)
Choreography by Ohad Naharin

Program 2

Ballet BC

Twenty Eight Thousand Waves (2014)
Choreography by Cayetano Soto

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

After the Rain Pas de Deux (2005)
Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon

DanceBrazil

Malungos (2015)
Choreography by Jelon Vieira

Peggy Baker Dance Projects

fractured black (2015)
Creation and Performance by Peggy Baker and Sarah Neufeld
*FFDN COMMISSION*

Dorrance Dance

SOUNDspace (2013)
Choreography by Michelle Dorrance, adapted for FFDN

Esmerelda Enrique Spanish Dance Company

Desencuentros (2013) & Rio del Tiempo (2012)
Choreography by Juan Ogalla, restaged by Esmerela Enrique for FFDN

2016

Mainstage at Sony Centre:

Program 1

Maria Shalvarova and Alon Gilin

Vamos Juntos (Come Together) (2016)
Choreography by Maria Shalvarova and Alon Gilin
*FFDN COMMISSION*

Aszure Barton & Artists

Awáa (2012)
Choreography by Aszure Barton Company

Wang Ramirez

AP15 (2010)
Choreography by Honji Wang and Sébastien Ramirez

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

with Third Coast Percussion
Falling Angels (1989
Choreography by Jiří Kylián

Program 2

Les Grands Ballets Canadien de Montréal

Dim Light of Dawn (2016)
Choreography by Ken Ossola

Peter Chu & Anne Plamondon

A Picture of You Falling (2008)
Choreography by Crystal Pite

Natasha Bakht

786 (2016)
Choreography by Natasha Bakht
*FFDN COMMISSION*

Ukrainian Shumka Dancers

Classic Hopak (1984)
Choreography by John Pichlyk

Matinee Program

Throwdown Collective

1981FM (2013)
Choreography by Zhenya Cerneacov, Mairéad Filgate and Brodie Stevenson

Lua Shayenne and Company

Djaa (The Drought / La Sécheresse) (2013)
Choreography by Lua Shayenne

Wang Ramirez

AP15 (2010)
Choreography by Honji Wang and Sébastien Ramirez

Maria Shalvarova and Alon Gilin

Vamos Juntos (Come Together) (2016)
Choreography by Maria Shalvarova and Alon Gilin
*FFDN COMMISSION*

Ukrainian Shumka Dancers

Classic Hopak (1984)
Choreography by John Pichlyk

2017

Mainstage at Sony Centre:

Program 1

Mix Mix Dance Collective

Follow Me (2017)
Choreography by Emily Law & Ashley Perez, with live music by DJ Classic Roots

Children of Chaos (2017)

Choreography by Robert Binet, featuring an International Cast of Canadian Ballet Dancers with live music by John Kameel Farah

*FFDN COMMISSION*

BJM – Les Ballets Jazz Montréal

O Balcao de Amor (2016)
Choreography by Itzik Galili

Zata Omm Dance Projects

The Four Heavenly Kings (2007)
Choreography by William Yong, with live music by Nagata Shachu

Gauthier Dance // Dance Company Theaterhaus Stuttgart

Violoncello (1999)
Choreography by Nacho Duato

72-Person Ball Passing (2017)

Choreography by Charles Moulton, featuring an all Toronto cast
*FFDN COMMISSION*

Program 2

Michaela Hinds

Reflections of an Irish Journey (2017)
Choreography by Yzanne Noone, with live music by Pat King and Brian Grant
*FFDN COMMISSION*

BJM – Les Ballets Jazz Montréal

Kosmos (2014)
Choreography by Andonis Foniadakis

Gauthier Dance // Dance Company Theaterhaus Stuttgart

PacoPepePluto (2011)
Choreography by Alejandro Cerrudo

Dong Mei Dance

A Blossoming Apricot Branch (2006)
Choreography by Xiao Mei Zhang & Dong Mei Huang

Guangzhou Ballet

Memory on Water (2016)
Choreography by Peter Quanz

72-Person Ball Passing (2017)

Choreography by Charles Moulton, featuring an all Toronto cast
*FFDN COMMISSION*

Program 3

Gauthier Dance // Dance Company Theaterhaus Stuttgart

Ballet 102 (2017)
Choreography by Eric Gauthier

Citadel + Compagnie

Fifteen Heterosexual Duets (1991)
Choreography by James Kudelka, with live music by Andrew Burashko & Sheila Jaffé

Gauthier Dance // Dance Company Theaterhaus Stuttgart

ConrazonCorazon (2015)
Choreography by Cayetano Soto

72-Person Ball Passing (2017)

Choreography by Charles Moulton, featuring an all Toronto cast
*FFDN COMMISSION*

2018

Mainstage at Sony Centre:

