Emily McDougall learned to walk on stilts in 2017 and was surprised by how much she enjoyed it. She then followed a rabbit hole of exploration, learning from a variety of instructors until she found herself at a Carpetbag Brigade Physical Theatre workshop in Arcosanti, Arizona.
It was there, at Stiltasana and Global Stilt Congress V, that Emily fell in love with the world of stilt dance. The sense of connection and artistry fostered at these workshops inspired her to bring that spirit to her home city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she has been instrumental in cultivating a growing community of stilt enthusiasts.
Since 2022, Emily has been collaborating with contemporary artist Anastasia Evsigneeva on innovative projects, including Wonderland in Alice. This partnership has allowed Emily to explore the possibilities of contact improvisation and partnering while wearing stilts, pushing the boundaries of her practice and expanding the expressive potential of stilt dance.
Their creative synergy has brought a unique dimension to Emily’s performances, blending the dynamics of contemporary dance with the height and movement of stilts.