Peter Randazzo

Choreographer

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Dancer, choreographer and trailblazer in contemporary dance, Peter Randazzo is a co-founder of Toronto Dance Theatre (TDT). Born in Brooklyn, NY,  he joined the Martha Graham company in 1962 and went on to create significant roles in several of her works. He toured with José Limón and performed at famed Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village. In 1968 Randazzo moved to Canada to co-found TDT with Patricia Beatty and David Earle. The birth of the company was a landmark moment that introduced a new vision to Canadian dance while also training new generations of modern dancers.

One of the county’s most prolific choreographers, Randazzo’s work is known for its technically gruelling vocabulary, drama and passion, but also for its humour. Often inspired by the visual arts, he created what many consider his masterpiece, L’assassin Menace based on the painting by Rene Magritte. His work A Simple Melody, created in 1977, became the TDT touring closer and the company’s most popular work. Along with Patricia Beatty and David Earle, Peter Randazzo was inducted by Dance Collection Danse into the Encore! Dance Hall of Fame in 2019.