Program 1

Red Sky Performance

a special edition of Adizokan (2017)
Choreography by Sandra Laronde and Jera Wolfe
with live music by the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra

Compagnie Marie Chouinard

Radical Vitality, Solos and Duets (excerpts) (2018)
Choreography by Marie Chouinard

Los Hijos Del Director/ George Céspedes

La Tribulación de Anaximandro (Hombre, Arche, Apeiron) (excerpts) (2014)
Choreography by George Céspedes

Soweto Skeleton Movers

Seven (2016)
Choreography by Soweto Skeleton Movers
A Breakin' Convention Production
Sigan (2017)
Choreography by KIM Jae Duk

Program 2

Introdans

Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen (Songs Of A Wayfarer) (2017)
Choreography by Jiří Kylián with live music by musicians from The Glenn Gould School

Obeah Opera 2019 (2019)

A Nicole Brooks vision (music & libretto) with choreography by Anthony 'Prime' Guerra with live music by the performers

The National Ballet of Canada

Paz de la Jolla (2013)
Choreography by Justin Peck with live music by The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra

Compagnie Hervé KOUBI

What the Day Owes to the Night (excerpts) (2013)
Choreography by Hervé Koubi

___

Mainstage at Ryerson:

Program 3

La Otra Orilla

RITE / a flamenco ceremony (2018)
Choreography by Myriam Allard with live music by the performers

Introdans

Canto Ostinato (2015)
Choreography by Lucinda Childs

Anne Plamondon + Belinda McGuire

Counter Cantor (2018)
Choreography by Anne Plamondon and Emma Portner
*FFDN COMMISSION*

Ballet Kelowna

MAMBO (2018)
Choreography by Alysa Pires

___

Additional Programming:

FFDN at UNION - Spring

Open Studio

Featuring open rehearsals from

School of Toronto Dance Theatre
Jane-Allison McKinney
Tanveer Alam + Harikishan S. Nair
Mix Mix Dance Collective
Form Contemporary Dance Theatre with live painter Carlos Delgado
Vazari Dance Projects
Citadel + Compagnie
Supriya Nayak
Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre
The School of Cadence Ballet
Sara Porter
Aria Evans - The Go To Company
Rebels De La Soul
Sashar Zarif Dance Theatre
Jade’s Hip Hop Academy
Susie Burpee/Robin Thomson Kacki
Rock Bottom Movement
Throwdown Collective
KasheDance
Dance Migration
Esie Mensah Creations
Kẹmi Contemporary Dance Projects
Naishi Wang
Tina Fushell/Molly Johnson/Meredith Thompson

FFDN at UNION - Fall

Perspectives in Rhythm: a taste of Toronto's finest tap dance performers

A tap performance curated by Allison Toffan, of Toffan Rhythm Projects.

Featuring Toffan Rhythm Projects, Ryan Foley, Dianne Montgomery, Rhythm and Sound, and The Rhythm Ensemble with live music by Brendan Davis,Adrean Farrugia, Jeff Halischuk, and Sophia Perlman.

Open Studio

Featuring open rehearsals and classes from

Sarah Di Iorio / Lukas Vernon
Peggy Baker Dance Projects
Alysa Pires Dance Projects

Ryerson School of Performance students' modern dance class with Louis Laberge-Côté
A ballet masterclass taught by The National Ballet of Canada principal dancer, Greta Hodgkinson
A class with Canada's National Ballet School's Sharing Dance Parkinson’s program

An Evening of Tango

with Bulent Karabagli and Lina Chan
Featuring a beginner's workshop, a milonga and performance with live music

IN MUSEUM V.2

A participatory contemporary dance performance
Choreography by Marie Chouinard
Performed by the dancers of Compagnie Marie Chouinard

2019

Mainstage at Meridian Hall:

Program 1

Toronto Dance Theatre

GH 5.0 (2018)
Choreography by Hanna Kiel with live music by Greg Harrison

The New Zealand Dance Company

Sigan (2017)
Choreography by KIM Jae Duk

Skånes Dansteater

Dare to Wreck (2017)
Choreography by Madeleine Månsson and Peder Nilsson

Grupo Corpo

Dança Sinfônica (2015)
Choreography by Rodrigo Pederneiras

Program 2

Shantala Shivalingappa

Shiva Tarangam (2010)

Choreography by Shantala Shivalingappa with live music by B.P. Haribabu, J. Ramesh, N. Ramakrishnan and K.S. Jayaram

Caroline 'Lady C' Fraser

Conversation (2019)
Choreography by Caroline 'Lady C' Fraser with live music by re.verse
*FFDN COMMISSION*

The National Ballet of Canada

The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude (1996)
Choreography by William Forsythe with live music by The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra

