Christopher Gillis (February 26, 1951–August 7, 1993) was an important Canadian male dancer and choreographer and member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company in New York City.
Early life and career Christopher Gillis was born on February 26, 1951, in Montreal, Quebec. He was the son of Gene Gillis, a US Olympic skier, and Rhona Wurtele, a Canadian Olympic skier who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics along with her twin sister Rhoda. His sister, Margie Gillis, is also a dancer and choreographer; they were dance partners from childhood and collaborated on numerous shows. His brother, Jere Gillis, played professional hockey from 1977 to 1987 for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Quebec Nordiques, Buffalo Sabres, and the Philadelphia Flyers.
Gillis studied with Finis Jhung, with Paul Taylor and with choreographers May O'Donnell and Norman Walker. He performed with José Limón's company.
He joined the Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1976 in New York City. He lived and worked in New York for the next seventeen years. He was designated Taylor's heir-apparent.
His works have been performed by the Paul Taylor company, the White Oak Dance Project and the Fairfax Ballet.
He died on August 7, 1993 in New York City, from AIDS complications at the age of 42.
Works
As choreographer Ne Me Quitte Pas 1993 Landscape 1993 Ghost Stories (around 1985?) Andalusian Green 1992 Icarus At Night 1991 Curbs & Corridors 1990 Luvs Alphabet 1989 Spell It Out 1988 Paean 1987 VeRS La Glace 1986 Thin Ice 1982
As dancer Fact and Fancy 3 Epitaphs & All / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1991 Of Bright & Blue Birds & the Gala Sun 1990 The Sorcerer's Sofa / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1989 Minikin Fair / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1989 Speaking in Tongues / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988 Danbury Mix / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988 Counterswarm / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988 Brandenburgs / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988 Syzygy / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1987 Kith and Kin / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1987 A Musical Offering / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1986 Ab Ovo Usque Ad Mala (From Soup to Nuts) / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1986 Roses / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1985 Byzantium / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1984 Equinox / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1983 Snow White / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1983 Sunset / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1983 Mecuric Tidings / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1982 Lost, Found and Lost / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1981 House of Cards / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1981 Arden Court / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1981 Le Sacre du Printemps (the Rehearsal) / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1980 Profiles / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1979 Nightshade / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1979 Diggity / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1978 Airs / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1978 Aphrodisiamania / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1977 Dust / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1977 Images / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1977 Polaris / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1976 Cloven Kingdom / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1976
Film Eye on Dance, Produced by: Celia Ipiotis. Documentary/Interview with Margie and Christopher Gillis, ARC Videodance NY 1990
References
Further reading He is mentioned in the books: Moving Words: Re-Writing Dance, by Gary Morris Beyond Shame: Reclaiming the Abandoned History of Radical Gay Sexuality, by Patrick Moore The American Dance Festival, by Jack Anderson
External links Memorial service Article and photo on AWA