Bill Coleman Biography
Born in Berwick, Nova Scotia in 1961, Bill Coleman studied dance at the Doreen Bird School of Theatre Dance in London, England. His professional career started in 1979 with Sir Anton Dolin of the Dublin City Ballet. Since then, he has created over 50 works and performed with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane & Co., Tere O’Connor Dance, Wiesbaden Ballet, Toronto Dance Theatre, The Martha Graham Dance Company, William Douglas Danse, Laurence Lemieux, Jean-Pierre Perreault and others.
In New York in 1988, Mr. Coleman received the Jerome Foundation’s First Light Award for Baryshnikov: The Other Story. His works include: Zorro (nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award); Shane; The Iowa Sheep Buggery Trials; Glory Days; Monsters Midway ("a sideshow to inspire laughter and tears ... a drug-induced dream choreographed by Fellini," according to the Toronto Star) and Heartland, a solo which inspired the filmmaker Laura Taler to create a documentary on Coleman’s work and life. Heartland, the film, was awarded Best Dance Film at the Toronto Moving Pictures Festival of Dance on Film, and Best Experimental Film at Toronto’s HOT DOCS. It airs regularly on BRAVO.
Mr. Coleman has also been commissioned to create dances for Toronto Dance Theatre, Dancemakers and Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre. He regularly collaborates with diverse groups and communities in the creation of one-of-a-kind theatrical events. These have included work with the Ojibway community of Heron Bay, the International Trade Club of Toronto, Pedahbun Lodge Residential Addiction Treatment Centre, and various schools. In 1996, Coleman created Welcome Back, Buffalo Bill, a three-act wild west show with Vietnam veteran and pow wow dancer Boye Ladd. His latest work, Convoy PQ. 17 premiered in St-Petersburg, Russia August 31, 2001 and is the subject of the Russian documentary film Letter for a friend.
Bill Coleman’s work has been presented in Scotland, Italy, Singapore, Russia, throughout the United States and Canada. He is the co-founder of Bill Coleman & His North American Experience with composer John Oswald, Heartland Events with Michael Caplan, and Coleman/Lemieux & Compagnie with his wife Laurence Lemieux.
In 2002 Bill received the Canada Council Jaqueline-Lemieux Prize. Mr. Coleman was selected on the basis of his considerable contribution to Canadian dance. The selection committee said:
"Bill Coleman’s presence is pan-Canadian and international. His work as a creator stems from a deep place within himself. He is a visionary, a humanitarian, whose work shows uncompromising originality and immense vision. The breadth, scope and impact of his work in dance have made a vital contribution to the Canadian dance scene."