Veteran faces in fresh spaces at Company Dance Theatre

CDT Arts Ltd, the legacy dance organisation which honours renowned dance teacher and choreographer Tony Wilson, founder of the Company Dance Theatre (CDT) and the Tony Wilson School of Modern Dance, has announced a number of new appointments

Last season, CDT commanded the stage with a scintillating energy and production in its inaugural season of dance. After a long-awaited resurgence, the company proclaiming their intentions, and the new prospects are already in full swing towards the mission to “further the pioneering work of Tony Wilson and his contribution to Jamaican arts and culture by continuing to provide modern dance-focused training, inspiring performances, and community outreach in Jamaica and to di worl”.

Steven Cornwall has been promoted to artistic director, a position formerly held by Dr Sade Bully-Bell, with whom he has worked as associate artistic director of The CDT School. In his new role, he will be responsible for directing and managing these responsibilities and now reports to the organisation’s Board of Directors.

While studying dance at the School of Dance at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA), Cornwall also studied under the tutelage of Tony Wilson. One of his most notable performances is his role as Robert, the bookkeeper in Wilson’s ‘Rose Hall’ (2011 and 2013). He has performed in the United States, Suriname, United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, with his latest work being guest artiste with Debbie Allen Dance Academy in its 2022 annual production of The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker.

Adrian Wanliss, who has more than 15 years of professional dance experience in the Caribbean, United States, Canada, The Netherlands, Italy, and Germany, has joined CDT in a brand new role as associate executive director. He was instrumental in assisting CDT in the highly successful staging of its 2022 Season of Dance, ‘Legacy’.

Wanliss holds a bachelor of arts degree in stage performance and choreography from Codarts: Rotterdam Dance Academy. Known for pushing boundaries and taking creative risks, Wanliss arrives with a number of ambitious ideas to build CDT’s audiences and deliver programmes that will bring life to the organisation’s vision.

Adrian currently splits his time between Ballet Chemnitz (Germany), where he is adviser to the ballet direction, and CDT, where he works alongside its executive director.

Ashley Bromfield has joined CDT as administrative assistant. She comes with experience in a similar role with the Alvin Ailey Extension, as well as adjunct lecturer in ballet at the School of Dance at the EMCVPA. Bromfield is also a soloist with the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica.

In welcoming all three, Colin Blackwood executive director, CDT and The CDT School, said, “I couldn’t be more happy about Adrian and Ashley joining our team. They are bringing with them a level of professionalism and a wealth of knowledge, experience and heart that will undoubtedly bring our organisation to the next level. Steven as the new artistic director of The CDT School is an exhilarating change for our young dancers. He has always been most loved by our students, and brings an energy and a positivity that is unmatched. I am excited about what the future holds for The CDT School and CDT.”