The Dance Centre’s long-running 12 Minutes Max program features three contrasting works in progress by Akshaya Surve, Dania Grant, and Natalia Martineau. The artists will share and discuss their works with the audience in an informal studio showing.

Kathak dance artist Akshaya Surve’s Draupadi tells the story of the leading female character in the Mahabharata. Surve seeks to push the boundaries of classical dance technique and develop storytelling through dance, tracing themes of dignity and courage in the face of adversity.

Dania Grant trained with Lamondance and is a current member of the Lamondance Company. Her solo is inspired by the many qualities of water and human connection and interactions, examining emotions such as frustration and nostalgia.

Natalia Martineau is a queer emerging dance artist of Filipino-Canadian descent who holds a BFA in Contemporary Dance from Simon Fraser University. Her solo explores the transformation of the self into a Kafkaesque creature, transcending physical reality into a blistering and volatile creature that embodies anger and decay.

First launched in Vancouver by The Dance Centre in 1994, 12 Minutes Max fosters experimentation and the creation of new dance works. Each season has three modules, with up to nine artists carrying out studio research with the support of facilitators. At the end of each module, the artists show and discuss their work with an audience in an informal studio showing.

12 Minutes Max is one of The Dance Centre’s programs, which provides essential support to dance artists working in a diverse range of genres every season by assisting in the creation, development, and dissemination of works, alongside residencies, labs, exchanges, and other projects.