MoRF

University of Calgary Movement Research Festival (MoRF)

Nov. 20 - Dec. 3, 2025

A festival that celebrates the depth and breadth of dance research

The University of Calgary School of Creative and Performing Arts is pleased to present the University of Calgary Movement Research Festival (MoRF), a festival that celebrates the depth and breadth of dance research on campus and around the globe.

This 3rd annual festival launches on Thursday, November 20 and ends on Wednesday, December 3.

We are excited to announce that this year's festival is in partnership with the Faculty of Kinesiology, Dancers' Studio West (DSW), the Calgary Hip Hop and Street Dance Festival (HHSDF).

This year's events include:

  • MoRFlix | November 20 | 06:30PM | a highly anticipated showcase of dance films by UCalgary students, alumni, and faculty as well as from the Calgary Hip Hop and Street Dance Festival. This event will be at West Village Theatre.
     
  • TransFoRM | November 22 + 23 - 07:30PM | an evening of innovative works by local and international choreographers.  This year's festival includes works by Dr. Eva Macias (USA/CAN), Meghann Michalsky (CAN), De-Ann Weekes (TTO/CAN), 7Starr (USA), and Lady C (CAN).
     
  • UCalgary Dance Research Conference | November 23 to 28 | a conference profiling the latest dance research by faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and select community members.
     
  • Dance@Noon | December 1, 2, and 3 | 12:00PM | the festival concludes with the popular afternoon program, Dance@Noon, featuring choreographer from our 3rd year BFA DNCE students.
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Welcome to our 3rd annual UCalgary Movement Research Festival (MoRF), a festival that celebrates the depth and breadth of dance research. We are excited to welcome you on campus!  Inspired by the success of the past two seasons, the festival grows exponentially this year with major community partners, Dancers' Studio West and the Calgary Hip Hop & Street Dance Festival, with the support of the Faculty of Kinesiology.

MoRF is a two-week celebration of dance as an art form, a means of social inquiry and an area of scientific study. An opportunity for us to collectively appreciate that the body carries intelligence and that culture is an essential part of society.

This edition of MoRF will leave us with much to consider, from innovative and diverse dance works by local and international choreographers, a full-week discussion among local, national, and international scholars, the latest dance research from our University community, dance on film, and  emerging student-choreographers' works.

I look forward to being moved, learning, and sharing with you.

Marie France Forcier

still image from a screendance film. Blurry silhouette of an individual centre screen.

Yuetong Li, Jullian Visco

MoRFlix

NOVEMBER 20 • 6:30 p.m. • WEST VILLAGE THEATRE

Dance film screenings and digital storytellings from UCalgary students, alumni, staff and faculty as well as from the Calgary Hip Hop and Street Dance Festival.

West Village Theatre is located at 2007 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0K4. Please see this page for directions and parking.

 

SUBMIT A FILM
TransFoRM 2025 — there is a row of dancers standing on tap boards facing the audience. The cyc in the background is red.

Fifth Wall Media

TransFoRM

NOVEMBER 22 & 23 • 7:30 p.m. • UNIVERSITY THEATRE • $22/$17

An evening program featuring choreography by Dr. Eva Macias, Meghann Michalsky, De-Ann Weekes, 7Starr, and Lady C.

This event is free for UCalgary students through the Claim Your Seat Program.

PROGRAM TICKETS

UCalgary Dance Research Conference

NOVEMBER 23 to 28 • 12:00 p.m. to 04:00 p.m. • VARIOUS VENUES • FREE

UCalgary Dance Research Conference sharing the latest in dance studies and dance science research from faculty, staff and students (graduate and undergraduate). This year's conference will include panels and workshops.

FREE ADMISSION - NO TICKET REQUIRED.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Four dancers, two kneeling and two standing, are reaching to the right with their arms outstretched and hands connecting. They are wearing black pants and brownish button up tops.

Fifth Wall Media

Dance@Noon

DECEMBER 1–3 • 12:00 PM • UNIVERSITY THEATRE • FREE

Dance@Noon presents the live performance of 3rd year BFA Dance students.

FREE ADMISSION - NO TICKET REQUIRED.

PROGRAM

Credits

  1. Staff

    Interim School Director JOELLE WELLING
    Associate Director TBC
    Dance Division Lead MELANIE KLOETZEL
    Drama Division Lead JANE MACFARLANE
    Music Division Lead ROD SQUANCE
    Performance and Artist Coordinator ALIDA LOWE
    Department Manager SACHI PERERA
    Administrative Assistant ALEXANDRA LYONS
    Academic Programs Specialist ROSABEL CHOI
    Academic Programs Specialist CONSTANTINA CALDIS ROBERTS
    Graduate Program Advisor ALISON SCHMAL

  2. Theatre Services

    Venue Business Administrator ABIR BACHIR
    Booking Administrator CATHERINE ROULEAU
    Front of House Manager LIZZY EVASHKEVICH
    Audio Technician BRAD HAWKINS
    Lighting Technician JASON SCHWARZ
    Scenic Carpenter SCOTT FREEMAN
    Stage Technician IAN WILSON

    TransFoRM & Dance@Noon Lighting Designer MATT LEVESQUE
    TransFoRM Stage Support RACHEL MCKINNON