Ryerson School of Performance

FIDDLE EMBRACE (2018)
Choreography by Anne Plamondon with live music by Carol Solomon
*FFDN COMMISSION*

___

Mainstage at Toronto Metropolitan University Theatre

Program 3

The New Zealand Dance Company

In Transit (2015)

Choreography by Louise Potiki Bryant

Northfoot Movement / Cody Berry

Mani.Deux (2019)
Choreography by Cody Berry live music by Paul Geldart and Trion Jourdain
*FFDN COMMISSION*

Jasmin Sheppard

Choice Cut (2019)
Choreography by Jasmin Sheppard

Bulareyaung Dance Company

LUNA (Specially adapted; 2018)
Choreography by Bulareyaung Pagarlava with live accapella by the performers

___

Additional Programming:

FFDN at Union – Spring

Open Studio

Featuring open rehearsals from:

The School of Toronto Dance Theatre
Shannon Litzenberger Contemporary Dance
Neetika Sharma
Jasmyn Fyffe, in collaboration with Alicia Nauta
BoucharDanse
Canada's National Ballet School Sharing Dance Kids Program
Molly Johnson
Sampradaya Dance Creations
Nostos Collectives
DanceTeq
Newton Moraes Dance Theatre
Dasein Dance
Rodney Diverlus
George Brown Dance
in/senses Dance Collective
Belinda McGuire Dance Projects
Ritmo Flamenco
Diane Montgomery
Lua Shayenne Dance Company
City Dance Corps
JDdance
Kylie Thompson Dance
Asah Productions

FFDN at UNION - Fall

Open Studio

Featuring open rehearsals and classes from:

Northfoot Movement / Cody Berry
adelheid dance projects
Caroline 'Lady C' Fraser
Angela Blumberg
Rock Bottom Movement

Ryerson School of Performance students' modern dance class with Louis Laberge-Côté
A ballet masterclass taught by The National Ballet of Canada principal dancer, Heather Ogden
A class with Canada's National Ballet School's Sharing Dance Parkinson’s program

Habiter sa mémoire

An evolving contemporary dance installation
Choreography by Caroline Laurin-Beaucage

THE BIG SOCIAL

11 hours of social dancing, workshops and live music
Hosted in partnership with Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, Lindy Hop Revolution and Bulent & Lina Tango

Co-Presentations

who we are in the dark by Peggy Baker Dance Projects

Co-presented by FFDN in partnership with Canadian Stage along with The CanDance Network Creation Fund, Danse Danse, National Arts Centre, and The Banff Centre, this collaboration enabled Peggy Baker Dance Projects to tour Peggy's largest work to date across Canada.

Meeting Pointe

An afternoon of new ideas in contemporary ballet with live music. Presented in collaboration with Union Station and The National Ballet of Canada.

100 Years of Merce Cunningham

Co-Presented by the Art Gallery of Ontario and The Merce Cunningham Trust

Staged by Dylan Crossman

Performed by Dylan Crossman, Sara Mearns, David Norsworthy and dancers from the School of Performance at Toronto Metropolitan University

2020

2020 Signature Program (Digital Livestream):

Red Sky Performance

Flow

Executive and Artistic Director Sandra Laronde

Choreography by Jera Wolfe with music by Third Coast Percussion

Sonia Rodriguez with Piotr Stanczyk and Spencer Hack (Toronto)

Poema Ibérico

Choreography by Vanesa Garcia-Ribala Montoya

Tap Phonics (Calgary)

Fool’s Gold

Choreography and Direction by Lisa La Touche

Joshua Beamish and Rena Narumi (Vancouver)

Proximity

Choreography by Joshua Beamish

Mafa Dance Village (Toronto)

Dialogue with DNA

Choreography by Mafa Makhubalo

Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (Calgary)

TERRA

Artistic Director Kimberley Cooper

Choreography by Kimberley Cooper

*FFDN Commissioned work

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

___

Additional Programming:

A Gathering

Co-presented with The School of Performance at Toronto Metropolitan University

A film by Bobbie Jene Smith and Or Shreiber

Supported by Shamal Pitts

*FFDN Commissioned work

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

Bathtub Bran

Hosted by Bran Ramsey

Guest Artists:

Aria Evans
Emily Cheung
Esie Mensah
Guillaume Côté
Lua Shayenne
Sara Porter

Available to watch online via Bran Ramsey YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL77V2or25yo5XZ6kglVMWcVDlM8i7nI0m

*FFDN Commissioned work

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

THE BIG SOCIAL: AR Edition

Harbourfront Centre's Natrel Pond becomes a liquid dance floor for Argentine tango,

balboa and vogue. Audiences use their own device’s camera, aiming at the large image in the center of the pond to see dancers appear before their eyes.

