Gerry Trentham
With Fujiwara Dance: Eunoia, Longing, Valley of Shadows, and Waiting for Bardo(t)
Gerry Trentham(he/they) Founder and Artistic Director of lbs/sq” Performance (celebrating 30 years) has created over 50 original works for stage and screen, garnered international acclaim and film awards, and numerous Toronto Dora awards/nominations. Blending dance, theatre, visual art, and media works celebrate the wonders of the moving-voicing body. Trentham gained early recognition across North America and Europe with Serge Bennathan’s Dancemakers where they won praise from The New York Times critic Anna Kisselgoff (“remarkably lyrical”) and New York Post’s Clive Barnes (“powerfully acted by the outstanding Gerry Trentham”). They have originated roles in Dora awarded works by Claudia Moore and Denise Fujiwara (notably as cast and voice director in FDI’s hit EUNOIA) In film, Monument and FDI’s Valley of Shadows (directed by William Yong) received global acclaim, whilst their solo Ray (directed by Jesse Deganis‑Librera) won Best Experimental Short at Venice Shorts.
Trentham holds an MFA in Theatre and Voice Teaching Diploma from York University, and a BA in arts administration, philosophy, and aesthetics. They have directed, choreographed, taught, and mentored on four continents, including major Canadian universities (UofC, UofT, YorkU, UBC, NTS) and 35 years with Canada’s National Voice Intensive (Moving Voice Institute). Influenced by master teachers David Smukler and Judith Koltai, Trentham’s trans-disciplinary pedagogy has co-created hybrid practice (Butoh Voice with Denise Fujiwara and Legacy Voice with Diane Roberts).
In their own and recent works by Tedd Robinson and Zab Maboungou, Trentham recognizes Denise Fujiwara’s influence as essential to their fluidity as they dance into a fifth decade as a sought-after performer.