“If Skeels is a sensation today, it’s as much thanks to his virtuosity as to his all-round career.”
— Le Monde, Paris
Skeels Danse, based in Montreal, blends contemporary dance, theater, and design to create deeply evocative and immersive works. With each piece, the company crafts a world that captures both the intricacies of movement and the emotional breadth of the human experience. Their debut production, Rose of Jericho (2017), garnered widespread acclaim, touring over 30 cities and establishing Skeels Danse as a rising force in the dance world. In 2023, they premiered their second major work, Past Rooms, which JEU Magazine hailed as “a little gem of dance-theater, polished with care.”
The company’s presence has graced the stages of prestigious festivals and venues, including Boston Moving Arts, Danse Danse, Festival des arts de Saint-Sauveur, WestWave Dance Festival in San Francisco, Festival Quartiers Danses, and Art FIFA, among others.
Andrew Skeels’ creative reach extends far beyond his own company. He has crafted work for celebrated institutions such as Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, Nederlands Dans Theater, Bayerisches Staatsballett, Cirque du Soleil, and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. His 2018 work, *Finding Now*, created for Théâtre de Suresnes, won the Grand Prix de la Critique in Paris, affirming his reputation as a visionary on the international stage. Through each creation, Skeels continues to redefine the possibilities of dance, captivating audiences worldwide with his singular vision.
Andrew Skeels
Andrew Skeels grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, where his passion for dance was fostered under the guidance of Carol Roderick at the Boston Ballet School and Anne Tolbert at the University of Massachusetts. This early foundation led to a distinguished career with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, where he performed in landmark works by internationally acclaimed choreographers such as Jiří Kylián, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Marco Goecke, Stijn Celis, Didy Veldman, and Stephan Thoss. These experiences provided him with a profound understanding of diverse choreographic styles, which later informed his own distinct artistic voice.
In 2015, Skeels established Skeels Danse in Montreal, Quebec, envisioning it as a platform to explore and push the boundaries of his creative potential. With Skeels Danse, he has developed a unique choreographic language that melds his diverse influences, including film editing, martial arts, urban dance, contact improvisation, contemporary dance, and classical ballet. His work is often described as eclectic yet meticulously detailed, marked by a cinematic approach that transforms choreography into rich, visual storytelling. This perspective allows him to create layered, theatrical worlds onstage, where movement becomes a powerful vehicle for exploring universal human experiences.
Skeels' commitment to craftsmanship is evident in his precision and depth, as he constantly seeks to challenge dancers in ways that enhance their artistic growth and versatility. His choreography invites dancers to engage deeply with the material, offering them opportunities to navigate complex emotions and physical demands. As an artist, Skeels is driven by an expansive curiosity and a relentless pursuit of innovation, making his work a dynamic and thought-provoking experience for audiences.