Balboa - Luis Arredondo & Tiffany Sine

Vogue - Matthew ‘Snoopy’ Cuff and Irvin Washington ‘Vixen’

Tango - Bulent Karabagli and Lina Chan

AR Designers: Hector Centeno and Luke Garwood

Video Designer: Jeremy Mimnagh

Sound designer/Original Music: Debashis Sinha

*FFDN Commissioned work

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

The Lost Objects

Created in collaboration with Second City Toronto

Featuring:

Wilfred Lee
Phatt Al
Jillian Welsh
Carly Heffernan
Ashley Comeau
Adam Cawley

Night Shift

Created and Co-presented by Citadel + Compagnie and curated by Nova Bhattacharya, Jon Drops Reid and Santee Smith

Livestream Directed by Barbara Willis Sweete

Artists:

Swadhi Ranganee
Irma Villafuerte
Pulga Muchochoma
Kalaisan Kalaichelvan
Daniel Gomez, with Peter D’Souza
Roderick George, with Natasha Poon Woo and Roderick George

Dancing Through Time

An interactive exhibition of 14 significant Toronto dance venues, including 360º tours of three special theatres. In partnership with Dance Collection Danse.

*FFDN Commissioned work

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

Open Studio (through the window)

Andrew Tay
Naishi Wang
Meryem Alaoui / Jasad Dance
Pulga Muchochoma and Newton Morea
Atri Nundy
Irma Villafuerte
Swadhi Ranganee

2021

In-Person Programming:

Caleb Teicher & Nic Gareiss

Heirloom

Co-Presented with Public Energy Performing Arts, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and HCA Dance Theatre

Created and Performed by Caleb Teicher & Nic Gareiss

With featured performances by:

Lua Shayenne Dance Company
Arzoo Dance Theatre
Sandy Silva & Rick Haworth

*FFDN Commissioned work

___

Mainstage Digital Programming:

Côté Danse

+(dix)

Choreography by Guillaume Côté

Livestream directed by Vikram Dasgupta

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

2021 Signature Program

Co-Presented by TO Live

Film Directed by Vikram Dasgupta

Mthuthuzeli November and Siphe November

My Mother’s Son
Choreography by Mthuthuzeli November

Malpaso Dance Company

Bloom

Choreography by Aszure Barton

Nrityagram Dance Ensemble with Bijayini Satpathy

Lalita Lavanga

Choreography by Surupa Sen

*FFDN Commissioned work

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

Caleb Teicher & Co with Conrad Tao

More Forever

Co-presented by Harbourfront Centre

Choreography by Caleb Teicher, in collaboration with the dancers: Evita Arce, Nathan Bugh, Macy Sullivan, Naomi Funaki, John Manzari, Amanda Castro, Caleb Teicher

Film directed by Barbara Willis Sweete

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

___

Additional Programming:

Night Shift

Created and Co-presented by Citadel + Compagnie

Curated by Nova Bhattacharya, Jon Drops Reid and Santee Smith

Livestream Directed by Barbara Willis Sweete

Artists:

Olga Barrios
Kean Buffalo and River Waterhen
Sashar Zarif
BaKari Ifasegun Lindsay

Sara Porter + Danah Rosales and The House of Siriano

Getting to Know Your Fruit (Double-bill)

Co-presented by DanceWorks

Film and Livestream directed by William Yong

Getting to Know Your Fruit

Choreographed and Performed by Sara Porter

The Grand March of the House of Siriano

By Danah Rosales and The House of Siriano

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

her body as words

By Peggy Baker Dance Projects

This project was part of ArtworxTO: Toronto's Year of Public Art 2021–2022

Away to Create

Short documentary film by Jeremy Mimnagh

Featuring Natasha Powell – artistic director of Holla Jazz (Toronto) and 11 students from The School of Performance Dance Program at Toronto Metropolitan University

*FFDN Commissioned work

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

Together Again

Co-presented by The School of Performance at Toronto Metropolitan University

Choreographed by Natasha Powell

Dancers:

Alli Carry

Alysis Davis

Cailin Teranishi

Celeste Chiappetta

Chrystal Tam

Karly Benson

Liam Woodvine

Monique Pascall

Morgan Carroll

Sierra Kellman

Zoe Kwan

*FFDN Commissioned work

Jazz in Motion: Portraits of Syncopated Souls

Co-presented with Union Station and in collaboration with Dance Collection Danse

Exhibition curated by Natasha Powell and Kimberley Cooper

*FFDN Commissioned work

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

___

Year-Round Programming:

