The Impulse Series

The Impulse Series is a new interdisciplinary performance series pilot presented in partnership by The Rooms, Sound Arts Initiatives, and Neighbourhood Dance Works.

The series brings together local dancers and musicians to create spontaneous, real-time compositions in an intimate, low-tech performance setting.

Each presentation features a small mixed ensemble improvising together—without predetermined choreography or musical scores—and is followed by a short audience reflection period.

Tickets: $5 plus HST. Get your tickets online or by calling 709-757-8090.

June 12 – Impulse Series

Simon Alteen
Simon is an actor born and raised in Newfoundland. He is a recent graduate of The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art in Ireland. Recent credits include: RICHARD in Dolly’s House (Capacity Theatre, St. John’s), FRIAR LAWRENCE in Romeo and Juliet (The Mill Theatre, Dublin), DROSSELMEYER in The Nutcracker Ballet Tour (Kittiwake Dance Theatre), DUNCAN/MURDERER in Macbeth (The Mill Theatre, Dublin), MORGAN/REHEARSAL PERFORMER in Good Sex (Dead Centre, Dublin), ROTHKO in RED (The Lir Academy, Dublin).

Jennifer Lynn Dick
Jennifer Lynn Dick [she/her] is a contemporary dance artist whose work bridges performance, choreography, teaching, writing, and archival research. Born in St. John’s, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Beothuk and Mi’kmaq (Ktaqmkuk) she is committed to dance as a shared, evolving practice. Her work is shaped by collaboration—with dancers, musicians, students, and communities. She has created and performed nationally and internationally and holds an MA in Dance from York University, where her research examined embodied archives, authorship, and the dancer’s contribution to choreography.

Yi-Ta (Dean) Hsieh
YI-TA HSIEH (Dean) was born in Taiwan and is currently based in St. John’s, NL, Canada. He began his artistic training in theatre at Taipei National University of the Arts before continuing his development in contemporary dance at SEAD (Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance) in Austria. His work focuses on exploring the relationship between body, shared sensibilities, and space through movement. He has performed in stage productions and collaborative projects across Asia and Europe, and continues to develop his practice through improvisation, seeking a sense of ease and freedom both on stage and in everyday life.

Gabriel Piller
Gabriel Piller has been making noise and experimental music in St. John’s for 25 years. Working under names like Sleeping Police, Blanket Fort, The American W, M. Manifeste, and Wimbledon F.C., he’s released a range of recordings on his label, Knife in the Toaster. His work includes elements of drone, field recordings, and improvisation, often shared through limited-run tapes, CDs, or digital formats. Piller has performed at events like the Sound Symposium and ONSOUND, and continues to quietly contribute to the local experimental scene.

Heather Rumancik
Heather Rumancik is from southern Manitoba and currently lives in St. John’s, NL. Heather is a lighting technician, aerialist, and instructor.
Aerial hoop performances include Echo Village at Memorial University Botanical Garden (2023), and an improvised performance for the short film "Reverberations" (2024), a collaborative project with experimental quartet Vainweather.
When not spinning upside-down, Heather works in the grip and lighting departments on television and film productions between Toronto and St. John’s.