In August 2021, Toronto-based dancer, choreographer and director Shannon Litzenberger presented the work Everyday Marvels: A Prairie Encounter at Remai Modern.
Originally from rural Saskatchewan, Litzenberger was inspired by the work of poet Lorna Crozier and her collection of short lyrical essays The Book of Marvels: A Compendium of Everyday Things.
The project invited audiences to reconsider the stuff of everyday life. Set in Remai Modern’s functional and in-between spaces, Litzenberger choreographed a series of poetic encounters where quotidian objects such as a mop, a doorknob, and even air and darkness, become powerful metaphors.
Exploring movement, sound and poetry, Litzenberger—with dancers Ceinwen Gobert, Lindsay Harpham, Mitchell Larsen and Kyle Syverson—developed the work in the museum over a two-week period.
Litzenberger produced four short films for Everyday Marvels: A Prairie Encounter, which you can watch below. Videography and editing was done by Kenton Doupe, with sound design by Darren Miller.
Concept and Choreography: Shannon Litzenberger
Dancers: Ceinwen Gobert, Lindsay Harpham, Mitchell Larsen, Kyle Syverson
Sound design: Darren Miller
Videography and Editing: Kenton Doupe
Poetry: Lorna Crozier, The Book of Marvels: A Compendium of Everyday Things
About Shannon Litzenberger
Shannon Litzenberger is Toronto-based contemporary dancer and choreographer. She creates innovative multi-disciplinary productions that explore timely social issues using contemporary dance in concert with other mediums like storytelling, film, visual art and poetry. She often develops unique collaborations across art forms and communities, connecting people with artistic experiences through engagement in creative process.
Explore her work further at shannonlitzenberger.com.