TESSEL

Co-Presented by Harbourfront Centre

Written and Directed by Esie Mensah

https://www.tessel.film

*FFDN Commissioned work

**FFDN Original Digital Programming

Merce Cunningham Double Feature

100 Years of Merce Cunningham

Co-Presented by the Art Gallery of Ontario and The Merce Cunningham Trust

Staged by Dylan Crossman

Performed by Dylan Crossman, Sara Mearns, David Norsworthy and dancers from the School of Performance at Toronto Metropolitan University

Summerspace

By Ballet West

2022

In-Person Programming:

Meridian Hall:

2022 Signature Programme

Diane Montgomery and Friends

Softly Losing, Softly Gaining

Choreography by Diane Montgomery

*FFDN Commissioned work

Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina o Ka La

Kau Hea A Hiiaka

Choreography by Kaleo Trinidad

Michael Greyeyes

Zipangu, co-presented with Soundstreams

Film by Michael Greyeyes/Signal Theatre

Performance by musician from The Royal Conservatory of Music

Students of Canada’s National Ballet School

Arise

Choreography by Jera Wolfe

___

Toronto Metropolitan University Theatre:

Holla Jazz + Decidedly Jazz Danceworks

Margarita

Performed by Holla Jazz

Choreography by Natasha Powell

*FFDN Commissioned work

Family of Jazz

Performed by Decidedly Jazz Danceworks

Choreographed by Kimberly Cooper

___

Indigenous Enterprise

Indigenous Liberation

Performers:

Kenneth Shirley
Jorge Gonzales
Kiara Love Flores
Nanabah Kadenehii
Freddy Gipp
Kehew Buffalo
Tymon Carter
Dominic Pablo

___

Additional Programs:

Night Shift:

Created and Co-presented by Citadel + Compagnie

Curated by Penny Couchie, Christine Friday and Dedra McDermott

Artists:

Ana Claudette Groppler
Candace Kumar
Carleen Zouboules & Vania Dodoo-Beals
Kieran Heralall
Kiyo Asaoka
Mushtari Afroz & Christine Samuel
Samantha Sutherland
Sofía Ontiveros
Stuti Mukherjee

___

Heirloom

Co-Presented with Public Energy Performing Arts, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Arts Orillia and Evergreen Brick Works

Choreography by Zack Martel and Santiago Rivera Laugerud

Dancers:

Basile Pucek
Daniel Stefek
Clémence Dinard
Philippe Dupuis

Musicians:
Daniel Hamin Go
Michael Bridge
Brad Cherwin

*FFDN Commissioned work

___

The Big Social

Co-presented with Union Station

Lindy Hop Workshop facilitated by Dina & Aleks

___

Hybrid/Digital Programming:

8-Count Film Series

Guest curator, Esie Mensah

Featured filmmakers:

TRAX (an Excerpt)

Written and Directed by Lisa La Touche, Co-Directed by Joel Varjassy

Our Bodies Back

Directed by Jonzi D, Poetry by jessica Care Moore

AUTOCORRECT

Directed by Jonzi D, Poetry by Saul Williams

The Child Within

Choreographed by Vania Dodoo-Beals, Directed by Devante Thomas

Slipping

Directed and Choreographed by Roshanak Jaberi and Karen Kaeja

Inklings

Commissioned and co-presented by Ballet Unleashed, Directed and Choreographed by Loughlan Prior

..Savannah?

Directed and Choreographed by Zui Gomez

Family of Jazz

Film Directed by Miha Matevzic

Choreography by Natasha Powell and Kimberly Cooper

2023

Mainstage at Meridian Hall:

Heartbeats: Signature Programme 1

Pulga Muchochoma

Mascara

choreographed by Pulga Muchochoma

Candoco Dance Company

I think we should start over

by Jamaal Burkmar

Gibney Company

BLISS

by Johan Inger

Ballet BC

Heart Drive

by Marne and Imre Van Opstal

_____

Unbowed: Signature Programme 2

Graduates of Dance Department at The Creative School, Toronto Metropolitan University

Light Print

choreographed by Jesse Obremski

**FFDN original commission

Gibney Company

Oh Courage!

choreographed by Sonya Tayeh

Mthuthuzeli November and Siphe November

My Mother’s Son

choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November

Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black

Nina: by whatever means

choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November

_____

Swan Song Screening + Live Performance and Artist Talk

A CBC original documentary series, a special FFDN event

Swan Song

A Visitor Media Production

Produced in Association with Mercury Films Inc. and Quiet Ghost

Presented in Association with Dogwoof

Created by Chelsea McMullan & Sean O’Neill

Directed by Chelsea McMullan

Live Performance:

Act III Pas de Deux, excerpted from Swan Lake, performed by The National Ballet of Canada Principal Dancers Genevieve Penn Nabity as Odile and Christopher Gerty as Prince Siegfried. Accompanied by live pianist Zhenya Vitort.

