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| Members of Campion College Dance Society in "Roots" |
Dance has
long been a force among the arts in Jamaica, with pioneering companies
such as Rex Nettleford’s National Dance Theatre Company holding a mirror up to
society and promoting Caribbean culture.
Now students
are taking the genre to a whole new level with powerful, socially relevant
performances.
The island’s
top high school, Campion College, is one of the institutions leading the way.
Now in its seventh season, the school’s Dance Society performed to packed
audiences in Kingston this month with their “Roots” production, which addressed
issues such as violence against women and the challenges young people face in
building confidence and self-esteem.
Comprising
riveting choreography, vibrant costumes, ingenious stage sets, and an eclectic
selection of music, the show at the landmark Little Theatre equally referenced Jamaica’s 55th anniversary of independence from Britain. Dancers
wearing the colours of the flag – black, green and gold – leapt through the air
as they portrayed the country’s tradition of sporting excellence, in a piece
entitled “In Our Lane”, choreographed by Renee McDonald.
Of the pieces
performed, however, perhaps the most memorable was a depiction of gender-based
violence, and an appeal for it to end. This segment, titled “Misogyny (2017)”
featured a mesmeric solo by Shade Thaxter, depicting a strong young woman with
her future stretching before her. Then came a shocking scene that brought home
the extent to which young people, both girls and boys, are affected by the
level of aggression in the society.
The music for
this work employed lyrics from the poem “Phenomenal Woman” by American writer
Maya Angelou, as well as excerpts of the song “Strength of a Woman” by Jamaican performer
Shaggy.
Despite the
sombre moments, “Roots” overall was an infectious celebration - of heritage,
ancestry, culture, and the numerous achievements of a young nation.
According to
Principal Grace Baston, the students “as much as possible are involved in the creative
process with the selection of themes and the music”, under the guidance of
artistic director Dwright Wright, a teacher at the school.
“In this ...
year, we are being called to reflect on origins, those of our Dance Society as
well as those of our nation – hence the most apt title ‘Roots’,” Baston said.
The 64
dancers in the troupe range in age from 11 to 20 years old. For “Roots”, the
artistic team and resident choreographers included Oraine Frater and Orville
McFarlane, both dancers with the L'Acadco Dance Company, another strong
professional company in Jamaica.
Guest choreographers
were Marlon Simms from the NDTC as well as Steven Cornwall and Chester Jones,
both freelance dancehall choreographers. Their segment used popular grooves to express joyfulness and liberation, rather than the so-called "slackness" for which dancehall has become known.
Superb stage lighting that enhanced the dances was created by Baston’s husband Robin – an architect and theatre director. He oversaw the technical aspects of the production, and his manipulation of the sets added to the show’s impact.
Superb stage lighting that enhanced the dances was created by Baston’s husband Robin – an architect and theatre director. He oversaw the technical aspects of the production, and his manipulation of the sets added to the show’s impact.
The Campion
College Dance Society’s stated mission is to “bridge mind and body through
dance”, but with their performances, they go beyond this, inviting the audience
on a journey of reflection and discovery, as they build on Jamaica’s dance
tradition.
“We can send
messages through movement,” Wright said.
At the end of
the final show, both he and Baston paid tribute to Rex Nettleford who
founded the NDTC in 1962 (the year that Jamaica gained its independence) and to
current artistic director Barry Moncrieffe. Some of Campion’s dancing grads
have already found a home in that iconic company.
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| The flyer for the production. |
