ABOUT US
Parts+Labour, a Montreal-based contemporary dance company, is dedicated to embodying the choreographic vision of its co-artistic directors, David Albert-Toth and Emily Gualtieri.
For over a decade, this creative pair has delved into the intricacies of the human experience, crafting captivating and thought-provoking works. Their creations thrive on the interplay between reality and imagination, woven together collaboratively with intimately engaged artists. Their enduring fascination with metamorphosis propels their artistic pursuits, while they steadfastly redefine collaborative partnerships across diverse creative realms.
Employing a unique call-and-response approach, these choreographers have crafted a movement vocabulary that places performers at the nexus of scripted precision and spontaneous expression. Their physically dynamic performances challenge conventional theatrical boundaries, beckoning audiences into unexpected voyages.
Their contributions to the Canadian dance community have garnered multiple awards and nominations, recognizing their imprint on the art form.
OUR STORY
In 2013, David and Emily introduced their artistic work to Montreal audiences, presenting La chute and In Mixed Company at Tangente, receiving widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike. La chute embarked on a national tour, winning the Audience Award at the 2015 dance:made in canada festival. Meanwhile, In Mixed Company was reprised at Tangente and received the Dance Award at the Vue sur la relève 2015 festival. La vie attend, presented in Montreal in 2017 at Danse-Cité in partnership with La Chapelle, played to sold-out audiences for two weeks before touring the Atlantic provinces and Toronto, culminating in a nomination for the Dora Mavor Moore Award - Outstanding Ensemble.
In 2021, their creation Efer at Danse Danse, featuring a cast of seven performers at Place des Arts’ Cinquième Salle, was part of the official selection of the Biennale Parcours Danse 2021 and won the Prix RIDEAU. In 2022, the duo presented À bout de bras, a solo performed by David and directed by Emily, in co-production with Agora de la danse. This work was presented at the Dancing on the Edge festival in Vancouver and as part of the official selection for the Biennale Parcours Danse 2023. Complementing its artistic activities, the company also produced At Arm's Length, a cinematic counterpart to the performance, directed by long-time collaborator Robin Pineda Gould. The film was presented at InShadow Lisbon Screen Dance Festival, WNDX Festival of Moving Image, and the 41st edition FIFA 2023 Official Selection.
In addition to their creative activities, David and Emily actively contribute to the dance community through their pedagogical and outreach initiatives. They regularly conduct master classes and workshops, have been commissioned to create over a dozen works nationally, and have recently expanded their scope to include international activities.
Their expertise extends to professional mentorships and guest teaching roles at Canadian institutions such as UQAM, Concordia University, EDCM, l'École de danse de Québec (EDQ) and the Ottawa School of Dance (SOD), as well as workshop series such as TransFormation Danse and Springboard Danse Montréal.
Having been artists-in-residence at Concordia University, they currently hold associate artist positions with Compagnie Flak and Cas Public, reinforcing their commitment to the growth and enrichment of the artistic community.
Photos © Robin Pineda Gould
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David Albert-Toth is a dancer, choreographer, composer, and co-artistic director of PARTS+LABOUR. His diverse collaborations have led him to perform across North America and Europe with artists like Frédérick Gravel, Lemieux.Pilon 4D-Art, Human Playground, and Destins Croisés. He has also contributed to interdisciplinary works with Cédric Délorme-Bouchard, Moment Factory, Phi Centre, CHA Collective, Julie Favreau, and with Alexia Bürger in La Femme Qui Fuit, which opened TNM's 2024-25 season.
In 2011, David co-founded PARTS+LABOUR with Emily Gualtieri. Notable works include In Mixed Company (2013; Prix Vue sur la relève), La chute (2013; Audience Choice Award), La vie attend (2017; Dora Award nomination), and Efer (2021; Prix RIDEAU). David and Emily premiered À bout de bras in 2022, co-produced by Agora de la danse, with its cinematic adaptation At Arm’s Length (FIFA 2023 Official Selection).
David’s work and scope of interest as a choreographer and dance artist are often inspired by his Jewish heritage, drawing from its philosophical and cultural richness, its focus on morality, and the socio-political complexities that have shaped his family’s identity over recent generations. This heritage informs much of his artistic exploration, infusing his work with a deep sense of reflection on themes of ethics, identity, and cultural continuity.
Alongside his creative work, David remains an active presence in the dance community as a sought after performer, teacher, and mentor.
Photo © Robin Pineda Gould
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Emily Gualtieri is a two-time Dora Award-nominated choreographer and dance artist working in Montreal. After several years spent choreographing independently, Emily began a creative partnership with David Albert-Toth, founding PARTS+LABOUR in 2011. Their first major works In Mixed Company and La chute would go on to tour across Canada and win various awards. Emily and David’s works have been presented in festivals across Canada, US, and parts of Europe. Emily has participated in and led artist residencies in Montreal, Toronto, Banff, Halifax, Massachusetts, Berlin, Vienna, and Italy. Emily’s independent creations include À la prochaine (2013), performed by Ginelle Chagnon, Re:Pairing (2015), a DanceWorks CoWorks production, and Stealing Fire (2016) a commission for Mocean Dance. The company then premiered La vie attend (2017) co-produced by Danse-Cité and presented at La Chapelle, and Efer (2021; Prix RIDEAU, Parcours Danse 2021) co-produced and presented by Danse Danse with dates at La Rotonde, Théâtre de la ville, Théâtre Gilles Vigneault, Theatre du Bic, and a CAM en tournée. Emily directed David in the solo À bout de bras which pre-premiered at the Atlantic Dance Festival (ADFDA) in Moncton, followed by the Montreal premiere at Agora de la Danse in fall 2022 with follow-up performances in Vancouver.
In addition to the company’s repertoire, David and Emily are also active teachers and have been commissioned by EDCM, EDQ, and OSOD, and have been guest faculty at UQAM and Concordia University’s Dance Departments.
Photo © Robin Pineda Gould
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
AMY BLACKMORE
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VICE-PRESIDENT
EMILY GUALTIERI
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TREASURER
FANNIE BELLEFEUILLE
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ADMINISTRATOR
DAVID ALBERT-TOTH
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ADMINISTRATOR
ANGÉLIQUE WILLKIE
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SECRETARY
ALLISON NICHOL
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ADMINISTRATOR
TIMOTHY RODRIGUES
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