BATTERY OPERA PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY

battery opera performance (BOP) is a Vancouver-based arts society that supports the work and projects of co-founders Lee Su-Feh and David McIntosh who continue to lead the organisation as Artistic Director and Artistic Producer respectively. BOP was incorporated as a non-profit arts organisation in 1995. BOP’s mandate is to advance and foster the creation and development of dance theatre music and performance especially those that integrate more than one discipline; to increase public interest and appreciation of performing arts through performances and educational initiatives. The organisations main activities are: The creation and production of new work Engaging in and creating opportunities for public Dialog. Training mentorship dramaturgy and studio residency opportunities in support of other artists. Publicly accessible classes and workshops These projects take place in theatres at festivals in public and private spaces in print and digital media; across Canada and internationally. Public Dialog is provided by panel discussions and public cultural workshops as well as print articles and podcasts. The company continues to provide a wide variety of workshops and training open to the public and the professional community from traditional arts based training to modern dance concepts gyrotonics and voice based work like Fitzmaurice. The company also offers studio creation residencies financial support dramaturgy and mentorship to a diverse range of artists creating their own works. In response to COVID since 2020 we have been offering our studio in Vancouver to younger artists for free weeklong full access studio development residencies. During their residencies they and their cohorts are the only people with access to the studio. The studio is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised in between residencies so as to reduce any possible crossover contamination or anxiety. The residencies and financial support allow artists to continue to develop or practice their work without an obligation to show anything. To just focus on their content and the form of their works. The company also co-produces these artists with other presenters and organisations to support the public performances of the works created.