About Eilers Dance Theatre

Eilers is the founder of the newly established EILERS Dance Theatre and TRANScendARTS, a creative initiative supporting gender non-conforming children through dance. In 2014, Eilers founded award winning Aeris Körper Contemporary Dance in Hamilton, Ontario. Eilers has created over eighteen immersive, site-specific performances across the GTA. With a career spanning 23 years in Canada, Europe, and New York, Eilers is a versatile dance artist—working as a director, choreographer, mentor, and performer. They have held residencies at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, FLIGHT with Côté Danse/Crow's Theatre, and Open Space with the National Ballet of Canada. Eilers also participated in the 2022 COLOURS International Dance Festival in Stuttgart, Germany, under Shahar Binyamini. Collaborating with artists such as Andrea Nann and Peggy Baker, Eilers actively addresses oppressive systems through workshops and public engagement with organizations like Righting Relations, Neighbour 2 Neighbour, and McMaster University. They are currently on the artistic staff at Canada's National Ballet School. 

Born on the Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe, Danielle graduated from the Professional Program of the National Ballet of Canada in 2002, concomitantly training and performing with the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre. After her studies, Danielle spent two years working with Desrosiers Dance Company and three seasons with Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, followed by freelance work with ProArte Danza, Dreamwalker Dance Company and ezdanza. In addition to her contributions to the world of dance, Danielle holds a BA in Child Studies, a Master’s Degree in Social Justice Education, and is currently a PhD Candidate at the prestigious Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, where she is looking to develop a teacher’s curriculum in Holistic Health Promotion for application with K-12 populations. Her research emerges from both her own story of illness and recovery,  

as well as her last ten years of work as a Registered Yoga Teacher, Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Teacher Trainer of the Aeküus Functional Movement technique, focusing on chronic & auto-immune disease prevention and recovery, joint care for all ages and joyful living throughout the seasons of our lives! Danielle has been with Pia Bouman School as the YMI Youth Dance Company Teacher since 2022.

Cardwell shares dance with people of all ages, physical capabilities, and skill levels. He is proud to be a queer artist working on Indigenous land we call Canada.   His professional career began as a dancer with Toronto Dance Theatre and continues as a freelance dance artist and teacher. His international presence spans Holland, Mexico, USA, and Italy. ​ Zachary has lead dance workshops and classes at Canada's National Ballet School, University of Toronto, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, and Assemblée Internationale.  ​ Since 2022, Zachary has been on faculty at Canada's National Ballet School. Programs engaged with community impact drives Zachary to question what dance can be, how dance can be, and for whom.  

Willey is a Chinese-Canadian dance artist, choreographer and actor Tkaronto (Toronto), Ontario. Their personal artistic practice explores healing, intersectional feminism, bi-racial and Asian identity, social justice and activism, and curiosity for life’s meaning. Kaela has danced with Coastal City Ballet, Ballet Victoria, Ballet Ouest de Montreal, Wondersee Entertainment/Cineplex, the Canadian Opera Company, Nova Dance, Chimera Project, ĀNANDAṀ Dance, and Transcen|Dance Project. She has also performed works and collaborated with artists Sze-Yang Ade-Lam, Nomi Wiersma, Tara Butler, Marisa Ricci, Sujata Goel and Sid Ryan Eilers. Kaela’s choreographic work, "lifeline", has been presented at PROSPECTS by Aeris Körper. They have modelled on a cover and twelve-page spread for Culture Magazin, and have appeared in several print and film commercials. Their film and television credits include Star Trek: Discovery, American Gods, Dancing Through the Shadow, New Monuments, and How To Die Alone. 

Edwards is a dance artist, model and creative based here in Toronto. Her dance training spans from contemporary, ballet, to hip hop and other styles. Zoe joined several pre-professional training companies such as the OIP Dance Company and DARK Dance Company to expand her training while attending the University of Toronto.   A few of Zoë’s recent performance credits include the inaugural “Free Up! Emancipation Day”, a CBC special celebrating Black Canadian artists, Disney’s “Sneakerella”, the short dance film “A Revolution of Love” choreographed by Esie Mensah, DanceOntario Festival, Fashion Art Toronto, Raptor’s & Maple Leafs Half Time Shows and more. She recently had the opportunity to sing and dance behind the likes of Jann Arden, Michael Bublé and Deborah Cox for Canadian Tire’s 100 Year Anniversary.  
 

