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Debra Brown Choreographer "I don't look at movement as being stylized. I don't see myself as a choreographer of any particular type of dance." —Debra Brown A virtuoso in the emotion of movement, former gymnast–turned-dancer choreographer Debra Brown is world renowned for her unique choreographies blending acrobatics and dance. Passionate about acrobatics from a very early age, Debra began studying gymnastics at nine, and went on to explore the creative possibilities of dance. After obtaining degrees in physical education from the University of Western Ontario and fine arts from York University in Toronto, she headed for Vancouver in 1978, where she created choreographies for prestigious local dance companies and the Canadian gymnastics team. Ever keen to diversify and reinvent, Debra continued forging her impressive and unconventional creative path, working with artists and groups from a wide variety of disciplines. At the 1990 Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris, her work with a group of contortionists – showcasing her famous “quadruped choreography” in which four people become a vehicle – won her the Soviet Press Award for Most Outstanding Choreographer. She also choreographed for the world premiere of John Corigliano’s opera The Ghosts of Versailles, presented at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and Wagner’s Ring cycle, put on by the Lyric Opera of Chicago. In 1995, she worked with Luciano Pavarotti on the Metropolitan Opera’s production of La Fille du Régiment (The Daughter of the Regiment) in New York. Debra continued to define and expand the boundaries of her art, creating and producing Apogée, a 50-minute trampoline-based ballet which premiered in Toronto in 1994. An excerpt of Apogée was presented in both Los Angeles and San Francisco at “Passport ’96,” an AIDS Benefit hosted by Elizabeth Taylor and Magic Johnson. The Apogée troupe performed at the 1997 NFL Super Bowl Party with George Clinton and The P-Funk Band in New Orleans, and has appeared at many prestigious galas throughout North America and Europe. At the height of her international fame, Debra set her sights on the world of rock music, choreographing Aerosmith’s “Jaded” video and energetic performance for the American Music Awards in 2001, as well as Madonna’s “Drowned” world tour the same year. Debra has also worked with major musical acts such as Shakira and Wyclef Jean (2006 World Cup Soccer finals), Celine Dion and Madonna, and her film work includes Catwoman, Van Helsing and Barney’s Great Adventure. Over the years, Debra has picked up numerous prizes and awards. At the 14th Bob Fosse Awards in Los Angeles in 1997, she received the Innovative Choreography Award in honor of her exceptional contribution to choreography and dance. In 2002, she received an Emmy for her choreography of an act created by Cirque du Soleil for the Academy Awards. "To choreograph the movements of the ZED artists I have relied on the rhythm inherent in the acrobatic numbers I'm working on,“ says Debra. “The artists are all completely different and come from completely different cultures. It’s my role to draw out the best from each of them.” Debra Brown was born in Brantford, Ontario. For further information please contact Press Services. |
