Stella Maris Dance Ensemble celebrates 31 years of excellence

Dance, culture, and community come together as the Stella Maris Dance Ensemble (SMDE) marks 31 years of artistic excellence on November 2 and 3 at the Little Theatre in Kingston.

As has happened since 2014, the Stella Maris Dance Ensemble will host approximately 500 children from homes of safety and inner-city communities throughout the Corporate Area to attend the show free of cost on Friday, November 1, at the Little Theatre.

Under the artistic direction of Dr MoniKa Lawrence and Associate Director Wendi Hoo Fatt, the 2024 season of dance will present a diverse and compelling repertoire with featured works by renowned choreographers from Jamaica and abroad. Audiences can look forward to performances by legendary choreographers such as Jamaican icon Rex Nettleford, Abeldo Gonzalez from Cuba, Dr Kemal Nance from the USA, and Renee McDonald of Jamaica, alongside the SMDE’s own celebrated productions.

The 2024 season will explore such themes as environmental preservation, the relationship between man and his environment, honouring the internationally acclaimed artiste Jimmy Cliff, and interpersonal relationships between genders. The SMDE will also delve into the displacement of African ancestors to the Caribbean and the emergence of a Creole society in Silent Whispers.

One of the highlights of the season will be the classic work Selah – Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die, choreographed by Dr Lawrence. This will bring together singers and dancers in a celebration of entering the Holy City in all its majesty and the goodness of God. Special guest artiste will be Dawn Fuller-Phillips, former soloist with the NDTC Singers.

The Stella Maris Dance Ensemble will also pay tribute in a Jamaican dance to the late Tony Wilson, a choreographer and instructor with the ensemble from its inception. His contribution to the dance landscape has been invaluable.

For the third consecutive year, the SMDE will host international collaborations, featuring the UCCI Dance Company from the Cayman Islands, further elevating the calibre of this extraordinary event.

“We are excited to present a season that celebrates not only the art of dance, but the powerful stories of our past and the hopes for our future. This anniversary season reflects our dedication to artistic excellence and community outreach,” said Dr Lawrence

The Stella Maris Dance Ensemble continues to receive widespread acclaim for its artistic contributions to Jamaica’s cultural landscape and its commitment to inspiring future generations of performers.