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Athena Lucie Assamba is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary artist. Being of Cameroonian origin, it is in her native land that she begins her initiation into traditional and modern African dances and later, after arriving in Montréal, she discovers waacking, which she adds to her movement mosaic. Athena also expresses her art through various other mediums, such as fashion, music and singing, which are all part of her universe. She describes her art as the product of the mysticism of the African essence: its spirituality, its culture, its imagination and all its states of existence. Through her art, she explores ancestral and untransmitted knowledge, healing, and freedom.

Leah W. Danga is a multidisciplinary artist born in Montréal with Kenyan and Cameroonian roots. For the past five years, she has specialized in African street and traditional dances, while also incorporating other styles such as popping and hip hop. Her career began with the group prospects (2018-2019) before joining Afro Dojo in 2020, an initiative aimed at promoting African and Caribbean cultures, especially in Montréal and Québec. Leah co-choreographed pieces like 129 amoroso and Enta di dojo lab, presented at Festival MURAL and the OYOFE Festival in Barcelona. She also shares her knowledge through lectures and workshops on dance and braiding, notably at John Abbott College and McGill University. From 2019 to 2022, she taught African modern dance styles at École secondaire Saint-Laurent. On top of this, Leah runs her own hair business, Locs By Leah, and expresses her creativity through fashion.

​Tiffanie Boffa is a lighting designer, scenographer, and performer. She works to create sensorial and visual atmospheres, informed by her background as a contemporary dancer. As a lighting designer, she collaborated with multiple artist in theatre, dance and the performing arts, like Gabrielle Lessard, Guillermina Kerwin, Jon Lachlan Stewart, Hanna Sybille Müller, Simon Renaud, La Tresse, Véronique Giasson, Marie Béland, 100Lux, the company We All Fall Down, and Sébastien Provencher.

Our creative process began with an exploration of the movement of masked dancers among the Bamileke people from western Cameroon. We analyze the movements that often come up and that speak to us, and then fuse them with our vocabulary of African street dances, including afro house, mbolé, ndombolo, azonto, etc. After exploring more corporeal states, we now analyze the character of the spirit of these masks, playing with the different textures they can evoke. It’s important for us to know the origins of these elements of our cultures, so in parallel with the physical exploration we document ourselves by reading various books and articles about African masks, and above all we consult people in contact with these masks, who inform us of their significance and importance in their culture. This work does not represent the mask itself, but rather an exploration of what it exudes and an affirmation of its living side.

Gabriela Jovian-Mazon, aka Ellégance, is a playful, theatrical, and character-based movement artist driven by discovery, collectivity, and authenticity. Her training includes Mexican folkloric dancing, a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, and experience as a puppeteer. She has danced for the Scooby-Doo and the Lost City of Gold musical, the physical comedy show Michel!, and contemporary company Ample Man Danse. She has presented work at Ville de Montréal, the Fringe Festival, Vue sur la Relève, Art-Fulness Whacking Festival, and Festival de Danse Contemporaine de Sherbrooke. Currently, her movement is most inspired by punking dance, authentic jazz dance, miming, and puppeteering. Punking has brought her to battle and learn in Los Angeles, Mexico, Italy, and Greece. In her eccentric work, she creates characters by defining their gestures, ways of moving and intentions that create texture. She believes that by sharing true stories, our lived experiences and culture, we can create a more resilient community.

Growing up immersed in theatre, music, and gymnastics, Maude Laurin-Beaulieu aka Moodz, discovered her passion for dance around the age of 16. Eager to expand her knowledge, she attends École de danse contemporaine de Montréal from 2017 to 2020. In the meantime, she meets Axelle Munezero, who introduces her to the Montréal street dance community and waacking. Since then, Maude has been involved in various projects in the contemporary scene, nightlife, as well as battles in street dance communities. In 2023, she co-founds Supernature, an event designed for the queer community that aims to create accessible spaces for everyone.

