‘Legacy’ the season debut for dance company

Dance aficionados are in for a treat when The Company Dance Theatre (CDT), the legacy company formed to honour Tony Wilson, founder of the Company Dance Theatre in 1988, hosts its inaugural season of dance, ‘Legacy’, this weekend, November 19 and 20, at the Little Theatre.

Alums of CDT will direct the season.

Dr Sade Bully, who, after 12 years of performing and choreographing professionally abroad to critical acclaim, will be making her debut as artistic director.

“CDT was created with the purpose of continuing Mr Wilson’s legacy of bringing dynamic, highly technical, cutting-edge modern dance to the Jamaican stage and beyond. It is only fitting that our first season is named with this intention, as it is our truest commitment and sets the tone of who we are and what we are determined to bring to our audiences both now and in the years to come,” explained Bully, who will also be premiering her second work on the company, ‘’Gamma Gamma’’ (2022).

Renée I McDonald, the company’s associate artistic director and Jamaica’s premier choreographer, will not only be restaging her renowned all-female powerhouse piece, ‘Divulgence’ (2014), but will also be returning to the stage to perform a solo. It is choreographed by international guest artist Nijawwon Matthews (Broadway Dance Center and Joffrey Ballet School, New York City, USA), as well as Tony Wilson’s classic, ‘Calabash!’ (1999). This will be McDonald’s first on-stage performance since 2016.

Colin Blackwood, CDT’s executive director, disclosed that the show would also feature works by other international guest artists such as Lloyd A. Boyd III, world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and MJ The Musical, New York City, USA, ‘On Earth As It Is In Heaven’ (2021); and Hélène Taddai-Lawson of France, ‘So Many Directions…’ (2022).

“Among the legacy pieces to be included in the season are Michael Holgate’s modern folk favourite ‘Creole Blooming’ (2010), and Tony Wilson’s iconic ‘The Journey Continues…’ (2013),” Blackwood added.

“Following a life-saving brain operation, Mr Wilson continues to recover from a severe stroke. As such, proceeds from the season will go towards his continuing care,” a release stated.