CHAMPIONESS

Dance Performance by SaMel Tanz

CHAMPIONESS is an electrifying performance that combines boxing with western contemporary, street, and latin dance to explore notions of identity and mental health. SaMel Tanz reflects on the power of solidarity amongst women as they face fears, the constant grind, and navigate life-changing experiences, challenging society’s perceptions of winners and losers.

Engage in a Q&A session with the artists after the performance on Friday, August 22nd. 

Show Length: 1 Hour 

Choreography by SaMel Tanz in collaboration with dancers

Performers: Lilly Giroux, Mel Hart, Lauren Lyn, Danah Rosales, Sam Schleese, Renee Smith

About SaMel Tanz

SaMel Tanz is a trailblazing Toronto-based dance collective founded in 2015 by Sam Schleese and Mel Hart. Fusing Western Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Latin styles, they create emotionally charged, socially conscious work that explores themes like identity, empowerment, and mental health. Notable productions include CHAMPIONESS (DanceWorks 2023), Make Them Letters Dance (SummerWorks 2022), and that “F” word  (Next Stage Fringe 2018). Offstage, SaMel Tanz drives community impact through youth mentorship, workshops, and adjudication—empowering the next generation of artists through the transformative power of dance.

www.sameltanz.com

@sameltanz 

This performance is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.