Julie-anne Saroyan
Julie-anne Saroyan
Creative Producer + Artistic Director
I love to share with and connect people to each other and community through the performing arts. I believe in “busting down the theatre walls” to bring dance out of traditional venues, both online and on the street.
In 2001, I co-founded Small Stage and kicked off the series Dances for a Small Stage in Vancouver. Since then, I have produced over 50 instalments of the series in Vancouver, including three installments in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre.
During the past few years I have been working on ways to blend live and digital platforms to create powerful and innovative mixed reality performances in the public realm. And during the pandemic launched a successful series of outdoor live events that activated communities like Robson Street, Yaletown and more throughout Vancouver. The Love Bubble Project alone in March, June, July and August 2021 resulted in over 75 shows, with 85+ artists, reaching over 68,000+ live and 1.2 million digital audience members.
My work has fostered and engaged emerging and established dancers, musicians, technologists and practitioners. Together with our community and business partners we have collaborated and brought creative life and attention to neighbourhoods in ways that surprise, delight and connect us all through the power of the performing arts.
I invite you to connect with me: ja@smallstage.ca
“Small Stage is a Vancouver-based dance production company that specializes in site-specific experiences
that colour well outside the confines of what might be considered traditional dance.”
~ Story by Mark Shelling for West Coast Curated ~
“You don't have to follow the rules. I'm a rule breaker. I don't want to draw people in to what I'm doing, I want to go out and find them. It's my rebellious side.” -
Julie-anne Saroyan, small stage creative producer
“I never look back darling, it distracts from the now…” Edna Mode, THE INCREDIBLES
“The role of art is to make a world which can be inhabited.” William Saroyan