[1] They draw upon dance, street theatre, mime, slapstick, spoken word and video in their mission to create diverse and accessible works for all audiences.
[4] Motus O's longevity and their large output perhaps explain both admiring and less enthusiastic critics alike describing them as "renowned",[5] "most successful"[6] and as having a "formidable reputation.
Cynthia, Jack and James all taught at the former Academy of Performing Arts School in Cambridge, Ontario[21][22] and whilst there toured internationally with a number of productions.
[22] Jack Langenhuizen, who grew up in Uxbridge, Ontario was a national figure skater who later studied and taught dance including modern and contact improvisation.
In 2014 Motus O collaborated with Marina Nemat, human rights activist and author of the bestselling memoir The Prisoner of Tehran in creating a production based on the book.
[37] The work has been described as “a moving, surprisingly funny and intensely invigorating piece of theatre that allows her [Nemat] to tell her story to audiences.”[38] Prisoner of Tehran was performed at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg in 2016 as part of a national tour.
The Royal Conservatory of Music commissioned Motus O to create and adapt Petrouchka for a special production for elementary school aged children in 2002.
[43][44][45] The Hannaford Street Silver Band commissioned Motus O to create Circus Terrifico in 2009[46] The premiere performance was conducted by David Briskin, National Ballet of Canada music director.
Peter Jarvis and Paul Tedeschini of Spinfinity were commissioned by Motus O dance theatre to create original music for A Midsummer Night's Dream.
[7] Vincent Cheng, assistant conductor at the Greater Toronto Philharmonic orchestra was commissioned to compose music for Momentum-Perspectives II.
Lara Bernstein (Wirick), Petra Blenkhorne, Trevor Copp, Nikolas Croker, Kate Cunningham, Laura Day, Lisa Emmons, Rob Faust, Sarah Felschow, Chelsea Ferrando, Stephen Filipowitcz, Andrew Hartley, Tracy Houser, Jen Johnson, Melissa Justice, Lisa King, Kate Knox, Jonathan Lawley, Diana Lopez-Soto, Katie Major Austin, Mariana Mangevil Alvarez, Blake Martin, Hiroshi Miyamoto, Jonathon Neville, Beth Newell, Keiko Ninomiya, Malgorzata Nowacka, Blaise Pascal, Natalie Radford, Deborah Radbourne, Emily Redford, Kreina Ryan, Lisa Sandlos, Jesse Scharo, Joel Seaman, Mark Segal, Lincoln Shand, Sarah Silverman, Tim Spronk, Dahliaa Steinberg, Laurel Thody, Tom Vogel, Daniella Warner (Zappala Motus O offers general workshops in dramatic dance, contact improvisation and dance technique, as well as corporate workshops, which use the creative process to develop leadership and team skills.
[4] Motus O has been working with teachers and students of all ages across North America for more than 25 years, performing shows, hosting theatre and drama workshops and training educators.