Corporeal Imago | Company Ci | Gabrielle Martin

contemporary tragedy at the crossroads of circus, dance and visual theatre

About Us

We create contemporary tragedy at the crossroads of circus, dance, and visual theatre. Our performances confront the myth of individual destiny, revealing instead a vast ecology where humans are fragile, complicit, and entangled with more-than-human forces.

Choreographers Gabrielle Martin and Jeremiah Hughes co-founded Corporeal Imago in 2018. Brought together by their shared background in dance and theatre, they started collaborating while performing as principal characters with Cirque du Soleil’s TORUK - The First Flight. For two artists used to performing circus as entertainment, CI has become a carte blanche to explore the tensions between agency and fate through the apotheosis of circus and the catharsis of dance.

CI's works Limb(e)s, Imago and Throe have been presented at Montréal Complètement Cirque and La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines (2019), Assembly Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe (UK, 2019 & 2025), Dancing on the Edge Festival (Vancouver, 2021), The Dance Centre (Vancouver, 2022 & 2024), Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (Burnaby, 2023), Bass Coast (Merritt, 2024), San Francisco Aerial Arts Festival (2024), dance Immersion (Toronto, 2024), Chilliwack Cultural Centre (2024), and Arts Revelstoke (2024). CI was a 2021-22 and 2024-25 Artist in Residence of The Dance Centre and won the Intercultural Connections Best Production award at Edinburgh Fringe (UK, 2025) and The Dance Centre's Isadora Award for excellence in choreography (2022). CI’s latest work, Drift, will premiere at The Dance Centre May 2026.

In addition to performances, CI is committed to artist training and discipline development through subsidized aerial and acrobatic dance classes and workshops. See our Training page for more info.

Gabrielle Martin Executive and Co-Artistic Director

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Gabrielle Martin is an aerial and contemporary dance artist, choreographer and artistic producer who has performed over 1,400 shows internationally. Raised on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations (Vancouver, Canada), she studied somatic movement and contact improvisation and performed fire manipulation and stilt walking before obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Contemporary Dance from Concordia University (Montreal, 2009). While in Montreal, Gabrielle studied aerial arts such as aerial silks and rope. In 2010, she received a Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Quebec Research and Creation in Dance support for her choreography, Infractions, a Sadler's Wells Global Dance Contest finalist, and from 2009-2011, she toured this and other works to: Vancouver International Dance Festival (CA, 2009), Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival (Canada, 2010 & 2011), ROMP! A Festival of Independent Dance (Victoria, CA, 2011) and WAVE RISING SERIES (NY, US 2011).

From 2011-2015, Gabrielle toured full-time with Cavalia, performing aerial rope, bungee trapeze, bungee dance and harness dance numbers. In 2015, she began working with Cirque du Soleil as part of the creation of TORUK - The First Flight. She toured with this show until it closed in 2019, during which time she was the principal female character, Tsyal, and performed a solo aerial silks number. In 2018, Gabrielle co-founded Corporeal Imago and has co-created its shows since

Gabrielle's Website >>

Jeremiah Hughes Co-Artistic and Technical Director

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Jeremiah Hughes began his training in competitive dance at the prestigious Canadian Dance Company (Toronto). After a decade of competing internationally and representing Canada on the world stage, he enrolled in the interdisciplinary Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto where he expanded his craft with acting, singing, and stage combat. After touring with dance conventions, eventually being a featured soloist on So You Think You Can Dance and So You Think You Can Dance Canada, he went on to acquire a rare internship at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Jeremiah has had the honor of performing with artists such as Bruno Mars, Meatloaf, and Taylor Swift. During his career, he also had the honor of performing in many large-scale shows, such as PEEPSHOW, JUBILEE!, Britain’s Got Talent, Franco Dragone’s LE REVE, as well as Cirque du Soleil’s Viva ELVIS. From 2015-2019, he toured as the lead male role of Ralu in Cirque Du Soleil’s TORUK - The First Flight, where he served as the show’s original Dance Captain. When not on stage Jeremiah has found great success in choreographing and directing for such major events as Broadway Bares and the CISCO Partners Global Gala. Recently, he co-founded Corporeal Imago and works as a co-choreographer, performer and designer in the company’s work. He is a highly dynamic mover with a diverse profile, who places great importance on storytelling in his craft.

Jeremiah's Website >>

Corporeal Imago is committed to engaging a majority of global majority artists and arts professionals. Our work is made possible by the contribution of all our collaborating artists, as well as the generous volunteer hours of our Board of Directors:

Marcus Youssef, Davi Rodrigues, Vanessa Goodman and Mark Douglas.

Our Collaborating Artists

Alex Tam

On the unceded traditional Coast Salish territory Alex Tam is a Vancouver-based dance artist. Tam started as an actor for commercial, film and theatre. At the age of fifteen, he discovered that dance could challenge him with immense possibilities for athletic expression. Tam received his dance education at Arts Umbrella, graduated from Modus Operandi and studied Fine Arts at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (Dean’s Honour Roll). Julia Taffe first introduced Alex to aerial dance with Aeriosa in the grand fir trees in Stanley Park. Over the past decade, he has performed works by: Aeriosa, Wen Wei Dance, Hong Kong Exile, Shay Kuebler Radical System Art, Crystal Pite, Company 605, Out Innerspace Dance Theatre, Mascall Dance, Deanna Peters, Science Friction, Joe Laughlin, Kinesis Dance, Serge Bennathan, Karissa Barry. He has toured and performed both independently and collectively at international dance festivals in Canada, United States of America, South America and Taiwan.