Artist Talk featuring:

Karen Kain (Swan Lake Director/Choreographer)

Jurgita Dronina (National Ballet Principal Dancer)

Siphesihle November (National Ballet Principal Dancer)

Arielle Miralles (National Ballet Corps de Ballet Member)

Chelsea McMullan (SWAN SONG Co-Creator)

Sean O'Neill (SWAN SONG Co-Creator)

moderated by Seika Boye

_____

Mainstage at Ada Slaight Hall:

Charlotte Ballet

Kamuyot

Choreographed by Ohad Naharin

_____

Additional Programming:

Night Shift

Co-Presenting with Citadel + Compagnie:

Artists:

Alireza Kaymanesh

Maria Serrano

Shameka Blake

Cori Giannotta

Collective of Scenic Exchange

Rumi Jeraj

Baffour Kwasi Obeng-Adjei

Millo Dance Projects

Serwaa Daley

8-Count Film Series

amalgaMOTION

Co-Directed by Adam Daniel Mezei and Crystal Finn-Dunn

Burn From The Inside

Ballet Black on Film. Directed and Choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November

Challah

Choreographed and performed by Karen and Allen Kaeja. Directed by Moze Mossanen

Circular Labyrinth

Choreographed by Margie Gillis. Directed by Louis-Martin Charest. Performed by Ruth Naomi Levin

The Euphorian

A film by William Yong. Choreography by Lina Cruz. Featuring Sylvie Bouchard. Produced by BoucharDanse.

Locked

Choreographed by Roberto Campanella. Directed by Moze Mossanen. Performed by Dani Jazzar and Johanna Bergfelt

Lucid Space

Directed and Choreographed by Geanderson Mello and Mio Sakamoto

Reflejos del Tiempo (Reflections of Time)

Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company

Tkaronto Open

A Premier Jingle Dress Dance Competition to celebrate indigenous culture and beauty

Produced by Freddy Gipp (Leadhorse LLC) and Thunder Jack

Host Drum: Smoke Trail Singers

Arena Director & Head Judge: Acosia Red Elk

Master of Ceremony: Ruben Little Head Sr.

_____

Year-Round Programming:

[in]verse

An album of poetry and music

(Now available for purchase, online streaming and download)

Curator & lead Cellist Arlen Hlusko

Poetry readings by:

Vanesa Garcia-Ribala Montoya
Anne Plamondon
Victor Quijada
Shantala Shivalingappa
Michael Greyeyes
Margaret Grenier
Rhodnie Désir
Emma Portner
Peggy Baker
Quentin VerCetty
Esie Mensah
Sean Dorsey
Mthuthuzeli November

_____

FFDN at Union - Spring

Inflorescence

A weekend of pop-up dance performances to celebrate Toronto’s next-generation artists and the coming of Spring.

Featuring performances by:

National Ballet of Canada; CreativeAction, led by Robert Binet
Students from York U Department of Dance
Students from Performance at The Creative School, Toronto Metropolitan University
Students from Canada’s National Ballet School
Ballet Creole, Choreography by Patrick Parson

2024

Mainstage at The Chrysalis, Toronto Metropolitan University:

Signature Programme: Homecoming

Ballet Edmonton

Feel No More

Choreographed by Anne Plamondon

Malpaso Dance Company

La Última Canción

Choreographed by Daile Carrazano

The National Ballet of Canada

Islands

Choreographed by Emma Portner

_____

Company Wayne McGregor

Autobiography V98 + V99

Choreographed by Wayne McGregor

_____

Travis Knights

Travis Knights The Mars Project

Choreographed by Travis Knights

Supported by 2022 CanDance Network Creative Exchange Project

_____

Mainstage at the Betty Oliphant Theatre:

Rock Bottom Movement

Big Time Miss

Choreographed by Alyssa Martin

_____

Mainstage at Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre:

Côté Danse

Burn Baby, Burn

Choreographed by Guillaume Côté

Original score by Amos Ben-Tal

_____

Additional Programming:

Propellor Dance

Waiting in the wings no more

Choreographed by Lucy Bennett and Renata Soutter

8-Count Film Series

Body Language
by Michael Petruzzelli

Foujita Foujita
by Mayumi Lashbrook

Ghost
by John Manzari

Racks
by The Seaweed Sisters

S A L ó P I C A II
by Serenella Sol

SMASHED
by Michael J. Munoz and Federica Marchese

Undertones
by Kat Castro

Vivaldi Spring I
by YYC Dance Company

We Know Who You Are
by Ryan Renshaw

Night Shift

Co-presented with The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance

Programmed by dance artists Olga Barrios, Rachana Joshi and Samantha Sutherland

Artists:

