Mission / History

dance: made in canada / fait au canada (d:mic/fac) is Canada’s biennial repertory festival dedicated to championing contemporary dance created in Canada. By bringing together choreographers from across the country, d/fac celebrates the breadth of Canadian artistic voices while creating opportunities for artists, audiences, and communities to engage with the remarkable diversity of contemporary dance practice.

Our History

Founded in 2001, dance: made in canada / fait au canada Festival grew out of a series of repertory presentations produced by Yvonne Ng through princess productions. Encouraged by lighting designer David Morrison (1960–2007) to expand the concept into a dedicated festival, d:mic was created to provide a national platform for Canada’s independent dance artists. The Festival began at the former Dancemakers’ Studio before moving to Winchester Street Theatre and, in 2009, established the Betty Oliphant Theatre as its primary home.

In 2011, d:mic/fac evolved into its current repertory format, presenting multiple programmes that bring together new creations and significant existing works by choreographers at every stage of their careers. Since then, the Festival has been co-directed by Yvonne Ng, Janelle Rainville, and Jeff Morris, whose collaborative leadership has guided its continued growth and evolution.

The Festival has continued to evolve in response to artists and audiences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, d:mic partnered with Canadian Stage to present live outdoor performances at the High Park Amphitheatre, ensuring Canadian dance remained visible and accessible during an unprecedented time. Today, the Festival extends beyond its biennial presentations through dance on film screenings, the thrust podcast, workshops, artist conversations, and collaborative partnerships that support Canadian dance throughout the year.

Today, d:mic/fac has grown into a nationally recognized platform for contemporary dance, presenting artists from across the country while fostering dialogue, collaboration, and exchange. While the biennial Festival remains at its heart, year-round programming – including dance on film screenings, the thrust podcast, workshops, conversations, and artistic partnerships – extends its commitment to celebrating Canadian choreographers and connecting artists with audiences across the country.

At a Glance

• Founded in 2001
• Canada’s biennial repertory festival of contemporary dance
• 30 Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations
• 7 Dora Awards
• 130+ choreographers presented
• 464 artists presented
• Named Best Dance Series by NOW Magazine
• Described by The Globe and Mail as “an important element in Toronto’s dance scene.”