Lo is an actor, writer, and director, whose creative journey spans Toronto, Montreal, and Taipei.

They were the choreographer for the musical theatre production, ANIVIA, from its initial concept at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre to its excerpt presentation at CAMINOS 2023 Festival (Aluna Theatre). Additionally, Chase served as the workshop choreographer for Aaron Jan's PING!, a coming-of-age sports comedy at Tarragon Theatre. In their directorial debut, Chase co-wrote, directed, and starred in the short film 'Something's Phishy’ which was selected as the winner of the fifth Queer Your Stories Short Film Pitch Competition by outACTRAto (ACTRA Toronto’s 2SLGBTQIA+ committee) and had its world premiere at the 2024 InsideOut 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival. Chase can be currently seen as Okul in Ubisoft's 'Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora' and the upcoming Sony Pictures TV series ‘Doc.’
 

 Kitchings is a arts-based work in the community stems from her outreach experience with youth in Ontario. She has used performing and literary arts to bridge gaps among people who speak different languages, come from different backgrounds, and have different comfort levels performing. Her research in voice and trauma has inspired her to experiment with new approaches to performance, particularly the bodily implications of voice and sound. Shannon is exploring the ways everyone, regardless of artistic training or experience, can communicate complex subject matter through the arts. This exploration is founded in embodiment.

 Humphrey is a Black Trans Artist, Tarot Reader, and Movement Instructor and Videographer based in Hamilton, ON. They have finished GOODBODYFEEL 200hrTT in 2018 and remain an instructor at the studio. They completed their Certificate with New Leaf Foundation, with the Reaching In, Reaching out program. Deepening their education in trauma informed movement, gender inclusive language and anti-oppressive frameworks. They are also currently in Diane Bondy’s 300hrYTT program deepening their education in Decolonized Yoga and Justice Work. Clairandean is collaborating with various photographers, film makers, artists and writers around Hamilton City. 

 Lacambra is a dedicated social justice advocate and empowered embodiment educator, integrating practices like Pilates, yoga, somatics, and mindfulness. Through all-body-loving movement classes, teacher training, personal development programs, and individual somatic soul coaching, Robin empowers individuals to serve the collective good. Their goal is to foster mindful movement, body positivity, and awareness of the intersection between physical practice, social justice, and anti-oppression. 

Lewis-Waddell is a queer Black singer-songwriter, producer, and musician, crafting music since 2017. Through my art, I delve into the complex intersections of my identities, shaping my worldview and artistic expression. My music serves as a platform to scrutinize notions of identity, beliefs, community, and relationships, reflecting my journey of understanding, healing, and self-love.

MacArthur has over 20 years of experience as an independent costumier for performing artists. Additionally, she is an interpretive dance artist, choreographer, aerialist, and stilt walker. She serves as the resident costumier for Hamilton Aerial Group (HAG) and has worked with various other groups and artists, including Aeris Korper, Femmes du Feu, and Red Betty Theatre. Tanis has contributed to independent films such as "The Sail Tree" and "A Windigo Tale," and she has been recognized for her designs, placing third nationally in the Smirnoff International Fashion Awards 1994. She is also known for her outdoor installation "The Arctic Fox," created in collaboration with Cobalt Connects.

Mudge is a trans non-binary dance artist and choreographer from the Niagara region. I’m an emerging artist who is currently navigating an art form, workforce and society that was not built for me. I’m no stranger to the theatre as well. I previously worked in the Theatre industry, having stage managed for several years (credits include Mamma Mia, Legally Blonde, Oliver) and I’ve been performing since I was a teenager (credits include Addams Family, Rent, Chicago). I love having the opportunity to tell real-life stories in new and innovative ways.

  Chattertion is a renowned librettist, playwright, and performer. She was twice a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, in 2017 for "Within the Glass," and in 2018 for "Gertrude and Alice," co-written with Evalyn Parry. Her solo play, "Quiver," was a finalist for the 2019 Hamilton Literary Awards. Commissioned by The Shaw Festival, she adapted "The Horse and His Boy," premiered in 2019. "Cowgirl Up," commissioned by Alberta Theatre Projects, became a podcast for PlayME/CBC radio. Anna has multiple Dora Mavor Moore