Marissa Wong

MARISSA WONG is a Chinese-Canadian dance artist who has the privilege to create, play and share on the unceded territories of the Skwxwú7mesh, Səlílwətaɬ, and xwməθkwəyəm Nations, also named Vancouver, BC. She is the Artistic Director for The Falling Company and her engagement in the Vancouver dance community demonstrates her capability to educate, produce, perform, and host works. Marissa strives to change the systemic structure in dance through facilitating inclusive and sustainable arts spaces. She is invested in continuous learning and her work reflects her observations of the human experience. For more information visit: www.thefallingcompany.com

Brenna Metzmeier

Brenna Metzmeier is a 28 year old multidisciplinary artist living in Vancouver BC. She is originally from Terrace BC, but completed her formal training at the Victoria Academy of Ballet, receiving a diploma in 2016. She has had the opportunity to work with Sawdust Collective, Pi Theatre, The Banff Dance Company, Inverso Productions, Vision Impure, Opera Box, State of Underdress, Little Chamber Music, Corporeal Imago, Wen Wei Dance, Edmonton Opera, Action at a Distance, Belle Spirale and is a founding member of the dance company CAMP. In CAMP she has co-created and produced several full length dance shows and been selected for multiple choreographic commissions. She has also been developing her own interdisciplinary solo work, and has performed the first iterations of her solo, I'I, at the Irish Aerial Creation Centre, The Dance Centre, through their 12 Minute Max programming, and at The Dance Deck.

Juan Duarte

Juan Duarte is a Brazilian Contemporary Ballet trained dancer based in Canada. After graduating from Bolshoi Ballet School and moving to Vancouver, they/he have trained with Lamondance Company and Arts Umbrella Dance Company from 2015 to 2019.

After that Juan has worked with Ballet BC, and started to work as a freelancer where they/he have had the opportunity to work with Move The Company, Traverse City Dance Project, Corporeal Imago and Belle Spirale Dance Projects.

Juan continues to share their/his beauty and artistry with the world, and has been a powerful member of the queer scene in Vancouver. As an ambitious and dedicated performer Juan is looking forward to what the future has to offer, and is very excited to continue to explore the meaning of diversity in the dance industry.

Photo Rebecca Benoit

Brianne Chan

Brianne 羨宜 Chan (she/her), is a freelance dance artist, teacher, and choreographer based in so called “Vancouver”. Since completing her training at Modus Operandi (2022), she has had the pleasure of working professionally and collaborating with many dancers in the vibrant dance community. Recent work and touring include projects with Anya Saugstad, Calder White, and Corporeal Imago. Teaching credits include Modus Operandi, Training Society of Vancouver, and Harbour Dance Centre. With an open mind and a willingness to explore, she takes risks, embraces experimentation, and welcomes the unknown.

Domenic Taylor

Internationally recognized circus artist Domenic Taylor has travelled extensively on two world tours with Cirque du Soleil. His debut with the company started in 2015 with “TORUK - The First Flight”, a show inspired by James Cameron’s AVATAR, followed by “OVO”, one of Cirque du Soleil’s most well known productions. During his 9 years with the company, Taylor has worked throughout North America, Asia, Oceania, and Europe. He has also been involved in various creation projects with Backpocket, a Brussels based contemporary circus company and Corporeal Imago.

Darian Mark

Darian Mark is an international performer and artist based out of Vancouver, Canada. Originally from Toronto, Darian has trained extensively in a variety of styles, including many circus arts. He is a proud Stage Associate Member with CDTA and has completed all of the Acrobatic Arts modules. In addition, Darian holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), is a Reiki Level II Practitioner, and a 200HR RYT. With vast experience performing on stages, TV and film, Darian is excited to continue sharing on projects that allow him to showcase his full mind, body and spirit. He is humbled and grateful to be joining this production of THROE.

Select credits include: GCC Opening Ceremony 2022 (Cirque Eloize), Monster High 1&2 (Nickelodeon), Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC), Zombies 2 (Disney), Julie and The Phantoms (Netflix), PEARL (North American and China Tour), Starwater (Royal Caribbean), The Next Step (Temple Street Prod).

Isak Enquist

Isak Enquist is a dance artist and experimental musician/sound designer, currently living on occupied traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh, Skwxwú7mesh, and xʷməθkwəy̓əm nations. Raised in the Kootenays/Ktunaxa of Canada, Isak began formal training in Shotokan Karate-Do before pursuing post-secondary dance education at Simon Fraser University and Modus Operandi (Vancouver), as well as summer intensives with The Ailey School (Italy and New York) and Springboard Danse Montréal. He has worked professionally with Out Innerspace Dance Theatre, Compagnie Vision Impure, Dance Victoria, Mahaila Patterson-O’Brien, Amber Funk Barton (the response.), Mascall Dance, Generous Mess, Radical System Art and Corporeal Imago. Isak is also a founding member of CAMP, contributing as a dancer and choreographer. Touring with these companies have included performances across Canada, USA, Europe and Israel.

Photo Richie Lubaton Photography