THE ROOM UPSTAIRS
(previously known as Dances with Trane)
April 29 - May 2, 2026 (world premiere)
Winchester Street Theatre
80 Winchester Street, Toronto, Canada
Choreography by Natasha Powell in collaboration with the dancers
Music Direction by Jacob Gorzhaltsan
Presented by DanceWorks and Toronto Dance Theatre (TDT)
Co-Produced by DanceWorks and Holla Jazz in association with Toronto Dance Theatre
The Room Upstairs is a work inspired by and set to the music of John Coltrane. An ensemble work accompanied by live music that uses the dancing language of jazz, lindy hop, and black vernacular dances. The Room Upstairs is a world that holds space for devotion, camaraderie, and grief.
Choreography
Natasha Powell
Music Direction
Jacob Gorzhaltsan
Associate Music Director
Tom Richards
Dancers
Caroline “Lady C” Fraser
Hollywood Jade
Miha Matevzic
Raoul Wilke
Musicians
Colleen Allen
Thompson Egbo-Egbo
Rebecca Hennessy
Scott Hunter
Tom Richards
Eric West
Production and Stage Manager
Taylor Zalik-Young
Scenic Design and Build
James Kendal
Lighting Design
Emerson Kafarowski
Costume Design
Valerie Calam
Dramaturgy
Seika Boye
Raoul Wilke in rehearsal. Photo by Francesca Chudnoff.