Tara Butler

The Survival of Knowing
This work explores personal memories and experiences that have shaped and formed my life and who I have become. Choreographed by Allen Kaeja, through a collaborative process, the solo revolves around the idea of looking back, forgiveness and new hope on the horizon. The work reflects the many influences and relationships that make us who we are. It is a conversation with self, examining the limitations we place on ourselves through societal and taught belief systems and how taking a leap of faith into the unknown can disintegrate previous perceptions and allow the individual true freedom and space to grow. This work is a personal departure from my ballet background and relies deeply on instincts and risk taking in a new form of movement vocabulary. This expansion has given me new life and creative expression as a mature dancer. This solo was funded by The Region of Waterloo Arts Fund.

Tara Butler began her dance career with The National Ballet of Canada after graduating from the National Ballet School. She was a celebrated Principal dancer for Canada’s Ballet Jörgen for 16 years. Bengt Jörgen created many lead roles in full-length ballets for Tara including Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Anastasia, Coppelia, and The Nutcracker. She has worked with many of Canada’s most sought-after choreographers and worked on creative dance projects with Proartedanza, DNA Theatre, and Allison Cummings. Tara was featured in Michael Greyeyes short dance film ‘Seven Seconds’, as well as the award winning dance film ‘Old Country’ by Allen Kaeja. Since moving to Kitchener and having her second child, Tara has been teaching and coaching young dancers, choreographing, and performing as a freelance artist. Tara has been deep in creation over the course of the pandemic working on a full evening of dance, funded by The Region of Waterloo Arts Fund, featuring original work by David Earle, Allen Kaeja, and Nickeshia Garrick which will be presented at The Registry Theatre when we return to live performance. In partnership with Pat The Dog Theatre Creations Tara has launched a movement creation series aimed towards developing new ways of creation for all artists as well as demystifying dance and its creative process. Tara has recently been appointed Artistic Associate with Pat The Dog Theatre.