Paul-André Fortier
choreographer

Paul-André Fortier has made an immense contribution to contemporary dance in Québec as a pioneering creator, performer and teacher. He has created nearly 50 choreographies, solos, group pieces and site-specific works. A performer with a striking presence, this self-described “man who dances” challenges himself with spatial, time and technique constraints that push his own limits and those of his art. Inspired by the crossover of various artistic disciplines, he has collaborated with other leading artists, including Françoise Sullivan, Betty Goodwin, Rober Racine, Walter Boudreau, Alain Thibault, Robert Morin and Malcolm Goldstein.

Paul-André Fortier began his performance career in the 1970s as a member of Le Groupe Nouvelle Aire, dancing in some of the first works of his peers (Édouard Lock, Daniel Léveillé). In 2010, he was appointed Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government. In 2012, he received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award and the Order of Canada. In 2018, he was made an Officier de l’Ordre national du Québec. In 2019 was honoured by the City of Montréal and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec with Le Grand prix de la Danse de Montréal.

For Peggy Baker Dance Projects: Peggy acquired Paul-André’s solos Box: la femme au carton and Non Coupable; and she also commissioned a full length work from him, loin, très loin.

For more information watch the NFB profile of Paul-André Fortier created for the Governor General’s Awards.