SURPLUSES & DEFICITS

2025 / 70:00 MINUTES / WORK IN PROGRESS

Surpluses & Deficits is Roger Sinha’s memoir, a tribute to a pivotal moment in his life: the decision to abandon his studies in economics to devote himself entirely to his true passion – dance. A series of life scenes, inspired by his experiences and those of his stage partner Emmanuelle Martin, unfold and intertwine, combining different forms of expression: dance, music, theatre, spoken word and video projection.

This piece explores the complex and unique relationship between choreographer and performer in dance. Through this intricate web of relationship archetypes, deeper power dynamics emerge – issues of race, family estrangement and a fragmented or misunderstood identity. Dance unifies these fragments of personal experience and serves as a powerful medium for connection, healing and ultimately an essential act of survival.

ABOUT THE CREATORS

ROGER SINHA

ORIGINAL CONCEPT & CHOREOGRAPHY

Roger Sinha is a Montreal-based multi-award winning choreographer, dancer and artistic director. With 35 years of artistic career and more than twenty major pieces to its credit, Roger Sinha’s work stands out for its unrivalled blend of contemporary dance, classical Indian dance, martial arts, live music and new technologies. Recently, he was awarded a dancers transitions parallel training grant to study music and the Abelton music softwares which has helped him pursue new artistic horizons. Full biography here.

EMMANUELLE MARTIN

CO-CREATOR AND PERFORMER

With a bachelor’s degree in dance and training in France, the United States and Canada, Emmanuelle specializes in contemporary and urban dance. She is known for her versatility, improvisational skills and strong stage presence. She has been working as a dance artist for over ten years and has collaborated with numerous artists and companies worldwide. She works with Van Grimde Corps Secret, Trip the Light Fantastic, Bouge de là, Audrey Gaussiran, Rhodnie Désir Création, The Other Theater and Sinha Danse. As a choreographer, Emmanuelle not only responds to commissions but also develops her repertoire. In her work, dedicated to ecology and the interconnectedness of everything, she strives to deconstruct movement to reveal its raw, visceral nature in a quest for authenticity.

MENKA NAGRANI

DRAMATURGE

Menka Nagrani, a multidisciplinary artist, choreographer, and director, is a pioneer in the inclusion of artists with disabilities in Quebec. Founder of Productions des pieds des mains in 2004, she creates performances blending dance, theater, and music, exploring innovative forms and atypical casting. Her work, recognized in Quebec and internationally, highlights disability diversity and inspires academic research on her teaching methods. A lecturer and trainer, she advocates for an artistic vision where diversity and excellence come together. She has received numerous artistic excellence awards and has been honored with the Order of Montreal, the Order of Canada, and the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec.

CREDITS

ORIGINAL CONCEPT AND CHOREOGRAPHY Roger Sinha
PERFORMERS Roger Sinha and Emmanuelle Martin
DRAMATURGE Menka Nagrani
TANGO COACH Marjolaine Auger
COSTUMES Sabrina Miller
VIDEO AND MOTION DESIGN Jérôme Delapierre
LIGHTING DESIGN Tim Rodrigues
POEMS AND SPOKEN WORDS Roger Sinha
EMMANUELLE’S SOLO POEM Roger Sinha and Emmanuelle Martin
SOUND DESIGN Roger Sinha
LIVE MUSIC – RAV Roger Sinha and Emmanuelle Martin
LIVE MUSIC – DIDGERIDOO Roger Sinha
ORIGINAL MUSIC FOR THE VIDEO Kai Dobbertin

RECORDED MUSIC

Create Culture by Quantas; Quizas, Quizas, Quizas by Nat King Cole; La Gloria by Gotan Project; Prelude by John Hanks; from Burning Skin by Himmat Singh Shinhat; Danuble Blue by Johanne Strauss II; A Chorus Line by Eric Kunze; Sleepingbeauty byt he New Philharmonic Orchestra; Speaking in Tongues by Sheila Chandra; The Rite if Spring Igor Stravinsly; Chapati by Undercover; Buddist Throat Singing Monks; Gisèle Act II Final but the London Symphony.

Thanks to Sara Porter for our first creative workshop process that gave us the impetus for this projects.

Thanks to Benoit Leduc for coaching the remount of the tango from Roger Sinha’s creation Benches in 2005.