Canadian Children's Dance Theatre repertoire consists of more than 80 dances created by Resident Choreographer Deborah Lundmark and by Resident and Visiting Guest Artists. The Company also remounts many dances originally premiered by others including Dancemakers, Lars Lubovitch Dance Company, Karen Kuzak and Rachel Browne. At their best, resulting programs both refresh audiences with a rainbow of choreographic possibility and glimpse an astonishing legacy-in-the-making by three generations of contemporary Canadian choreographers.
 

New dance ultimately succeeds to the extent that it touches and challenges CCDT's dancers whose artistic instinct invariably forecasts audience response. Among the most memorable… David Earle's communal epic Chichester Psalms (1988), an overwhelming expression of love's power to redeem, propelled by two choirs, timpani and organ; Carol Anderson's Garden (1989), a misted recollection of childhood paused at the Garden's gate, whose exquisite poised-on-the-brink solo danced by Patricia Quevedo during a star-studded Dancers for Life gala, crystallised that event's essence; Holly Small's Attack of the Small Ones (1989) whose quirky unpredictability set much of China (including a shipful of naval seamen) to uncontrollable giggling during CCDT's 1990 far-eastern tour; and Deborah Lundmark's Sweet Spirit (1999) which releases a quartet of young women to exuberantly test-fly the rather astounding gifts of youth, beauty and grace with which they discover themselves so resplendently endowed.

Each season, three to four dances are added to the repertoire and ten to twelve existing dances are remounted. These are divided between two programs, TEASING GRAVITY- dances for the young and fearless and WINTERSONG - dances for a sacred season. TEASING GRAVITY is CCDT's primary touring program from February to July and contains five or more popular dances which perform well for all audiences in all venues. During the Company's TEASING GRAVITY May showcase at Toronto's Winchester Street Theatre several new, experimental dances are added. The most successful of these enter the active repertoire.

WINTERSONG is constructed similarly but is more thematically and seasonally specific. It is produced in November and December and draws upon the world's rich winter solstice traditions- all echoing the motifs of light and life reborn from darkness- for its endless inspiration. WINTERSONG also is inspired by the season's great choral music, often employing children's choirs and musicians from the communities where it plays.

 For two decades the Canadian Children's Dance Theatre has premiered dance by young dancers though not only for young audiences. Its exploration of this uncharted field has provoked some extraordinary creations by some adventurous dance makers. The Company looks forward to many more seasons of developing its unique role in that most magical of human traditions, drawing people together to reflect on one another in darkened halls.
 

23 Years of Entertaining and Educating
 

Even though it’s the last day before March Break, I couldn’t leave on holiday without telling you how much we enjoyed the performance. Our entire primary division attended and the students and teachers were thrilled. We can hardly wait to dance back in class! We look forward to CCDT coming back soon!
Regent Midland teacher, Simcoe County Residency, March 2003

Selected 2001 Best Ten Dance Performances in Toronto, for SOULS at Premiere Dance Theatre, December 6-8, 2001
Paula Citron, Globe and Mail

Selected 2001 Top Ten Dance Performances in Toronto, for SOULS at Premiere Dance Theatre, December 6-8, 2001
Glenn Sumi, NOW Magazine

… the level of professionalism projected by the young performers is formidable.
Michael Crabb, National Post

…  a National Treasure!
Rick Groen, The Globe and Mail

…  the dance seemed effortless yet had a toughness and electric sizzle that made you hold your breath…the technical and professional quality of your performances led us to a new plateau!
Moira McIntyre, Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts

We were thrilled and captivated by your expressive and talented young dancers. Certainly the dancers in our audience were inspired by seeing what other young people are capable of… Bravo!
Pied Piper Playhouse

… a visual delight!
Deidre Kelly, The Globe and Mail

Hello my name is Elizabeth Gulliver. I am in Grade 3. I live in Belleville. I went to your dance show it was wonderful!! My favorite dance was Musical Chairs. I enjoy dancing a lot! I wish I could become a dancer like I saw today.
Elizabeth Gulliver, Belleville

CCDT is stunning
… beautifully trained but still children
Sue Stinson, Chair, dance and the Child international

CCDT’s unique combination of international touring experience, years of educational programming and a repertoire of top notch and age appropriate Canadian contemporary choreography meant that they were received with tremendous enthusiasm and respect throughout the region.
Lisa Doolittle, Now Showing Live Arts Series, University of Lethbridge