Based in Montréal, Antoine Findeli, aka Flame, is an undisciplinary artist who works with movement. His journey began at a young age with streetdance and he then trained in dance, circus, and physical theatre around the globe (Canada, France, Belgium, and Mexico). His work transcends the boundaries of styles, as he believes the human body has the power to tell stories through all kinds of movements. He also works for a better recognition of waacking and club culture in the living arts, and aims to create inspiring spaces and events for the local queer community.

Originally from the South Shore of Montréal, Alex Turcotte begins his artistic journey in his high school music program, through which he has the opportunity to play clarinet in New York and win several soloist awards. Pursuing his dream of becoming a professional dancer, Alex moves to Montréal/Tiohtià:ke in 2021 to train as a performer at École de danse contemporaine de Montréal, while also practicing waacking with Axelle Munezero. He graduates in 2024 and joins the team for Bouge de là’s latest creation, Un nuage dans mon ventre.

A graduate from the contemporary dance program at UQAM, Martine Castera also specializes in streetdance, more specifically in popping, waacking and hip hop, not to mention her 14 years of practicing karate. An established freelancer on the Montréal scene, she participates in various events, shows, festivals, battles, creations and music videos as a performer and choreographer with several personal creations to her credit. A member of the Regroupement québécois de la danse, she continues to improve and dance internationally as well as invest and give back to various communities through teaching and cultural mediation prioritizing inclusion, individuality, and authenticity.

​Tiffanie Boffa is a lighting designer, scenographer, and performer. She works to create sensorial and visual atmospheres, informed by her background as a contemporary dancer. As a lighting designer, she collaborated with multiple artist in theatre, dance and the performing arts, like Gabrielle Lessard, Guillermina Kerwin, Jon Lachlan Stewart, Hanna Sybille Müller, Simon Renaud, La Tresse, Véronique Giasson, Marie Béland, 100Lux, the company We All Fall Down, and Sébastien Provencher.

Building upon my previous punking group works Clue and Stars, with Find Your Light I will explore group choreography inspired by clubbing culture, board games, cinematic theatrics as well as the 1979 Diana Ross performance video with punkers. In my creative process, the collective experience is vital since punking culture is practiced as a community.

Andy Michel, a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director of Congolese descent who was born in Belgium and raised in Montréal. His journey began in street dance at Urban-Element Zone, inspired by his mentors. His career, marked by an exploration of diverse styles such as Latin and Afro dance, has led him to perform internationally in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Andy has contributed to major projects, including Danser pour gagner, Révolution, and the 2023 Jeux de la francophonie with the Canadian delegation. For over 10 years, he organized Articien, an annual event showcasing diverse Canadian talent and, in 2019, he founded his own studio, DTJIC. His career stands out with over 16 years of teaching and a notable influence on Montréal’s dance scene.

Wylcharles Pierre is a talented dancer specializing in commercial and street dance, active in Canada and internationally. He has performed in prestigious events like Danser pour gagner and the San Francisco Hip Hop Festival. Representing Canada at the 2023 Jeux de la francophonie, he has also excelled in battles across Europe, Africa, and Canada. His collaboration with Andy Michel on the piece Alone reflects his artistic commitment and search for creative diversity. Discipline and passion have shaped his career as a versatile professional dancer.

Marie-Neïka Obas is a versatile artist of Haitian descent born and raised in Montréal. A dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher, she embodies passion and dedication to the performing arts. Her mastery of various dance styles enriches her skills and artistic perspectives. She has had the privilege to perform alongside both local and international artists. Her travels and appearances on local television have allowed her to reach a broader audience and expand her visibility. Ambitious and determined, she shares her art with passion and inspires those around her.

​Tiffanie Boffa is a lighting designer, scenographer, and performer. She works to create sensorial and visual atmospheres, informed by her background as a contemporary dancer. As a lighting designer, she collaborated with multiple artist in theatre, dance and the performing arts, like Gabrielle Lessard, Guillermina Kerwin, Jon Lachlan Stewart, Hanna Sybille Müller, Simon Renaud, La Tresse, Véronique Giasson, Marie Béland, 100Lux, the company We All Fall Down, and Sébastien Provencher.

