TUESDAYS AT THE THEATRE
Wolmer’s Dance Troupe 29th Season of Dance a family affair
Published:Tuesday | October 1, 2019 | 12:00 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
The Little Theatre stage served less as a setting and more as a state of mind when the Wolmer’s Dance Troupe took centrestage last weekend for their 29th Season of Dance, aptly named ‘Sense of Peace’. The production, an 18-piece repertoire of dance, creativity, cultural expression and extraordinary talent, in-born and built, was not one to be missed.
The works of the troupe’s artistic director, Barbara McDaniel, and well-known choreographers such as Kevin Moore, Chester Jones, and Marlon Anthony shaped a real amalgamation of music with all the art forms – painting a vivid picture of the significance of dance to society.
Pieces like the curtain-raiser Motherland, an excerpt from Dance Theatre Xaymaca 1996, fused with new moves for From Africa to Xaymaca, Our Lives Matter, Birds at Peace, Resolú, The Pearly Gate, War Cry, Go Off and Show Out, and A Father’s Love, which featured seven dancers with their dads (easily named a crowd favourite) had the audience begging for an encore.
It is clear that a lot was invested in the troupe’s season of dance, which, according to Roxanne Hussey, one of the many mothers on its executive body, “our investment is what makes Wolmer’s Dance Troupe a special place”.
REWARDING EXPERIENCE
Hussey shared, “When a parent or anyone for that matter, gets the opportunity to sit and watch the children grow with every season, seeing them get better and better, it will be rewarding for them. The production was about good overcoming the bad; fostering disciplined citizens will contribute positively to society in the future. I believe that is what Barbara strives for with the youngsters, and once they can equally commit to dance and schoolwork, we end up with well-rounded personalities.”
The show is generally known for the involvement of passionate dance moms like Hussey, but this time around went against the grain with its introduction of promising ‘dance dads’ like Clive Segree, Alvin Davis, Shawn Dixon, Garnet Tucker, Everton Younger, Kirk Holgate and Johnathan Buchanan, who warned that there is competition ahead for future seasons.
FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE
Following the performance, Segree told The Gleaner, “This is a moment in life that Paris and I will never forget. Contrary to what people might think, there are fathers that want to be part of activities like these because it shows a sense of belongingness and interest in what their daughters do.”
The significance of dancing with his daughter to the lyrics of Luther Vandross, he added, “Is that it gives motivation; what’s needed to push my daughter to continue. It was fun as well as fulfilling … . I had an awesome time and certainly would not pass up another chance to do it again”.
Emotions ricocheted during Our Lives Matter as dancers Lauren Boothe, Taniella Francis, Rhea Douglas, Jana Richardson, Carmen-Elena Stewart and Noelle Stennett plunged on to the stage to the sounds of electro-pop music. The dancers immediately evoked strength and intense passion through Chester Jones’ choreography to Elastic Heart by Sia, with Boothe’s facial expressions, especially, projecting veracity that is needed to bring anyone to tears. She is also named as a choreographer for a piece titled Champ in the season’s programme.
Standing out also was Noelle Stennett, another senior dancer of the troupe who had the opportunity to show off her skills as a choreographer for this season. She is graceful and demonstrates the right amount of flair so that she does not fall into the background, and yet does her best to share the spotlight as she dances.
Her father, Robert Stennett, observed sitting about seven rows from the stage with a proud expression on his face, could not be ignored. Unfortunately, a busy schedule did not allow for him to be part of the father-daughter performance. Sounding almost jealous, he admitted: “I would have loved to share the stage with my daughter but could not dedicate any time to rehearsals. Still, I am here in the audience, as my job is to support Noelle in anything she wants to do.”