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	GRINDL KUCHIRKA Grindl Kuchirka is a unique Canadian artist who combines the dedication and discipline of the dancer with the whimsical spontaneity of a clown. With extensive training in dance and movement as well as 25 years of experience as a professional clown, Grindl has performed at festivals, in theatres and on television in North America, Europe and Asia. She has created, developed and conducted her signature "Dancing Clown Workshop" as well as choreographed for Dance, Theatre, and Television in Canada, France, and Holland. Currently she stars in the Canadian hit television show "The Big Comfy Couch" which is televised internationally and was the recipient of the Canadian Gemini Awards for Best Children's Television Show in 1995. She plays the lovable Granny Garbanzo. Her artistic endeavors have been generously supported by The Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Laidlaw Foundation, and The Canada Council for the Arts. B I O G R A P H Y
	BALLET Paula Ross, Vancouver, BC Kay Armstrong, Vancouver, BC Chiat Goh, Vancouver, BC Danielle Clifford, Vancouver, BC Maria Asamasova, Toronto, ON Richard Sugarman, Toronto, ON Stelio CaLagias, Toronto, ON MODERN David Dressler, Vancouver, BC Paula Ross, Vancouver, BC Nadia Pavlychenko, Toronto, ON Kathryn Brown, Toronto, ON Amelia Itcush, Toronto, ON Toronto Dance Theatre, Toronto, ON Claudia Moore, Toronto, ON Dindi Lidge, Toronto, ON Teachers Collective, Toronto, ON CLOWN/THEATRE Monica Pagneux, France Yuri Belov, Russia Pierre Byland, Switzerland Maria Cassi, Italy Jeanmarie Bevort, Holland OTHER DISCIPLINES Yoga Tai Chi Feldenkrais Alexander Technique T R A I N I N G
	DANCE COMPANIES 1970-1992 Paula Ross Dance Co., Vancouver, BC Pavlychenko Dance Co., Toronto, ON Maxine Hepner and Dancers, Toronto, ON Link Theatre Co., Vancouver, BC The Flying Galwampkis, Toronto, ON P R O F E S S I O N A L E N G A G E M E N T S   CHOREOGRAPHY 1979-2001 "Timesteps" - Children's Show, 1988 "Solo Clown" - Expo 86, Vancouver, BC "Reflections on Crooked Walking" - Toronto, ON "Troupers" - TV for children "Flower Fairy" Clown en pointe - Merrytime Clown & Puppet Co. "Da Ghost of Dat Flower" Ballet - Satire "Zagu and Boo" Modern - Comedy "Underground" - Collaboration with Leslie Link "The Old Bear with the Sore Head" Mime - Comedy "What was Dat Song dey were Playing" Tango - Comedy "Tribute to La Mome Piaff" - Pas de deux "Cello" - Solo "Dance to the Unknown" - Pas de deux "The Radio" - Theatre Show "The Peace Piece" - Solo dance to piano "Solo" - Commissioned for CBC "Streets of Paris" - Study of street clown "The Big Comfy Couch" - Consultant/Choreographer   TEACHING 1973-PRESENT Netherlands Clown School, Amersterdam Passe Partout, Netherlands Claude Watson High School of the Arts, Toronto, ON Koffler Centre of the Arts, Toronto, ON Pavlychenko Studio, Toronto, ON Inner City Angels, Toronto, ON Toronto Board of Education, Toronto, ON Paula Ross Studio, Vancouver, BC Mime Co. Unlimited, Toronto, ON York University, Toronto, ON The Space, Toronto, ON   FESTIVALS Canada Day - National Capital Commission, Ottawa, ON International Children's Festivals - Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Regina, Kenora International Festival of Clowning - Dartmouth, NS Festival Stage, Ontario Place - Toronto, ON Kingsville Migration Festival Halifax Buskers Festival International, NS Canadian National Exhibition, ON St. John Buskers on Board Walk, NB Whistler Mountain International Street Festival, BC United Way - Toronto, ON International Comedy Festival - Vancouver, BC Edmonton Folk Festival, AB Hamilton Festival of Friends, ON Expo '86 - Vancouver, BC Dance in Canada Festival - Vancouver, BC Danceworks - Toronto, ON Nordhorn International Festival - Germany Tour Soane et Loire - France International Clown Festival - Japan Oranjeboom International Streetfest - Rotterdam, Holland Les Arts dans la Rue - Morlaix, France Emmen Festival - Holland Holland Village - Nagasaki, Japan Riverbend Festival - Chattanooga, Tennessee Nova Scotia Old Summer Home Festival Faro Yukon Folk Festival Busker Festival - Cornerbrook, NL North York Winter Carnival - ON Streetfare 95 - Vancouver, BC Numerous festivals in Holland & Belgium   THEATRES Young People's Theatre - Toronto, ON Muzenval Theatre - Emman, Holland Ontario Place Forum - Toronto, ON Harbourfront Brigantine Theatre - Toronto, ON The Rivoli - Toronto, ON Grand Theatre - London, ON Petit Theatre/Sonara-Macon, France Winter Garden Theatre - Toronto, ON Poor Alex Theatre - Toronto, ON Manitoba Theatre Centre - Winnipeg, MB Jack Singer Concert Hall - Calgary, AB Vancouver East Cultural Centre - BC Waterfront Theatre - Vancouver, BC 26 City U.S. Comfy Couch Tour Community Theatres - france   SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS Guest Artist - Netherlands Clown School, Amsterdam (Dance workshops 5 years) Guest Artist - Master Clown Workshop, Stratford Teachers Conference Special Guest - Marymount School, Paris, France Cast Member - Canadian tour of Broadway Musical "Barnum" Recipient of Choreography Award - Ontario Arts Council Granny Garbanzo - "The Big Comfy Couch" television series for children Annual Members' Party - Mainstage, Young People's Theatre Movement Consultant/Choreographer - "The Big Comfy Couch" Royal Ceremony for Prince Charles & Princess Diana, PE Principal Performer, "Lights, Camera, Circus" - The Forum, Toronto, ON Co-creator with Sam Walton of "The Flying Galwampkis" (comedy/dance/theatre duo) The Dance Clown Workshop - The Space, Toronto, ON   TELEVISION The Big Comfy Couch (Gemini Award, 1995 for Best Children's Show) Radical Sheep Productions Principal Role for YTV Children's Variety Dog City (Muppet Special) Jim Henson Productions Puppeteer Muppet Christmas Special Henson Associates/CTV Puppeteer Paul Hahn & Friends Children's National TV Feature Performer Brent Titcomb CBC Ottawa Dancer Troupers Atlantis Films/Global TV Featured as "The Flying Galwampkis" in 20 shows
© Grindl Kuchirka 2004   Music by Oliver Schroer
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