For Running Empty, we explore a vision of dance that blends choreography, freestyle, and emotional improvisation. This creative process pushes us to redefine movement and capture body language as a mirror of deep emotions. Our approach is an introspective search where the performer relives intense memories – both beautiful and painful – revealing a symbolic “rebirth.”

We aim for a genuine connection through each gesture, space, and interaction with others. Incorporating theatre training allows us to deepen our understanding of roles and enhance the dancer’s emotional authenticity. This preparation creates a raw and sincere work, a reflection of the human soul facing its own vulnerability.

Do Phan Hoi is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist from Montréal with a keen interest in dance, photography, and dance film. In 2014, he joined the Los Angeles-based collective Funny Bones Crew. In 2022, he founded Playground Studio, a production company that supports artists and cultural organizations. Today, he is actively engaged in his community, particularly through non-profit organizations and the development of socio-cultural programs. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with key artistic figures in the Montréal scene, such as Agora de la danse, Tangente, Danse Danse, Ebnflōh, 100Lux, We All Fall Down, Margie Gillis, JOAT Festival, and many others.

Helen Simard is a choreographer, rehearsal director, dance dramaturg, and co-artistic director of We All Fall Down. Originally from Kingston, Ontario, she has lived and worked in Tiohtiá:ke/Montréal for more than two decades. Her background in b-girling and contemporary dance informs her raw, highly physical movement language, yet it is her obsession with deconstructing time and space that makes her choreographic approach unique. Using repetition, complex patterns and techniques of sensory overload, Simard creates hypnotic, dreamlike performances that blur the boundaries between conscious and subconscious spaces.

Roger White is an autodidact composer, sound-based artist, and co-artistic director of We All Fall Down. He began his career as an active musician and DJ in Tiohtiá:ke/Montréal’s underground music scene. Today, White primarily composes music for dance, using audio synthesis, hypnotic sound loops and binaural recording techniques to create immersive sonic landscapes that invite spectators to sink into altered levels of consciousness.

Defined under the term “new wave tailoring”, École de pensée offers a new angle that deconstructs formal tailoring codes. The way of wearing and interpreting the pieces is inspired by a very personal way of consuming art and culture. The founders’ deep interest in alternative cultural movements, spontaneous art forms and photography is the central element around which the brand’s universe evolves. Drawing inspiration from local cultural roots, the Canadian and Québecois art movements of the 40s and beyond, École de pensée’s designs radiate an avant-garde spirit that challenges norms and celebrates the beauty of spontaneity.

​Tiffanie Boffa is a lighting designer, scenographer, and performer. She works to create sensorial and visual atmospheres, informed by her background as a contemporary dancer. As a lighting designer, she collaborated with multiple artist in theatre, dance and the performing arts, like Gabrielle Lessard, Guillermina Kerwin, Jon Lachlan Stewart, Hanna Sybille Müller, Simon Renaud, La Tresse, Véronique Giasson, Marie Béland, 100Lux, the company We All Fall Down, and Sébastien Provencher.

The process behind Rocking Boat began with a personal need to explore my family heritage and understand my identity as a second-generation immigrant. My parents, who fled Vietnam in 1975, rarely spoke about their past. When my father was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease, it triggered a desire to seek answers, and a fear of never fully grasping their story and where I come from. I began researching their past while also nurturing a stronger bond with my family. This piece emerged from a deep desire to share these discoveries on stage.

Jayson Collantes is a professional b-boy who currently resides in Toronto. His credits include WDSF World Breaking Challenge (Japan 2023, South Korea 2022), You Be Ill – The Vaccine (2020), Battle of the Year (2019), The Legits Blast (Prague 2018), and several other competitions worldwide. This year, Jayson was selected to join Breaking Canada’s national team. Aside from breaking, Jayson has also immersed himself in different art mediums such as the culinary arts, fashion/clothing design, and other dance styles. He is part of Breadcrumbs Crew (Ottawa) and The Unknown Floor Force (Toronto). As a member of Bboyizm, Jayson has discovered mentors who have helped him grow as a dancer. He hopes to pass on the valuable experience and knowledge that is helping expand his creativity and skills as an artist to future generations.