Sarah Di Iorio
Millina Fletcher
Marvel Itemuagbor
Neena Jayarajan
Carmen Romero
Eilish 미정 Shin-Culhane
Speakeasy
Priyanka Tope
Logan Whyte

Tkaronto Open II

Co-presented with Union

Women’s Jingle Dress and Men’s Fancy War vs. Women’s Fancy Shawl

Producer: Freddy Gipp (Lawrence, KS)
Associate Producer: Thunder Jack (Ontario)
Head Judge: Acosia Red Elk (Pendleton, OR)
Arena Director: Ryland Moore (Pawnee, OK)
Master of Ceremony: Adrian Harjo (Six Nations, ON)
Host Drum: Smoke Trail Singers (Ontario), Walking Buffalo (Big River First Nation, SK)

_____

Studio 24 - Celebrating a Decade of Fall for Dance North

Nederlands Dans Theater

Midnight Raga

Choreography by Marco Goecke

Malpaso Dance Company

Stillness in Bloom (excerpt)

Choreography by Aszure Barton

Peggy Baker World Premiere

The Ones Ahead

Choreographed by Peggy Baker

Lady C Fraser & Raoul Wilke

2025

Mainstage at The Bluma Appel Theatre:

AFROFUSION: Signature Programme 1

Dickson Mbi Company

Duende

Choreographed & performed by Dickson Mbi

Esie Mensah Creations

ESHI

Choreographed by Esie Mensah

Sekou McMiller and Friends

Afro Latin Soul

Choreographed by Sekou McMiller in collaboration with the artists of SM&F

_____

HOMEGROWN: Signature Programme 2

Caroline “Lady C” Fraser

CYMATIX

Choreographed & performed by Caroline “Lady C” Fraser

The National Ballet of Canada

Reverence

Choreographed by Ethan Colangelo

Lua Shayenne Dance Company

Journey to the Motherland

Choreographed by Lua Shayenne

Kwasi Obeng Adjei and Ambrose Tjark

Echoes of the same tree

Choreographed by Kwasi Obeng Adjei and Ambrose Tjark

_____

KATHAK & BALLET: Signature Programme 3

Tanveer Alam

Haazri

Choreographed and performed by Tanveer Alam

Tanveer Alam and Barkha Patel

Shanaasai • شناسائی

Choreographed by Tanveer Alam

The Royal Ballet

The Dying Swan

Choreographed by Mikhail Fokine

Dance of the Blessed Spirits

Choreographed by Frederick Ashton

Infra

Choreographed by Wayne McGregor

Winter Dreams

Choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan

Dheerenda Tiwari

SHIVO-AHAM AN ODE TO THE SOUL

Choreographed by Guru Pt. Rajendra Gangani

Nad-Roop

Chaturang ki Chaupal

Choreographed by Shama Bhaté

_____

Mainstage at The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance

Intimate Pairings

Jossua Satinée and Stacey Désilier

Braids & Heritage

Choreographed by Jossua Satinée & Stacey Désilier

Katie Adams-Gossage

gutted

Choreographed by Kate Adams-Gossage

Priyanka Topé

Pendulum

Choreographed and performed by Priyanka Topé

_____

Mainstage at The Great Hall, OCAD University:

UP NEXT: Signature Programme 4

Azzam Mohamed

Glad

Choreographed and performed by Azzam Mohamed

Jingle Dress Champion Dancers

Jingle Dress Dancers: Marley Fairfield, Yanabah Whitehorse

Drummer: Thunder Jack

Devon Healey and Esie Mensah

Dancing With Blindness

Creators: Devon Healey, Esie Mensah, Amelie Giusta, Kwasi Obeng

_____

Additional Programming:

Kate Hilliard: Story Creatures

Story Creatures

Created by Kate Hilliard

Presented in Partnership with Art Gallery of Ontario

Night Shift

Co-presented with The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance

Programmed by curator Natasha Powell

Artists:

Aisha Nicholson
Arma Dharma
Ben King
Derek Souvannavong
Kass Prus
Ranganathan Rajan
Rhythm & Sound
Stuti Mukherjee
Vishakha Ghosh
Yui Ugai

Tkaronto Open II

Co-presented with Union

Women’s Jingle Dress Showcase: Old Style vs Contemporary

Producer and Arena Director: Freddy Gipp (Lawrence, KS)
Associate Producer and Master of Ceremony: Thunder Jack (Ontario)
Assistant Producer and Head Dance Judge: Kyana Kingbird (Ontario)
Host Drum: Smoke Trail Singers (Ontario), Walking Buffalo (Big River First Nation, SK)

Fall for Dance North consists of a year-round core team, strengthened and supported by a bright constellation of accomplished seasonal additions. The expertise, creativity, passion and hard work of our permanent and seasonal staff, partners, collaborators, dedicated board and volunteers combine to nurture and realize festivals of astounding beauty, annually.

