Mocean Dance is a non-profit society founded in 2001 by Carolle Crooks, Sara Harrigan, Alicia Orr MacDonald, Lisa Phinney, and Sarah Rozee. These five Halifax dancers and co-artistic directors trained and performed across North America before returning home to Halifax, Nova Scotia to create a contemporary dance company that would provide dancers, choreographers, artistic and production personnel, and audiences with an ongoing framework for the creation and exploration of modern dance.

Mocean Dance began artistic and operational planning in 2001, and was incorporated in March 2002. The co-founders worked as both dancers and administrators. Initially, the company created and performed in workshops, showcases and charitable events. By 2003/2004 the company was more established, with both provincial and federal project funding, and was able to commission work and produce its first mainstage production, Quintecentric, to sold-out audiences. Mocean began to tour to local schools. The company transferred more responsibility for governance to the Board of Directors and launched several fundraising campaigns.

In 2004/2005, Mocean made the transition to four full-time members (Carolle Crooks, Sarah Rozee, Sara Harrigan and Alicia Orr MacDonald) who divided their time between dancing, artistic direction, and company management. Lisa Phinney continued her artistic consulting role as one of the company founders, and as an associate.

In 2004/2005 the company:

• created and presented new work with choreographers Roger Sinha and Howard Richard
• was contracted to provide the dancer/collaborators for  Gwen Noah’s full length work, Vestige
• began work with Mary Ellen MacLean on Velocipede
• toured to 14 schools, taught workshops, and performed in other events
• received its first management development grant from the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program (CAHSP)

The 2005/2006 season was rich in performance and creation. The company:

• appeared in the East Coast Rhythms Festival in Toronto
• toured to schools and developed new educational materials, and residency and touring plans
• was presented in Halifax, Vancouver and Guelph by the CanDance network
• collaborated with physical theatre artist Mary Ellen MacLean on the creation and performance of Velocipede
• began creation of a new full-evening work with Dancemaker’s Artistic Director, Michael Trent
• launched its community development program with a week long residency in Shelburne, Nova Scotia
• worked with consultant Judy Harquail to develop skills and infrastructure for national touring and marketing
• networked at Contact East, the Canada Dance Assembly Conference, and the Canada Dance Festival
• received grants from all levels of government including: Canada Council funding for creation with Michael Trent, a second CAHSP grant for further organizational development, and an HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality) grant for the development of new educational materials
• launched a new fundraising gala event: Out of the Blue.  

Mocean’s 2006/2007 season marked a milestone in the company’s growth. Mocean:

• hired a full-time dance intern with assistance from the Cultural Human Resources Council
• hired a full-time administrative assistant
• received its first operating funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage
• completed creation with Michael Trent and premiered Mappa Mundi
• became eligible to access funding through the Canada Council Creation and Production program
• showcased at CAPACOA the Canadian Arts Presenting Association’s contact conference
• held its second fundraising gala, Gala Rouge
• began consultations with Nancy Bell in fundraising, and Kathy Casey, Artistic Director of Montreal Danse, in artistic leadership and development
• toured to schools and communities regionally to perform and do residency work
• began The Reaction Project with choreography by founders Sara Harrigan and Carolle Crooks, and New Brunswick choreographer, Lesandra Dodson, to be completed and showcased during a creation-based residency in Annapolis Royal
• was awarded a third CAHSP grant for the development of a new website.

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