Bryce Taylor (they/he) is a breaker and dancer/choreographer originally from Colebrook, in Ontario, currently based in Tkaronto (Toronto). Bryce begins their career as a professional dancer with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 2019, later becoming a company dancer for Ballet Edmonton in 2021. In 2019, Bryce, along with their colleague and friend, co-founds Winnipeg’s Summer Dance Collective, where they serve as choreographer in residence from 2019 to 2023. Bryce’s choreographic works have also been presented by festivals such as Dance Made in Canada 2023 in Toronto, and Aeris Körper’s Here&Now 2024 festival in Hamilton. Now primarily a breaker, Bryce represents two of Canada’s most prominent crews: The Unknown Floor Force, based out of Toronto, and Ayo Bruv, based out of Calgary. The majority of their creative work now centres around the stimulation of breaking in Canada.

Mark Collantes is a multi-disciplinary artist in graphic design and breaking. With his two passions, visual art and dance, Mark has created a symbiotic environment for his creativity to flourish. His style in breaking is centred around dynamic movements, transitions, and power moves, with a focus on creating a unique approach that is distinctively his own. Mark is a member of The Unknown Floor Force crew, and is also affiliated with Breadcrumbs Crew (Ottawa) and Jamillz (Japan). Mark’s ultimate goal is to leave a lasting legacy in breaking, inspiring future generations of breakers and artists alike.

Keimar Russell-Farquharson’s journey into the art of breaking first started when he was 11 years old and has continued growing stronger for the past 17 years. These days, Keimar represents 3 different crews, two based in Canada, by the names of Saiko Skematics and The Unknown Floor Force, and Jamillz. Keimar has travelled the globe to compete. Destinations include Singapore, Paris, London, Los Angeles, and Prague. Breaking continues to be Keimar’s passion 17 years into his practice. As a dancer, Keimar continues to innovate and hone his personal style, making him one of Canada’s premier breakers.

Born in Nigeria, Kosi Eze began her creative journey as a young woman by drawing connections between her ancestral roots and hip hop culture through which the Enugu native discovered her passion for the arts. Educated at the University of Toronto, Kosi has travelled to share her approach in various dance spaces such as the Meridian Arts Centre, the Chautauqua Auditorium, the O2 Forum, the Nia Centre for the Arts, SKETCH Working Arts, and Sony Center, among others. Kosi’s current focus centres on increasing music and movement literacy. She is a part of the Ebnflōh dance company, and the Symbiotic Monsters and SourPatch crews/movement collectives.

​Tiffanie Boffa is a lighting designer, scenographer, and performer. She works to create sensorial and visual atmospheres, informed by her background as a contemporary dancer. As a lighting designer, she collaborated with multiple artist in theatre, dance and the performing arts, like Gabrielle Lessard, Guillermina Kerwin, Jon Lachlan Stewart, Hanna Sybille Müller, Simon Renaud, La Tresse, Véronique Giasson, Marie Béland, 100Lux, the company We All Fall Down, and Sébastien Provencher.

Our team has yet to return for the creation of this second iteration of the show Binary-codes. As performers, we were tasked with mining our relationship to diametric/binary-centric thinking, honestly questioning the ways it has framed our experiences as people. Our first explorations of this as a group centered around “othering”, the practice of categorizing in groups and outgroups, and how this can intentionally/unintentionally create prolonged conflict. As we return to restage this work, our team will be exploring other subject matter related to binary-centric thought and creating new choreographic images to perform. Currently, we have a research period slotted for December and a creation period in March. These two periods will be used by our team to establish the version of Binary-Codes that will be performed for audiences in Montréal this April.