Bio, Deanna Peters

Based on unceded MST Territories, Deanna Peters/Mutable Subject creates, performs and produces for the stage, club, gallery and web. Deanna uses the name ‘Mutable Subject’ because they’re always evolving in their 21 year career. As a creator of “eye-popping” and “deeply moving” dance works, Deanna’s known for pushing the boundaries of the form.

Incorporating multiple dance styles, somatics and everyday gestures, Mutable’s live artworx subvert distinctions between so-called ‘high’ and ‘low’ art. They present a fluidity of persona, within ourselves and with other bodies and things. They value crossing generations, improvisation and sharing beyond the stage.

Recent projects include: not knot naught, The Enormous Room, Something between my face and your face is always interesting, Charégraphie, and Orange.

As well as performing in their own choreography, Deanna’s been engaged as a dancer in every year of their career, most recently with Jeanette Kotowich.

Diverse training projects keep Mutable nimble in body and mind. Currently D’s being mentored in House dance by Sekou Heru (NYC), continues close-study in improvisation and somatics with Helen Walkley, studies Hustle partner dance with Savage & Samuelle, maintains an Itcush Method self-maintenance practice under teachers Ashley Johnson and Kana Nemoto (Regina), and studies yoga with Clara Roberts-Oss. In turn, Deanna mentors fellow artists.

Working both inside and outside of the mainstream, Deanna’s a hyper-active DIY producer who hosts shows, parties, residencies and workshops. Since 2020, they’ve contributed to over twenty projects, with performances in four continents.

A member of Gold Saucer Studio, DP focusses on supporting indie artists. From 2012–2022, Deanna worked at CADA/West, advocating for fairness in dance. Since 2016, they produce interplay_, which pivoted online in 2021. They’re co-founder of aka collective, formed in 2020 to activate new collaborative support models. In 2024, Deanna was appointed Co-Director of the Vancouver International Dance Festival.

Also a web designer, Deanna hand-codes online exhibition spaces and web-based artworks. In response to COVID shutdowns, they helped dozens of artists/organizations from across the country move their activities online.

It's all dance: mutablesubject.ca