Marcia Dysart

Recognized as a senior artist by the New Brunswick Arts Board, she engages in collaborative projects with musicians, visual artists, directors, filmmakers, and fellow dancers. Notably her dance film We Walk Invisible, created with cinematographer Michael Mohan, received acclaim at the Atlantic Dance Film Festival and was featured on the Canada Dance Assembly's website, highlighting its impact within the dance community. Currently, Marcia is involved in Still Buffering, a multi-disciplinary work produced by Connection Dance Works that debuted at the Imperial Theatre in May of 2024 and is set to tour in 2025/2026. This project combines dance, theatre, and film to explore technology's influence on human relationships. She is also developing her newest work, The Self in Shadow, supported by artsnb, which delves into themes of identity and perception. This project combines dance, film, projection and original music. In addition to contemporary dance, Marcia has made significant contributions to musical theatre, collaborating with the Saint John Theatre Company on productions such as Mary Poppins, 9 to 5: The Musical, Annie, and Marco Polo: The Musical. As a founding director of Connection Dance Works, she fosters collaborative opportunities for artists to engage, create, and perform. In addition, she co-founded Youth Dance Fest East, a non-competitive festival that supports learning, collaboration, and appreciation for the art of dance among young performers. A passionate advocate for arts education, Marcia has developed curricula for schools and serves on various boards and juries. She holds a Bachelor of Education and Science and is a graduate of Canada’s National Academy of Dance Education, with certifications in Progressing Ballet Technique and the American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum. Marcia studied modern and contemporary dance at McMaster’s Center for Dance Performance and at Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. She is a former dancer with the Hamilton Dance Company and Parahumans Dance. Additionally, she owns and directs First City School of Dance Inc. in Saint John, NB, where she furthers her commitment to nurturing the next generation of dancers.