CDF developed the New Collaborators Workshop, a series of three investigative working sessions designed for local dancemakers and dramaturgs who were interested in exploring new approaches to creating movement-based work.

The New Collaborators Workshop was born out of interest from choreographers and dramaturgs who attended the Dramaturgy in Dance series in Spring 2006, and who were looking for more opportunities to understand how the other makes work.

Local dancemakers Kairol Rosenthal and Ann Boyd, with dramaturgs Sarah Gubbins and Ben Calvert designed and facilitated the workshop sessions. The local artists selected to participate in the program included dancemakers Jonathan Meyer, Julia Antonick, Margaret Morris, Nadia Oussenko, Janet Schmid and Erica Mott; and dramaturgs Doug Stapleton, Maren Robsinson, Jen Shook, Laronika Thomas, and Jon Sherman.

Based on their applications and with careful consideration, artists were paired up by the workshop facilitators prior to the first session. Artists worked with the same partner for all three sessions, given a palette of source materials and task assignments from which to choose and draw inspiration for collaboration. Participating artists were given guidance and opportunities for inquiry, reflection and community discussion during each session. The workshop culminated in an informal presentation of material developed during the series.

The three sessions took place from 3:00 - 6:00 pm on January 13, 20 and 27, 2007 at Links Hall.