Year-Round Staff

Lily Sutherland

Festival Director & Co-CEO

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Robert Binet

Artistic Director & Co-CEO

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Aviva Fleising

General Manager

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Melissa Forstner

Director of Advancement and Communications

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Felicia Myronyk

Manager of Advancement

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Melina Osorio

Finance Officer

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Simon Rossiter

Director of Design

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Barney Bayliss

Director of Production

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Markéta Tokova

Senior Producer

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Julia Mak

Festival & Volunteer Coordinator

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Ilter Ibrahimof

Artistic Director Emeritus

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2025 Seasonal Staff

Zita Nyarady

Company Manager

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Angela Xu

Company Manager

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Lucy Rupert

Education & Engagement Coordinator

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Cass Cabral Pucci

Community Arts Coordinator

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Noah Feaver

Associate Lighting Designer

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Jon Reid

Marketing Coordinator

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Maria Al Sa'di

Patrons Services & Administrative Coordinator

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Year Round Collaborators

Web Development and Graphic Design Team Mouth Media

Publicity & Communications Murray Patterson Marketing Group

Financial Services Robert Gore and Associates

Board of Directors

Chair Karen Sparks
Director, Philanthropic Advisory Services BMO Private Wealth

Treasurer Gerry Hannochko
Advising Representative (Portfolio Manager), Dealing Representative - Qwest Investment Fund Management Ltd.

Aleksandar Antonijevic
Fine Art Photographer, Teacher, Coach and Stager of Ballets

Peggy Baker, C.M., O.Ont, L.L.D, D.Litt
Dancer, Choreographer, Educator, Artist-in-Residence, Canada's National Ballet School

Marah Braye
Arts Executive

Erin Eizenman
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, MaRS Discovery District

Tanya Howard
Former First Soloist, The National Ballet of Canada

Jim Hwang
Chief Operating Officer, Firinne Capital

Amanda Song
The Globe and Mail, Brand Partnership Manager

Zdenko Teply
Director, Strategic Transactions & Review, Scotiabank

Chair Emeritus Valerie Wilder

Chair Emeritus Joan Lozinski, O.C.

Are you looking for fulfilling work in the arts? Want to meaningfully help enhance the profile of Toronto’s Premier International Dance Festival?

We hire a number of seasonal staff for our festival each fall, as well as offer other paid opportunities throughout the year. As we grow, we seek creative, collaborative, and hard-working individuals with unique skills and experiences to strengthen our small but mighty team.

We are not currently hiring. Please check again for future postings.

Volunteer with FFDN!

Are you a dance-lover, arts advocate, adventure seeker, community builder, or simply looking to meet new people and connect meaningfully with the arts in Toronto?

As a not-for-profit charitable organization, Fall for Dance North depends on the enthusiastic support of volunteers to help make the festival happen! We provide opportunities for volunteers (age 18+) to gain new skills, develop a social network, and represent the FFDN brand while directly engaging with our audiences.

Applications are now closed. Thank you to all who expressed interest in volunteering with us!

Although the majority of volunteer opportunities take place during the festival, we have additional opportunities to get involved throughout the year. To sign up for our Newsletter, please email volunteers@ffdnorth.com.

Photo by Kendra Epik.

Photo by Marlowe Porter.

Photo by Marlowe Porter

Photo by Marlowe Porter.

Photo by Bruce Zinger

Photo by Drew Barry.

Volunteer at 8-Count film series, FFDN 2022, Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre at York university. Photo by Marlowe Porter.

Photo by Kendra Epik

Volunteer Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements for volunteering?

All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. We value diversity and welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, with all levels of experience. Volunteers must be able to travel to and complete in-person shifts in downtown Toronto.

How do I apply to become a volunteer?

Applications are currently closed. Please email volunteers@ffdnorth.com to be notified when volunteer applications open.

Will there be a training session?

We host a mandatory volunteer orientation before the festival to familiarize our volunteers with programming, venues, roles, and accessibility training. If you are unable to attend for any reason, please contact volunteers@ffdnorth.com. Excused absences will not prevent your ability to volunteer.

What are the roles and responsibilities?

Volunteer roles include but are not limited to Festival Greeters, Festival Runners, Ticket Scanners, Ushers, Team Leaders, Airport/Hotel Greeters, Office Administrative Assistants, and Merchandise Table Support.

Is there a required minimum amount of shifts?

There is no quota of shifts to be completed, however, volunteers who complete three or more shifts receive a complimentary ticket to selected FFDN performances.