For 30 years, Suddenly Dance Theatre has made marks on the world map through a multi-media distribution of dance as a means to achieve our Mandate with innovation. Through LIVE performances and touring, television broadcasts, film festivals, outdoor installations and the internet we have strived:

Suddenly Dance Theatre is grateful to live, create, and share on the traditional and unceded territories of the Lekwungen peoples, also known as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. We are an established part of the City of Victoria’s cultural community, as an Importer (presenter) and as an Exporter (creator) of original dance, theatre, and media productions. Our original works and touring activities have allowed us to be proud ambassadors of the City of Victoria - through national television (Opium; Aisling; Guthrie Swims the Lake); Film Festivals (from New York to New Delhi); international residencies (Ireland; South Korea); as well as works toured to Seoul, Kim Hae, Daegu & Busan (South Korea), Vancouver, Nanaimo, Hornby Island and Guelph.

Current and upcoming original works include: In a Nutshell, a play commissioned by the Belfry Theatre written by David Ferguson and starring Lynda Raino; plus two different episodic dance on film series featuring international collaborators Hoyeon Kim and Jungha Lim (South Korea): We Are Diamonds and Lucky Maybe.

Suddenly Dance Theatre's Fountain of Youth Program is intended to support dance artists under the age of 26 for building new and diverse choreographic voices. Led by mentor Kathy Lang, the program has supported newcomer to Canada, 21 year-old Brazilian dancer Vitor Freitas (2021) and Elvis Eze, Jaren Guerreiro, and Andrea Lemus (2022). Our Fountain of Youth Program has evolved over the years developing a focus on conflict resolution and social-emotional learning, through WITS IN MOTION (2017), our online ‘anti-bullying’ toolkit available around the world in English and French.

As a protean company, Suddenly Dance Theatre's original stage works, made-for-television films, and public installations have expressed themes of sexuality, addiction, motherhood, missing women - as well as more sublime themes of nature ecstasy and body language. Over time, our responsive and collaborative approach to dance has played a crucial role in sustaining a cycle of original works and for reaching our greatest multi-cultural audience locally and internationally.

Our company has a significant history of collaborating with South Korean artists, first developed through a deep creative connection between Artistic co-Director David Ferguson with dance partner Jung ah Chung spanning 15 years. Suddenly Dance Theatre has performed original works in South Korea on 4 previous tours at the World Dance Stars Festival (2008), Busan International Dance Festival (2008), the Next Wave Dance Festival (2008/09), the 17th Daegu International Festival of Dance (2015). In Canada, we established an international program called ‘From Korea with Love’ and have featured South Korea’s Hyoseung Ye, Hoyeon Kim, Jungha Lim, Jooha Kim, Gunwoo Jun, Choi Yeoungtak, and Namjin Kim, among others.

As the producer of the Romp! Festival of Dance (20 Festivals) our diverse programming (indoor/outdoor; ticketed/free; urban/park; LIVE/projected) educates and increases the public's understanding and appreciation of dance by showcasing the true multi-media nature and mobility of Dance. Our mix of emerging and established local, national, and international dance artists provides the community with a network of supportive activities, including: free & low-cost dance performances, classes/workshops, discussion groups, professional mentorship, and volunteer opportunities. Participants of ROMP! have included: Lindsay Renee Derry (San Francisco); Hyoseung Ye, Hoyeon Kim (Seoul); Dominique Porte, Lina Cruz (Montreal); Jennifer Mascall, Josh Beamish, Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg, Aeriosa, Chrystal Pite, Wen Wei Wang (Vancouver); DA Hoskins (Toronto); Helen Husak (Calgary), Constance Cooke, Jung ah Chung, Ballet Victoria (Victoria), and many others. *The Festival is on hiatus. 

In March 2016, Suddenly Dance Theatre established a new office at Dance Victoria Studios, putting our company in a hotspot of dance activity in Victoria. This has enhanced our connection to local and visiting dance artists, promoted greater visibility and access to nearby studios, and given space for volunteers and administration to work.

In July 2022, Suddenly Dance Theatre published 'Small City, Big Talent'. Written by Robin J. Miller, this major publication beautifully captures some of the founding stories and notable moments from our city’s dancing past. Featuring: Lynda Raino, Constantine Darling, Big Dance, Suddenly Dance Theatre, Crystal Pite, and Dance Victoria.

Suddenly Dance Theatre Society is based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and was founded in 1992 by David Ferguson, Lori Hamar, and Miles Lowry. We are a charitable non-profit society (BN #885685636RR0001) led by a Board of volunteer community members. Our work has been supported by: The Canada Council, Heritage Canada, The British Columbia Arts Council, Capital Regional District Arts Development, Bravo!FACT Foundation, The Hamber Foundation, The Victoria Foundation, and the City of Victoria.