Press Release
For immediate release
A New Governance Model for DLD
Montreal, March 26, 2024 | | DLD is thrilled to announce a pivotal moment in its journey by warmly welcoming Rachel Morse as the new Co-General Manager and Administrative Director. She succeeds Marie-Andrée Gougeon, the outgoing General Director. Frédérick Gravel, who has been DLD’s Artistic Director since 2018, will share the Co-General Management responsibilities with Rachel.
“Marie-Andrée Gougeon’s commitment is unparalleled! We are infinitely grateful for everything she has achieved as General Director, and we are confident she will continue to be an inspiring figure in her new role.”
– Astride Dieujuste, Chair of the Board of Directors
A Gradual Transition, Ensuring Continuity
After steering DLD for over 20 years, contributing to its development and recognition on both the Montreal and international stages, Marie-Andrée Gougeon will remain part of the team. She continues her commitment to DLD as Head of Market Development. Her unwavering dedication to artists and her extensive knowledge of international, national, and local distribution networks, along with her expertise in show production, are invaluable assets for promoting the projects produced under our company.
“Confident in its new team, the company is committed to continuing its mission and leveraging the momentum provided by Marie-Andrée’s dedication during her tenure as DLD’s director.”
– Frédérick Gravel, Co-General Director and Artistic Director
A Complete and Dynamic Leadership Model
Since the handover of the Artistic Direction in 2018, the team has meticulously crafted a leadership model that aligns with DLD’s organizational characteristics. A co-direction that combines artistic and administrative expertise ensures decision-making coherence for the company while strengthening the positions of both directors.
The chosen structure promotes synergy between two individuals with complementary interests and experiences, allowing us to dedicate ourselves to our primary mission of advancing the voices of our artists.
“I am excited to make a disciplinary leap into the dance world after many years immersed in emerging and experimental practices in theater. This new adventure will be a delightful challenge to undertake!”
– Rachel Morse, Co-General Director and Administrative Director
About Marie-Andrée Gougeon
Marie-Andrée Gougeon has been active in the dance community since the early 1980s, following her training at the Pointépiénu dance school and the major dance institutions of that era. Performing on stage until 1994, she then redirected her career to serve as an artistic assistant, dramaturge, and rehearsal director, notably in Berlin alongside German choreographer Sasha Waltz. Upon returning to Montreal, she became the artistic assistant at the Jean-Pierre Perreault Foundation. Concurrently, she maintained a professional relationship with choreographer Daniel Léveillé, who invited her to play an active role in Daniel Léveillé nouvelle danse. There, she began her foray into artistic project management and, together with Daniel Léveillé, envisioned a support model that promotes the national and international presence of works by visionary creators. Marie-Andrée Gougeon holds a master’s degree in kinesiology.
About Frédérick Gravel
Frédérick Gravel graduated from the Dance Department of the Université du Québec à Montréal, where, in 2009, he submitted his master’s thesis on “the role of the dance artist in democratic society.” A choreographer, dancer, musician, and lighting designer, he disrupts the structures of choreographic art by integrating various elements related to rock and performance. An associate creator with DLD since 2010, he was appointed artistic director in 2018. His productions have been acclaimed by critics locally and internationally.
Embracing a true cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approach, Frédérick Gravel’s productions are created in close collaboration with members of the Grouped’ArtGravelArtGroup (GAG), a fluid collective of dancers and musicians. Increasingly active as an educator, Gravel regularly conducts creative workshops and teaches at the theater department of CÉGEP de Saint-Hyacinthe, Université du Québec à Montréal, and the Montreal School of Contemporary Dance.
About Rachel Morse
Rachel Morse is a committed and versatile cultural worker with over ten years of experience in the Montreal live arts scene. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Studies and a Master’s degree in Cultural Enterprises Management from HEC Montréal, where she focused on collaborative practices and resource pooling in live arts organizations supporting emerging talent. She aligns her artistic interests with the latest management tools on a daily basis. A natural leader, her qualities of strategic management, exceptional vision, collaborative inclination, and attentiveness make her an outstanding ally. Throughout her career, she has worked for numerous established companies such as the Quebec Theatre Council, Théâtre Aux Écuries, UBU compagnie de théâtre, LA SERRE – arts vivants, Espace GO, and CEAD, while also maintaining a practice as an author and dramaturgical advisor. She possesses all the tools to support, understand, and uphold artistic expression with accuracy and dedication.
About DLD
As a creation and production company, DLD invests in dance and performing arts creators who are deeply committed to artistic research. Guided by its artistic director, the organization offers personalized and strategic support to help creators make their voices heard both at home and abroad. In addition, DLD develops structuring projects that contribute to the fabric of its community.
The company supports the work of Frédérick Gravel, its artistic director, in addition to promoting projects by Catherine Gaudet, Alix Dufresne, Ellen Furey, Stéphane Gladyszewski, Étienne Lepage, Manuel Roque and Daniel Léveillé.
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Contact :
Sarah Chelhot, Communication manager
com@dldanse.com
514 504-8715
