Tue | May 19, 2026

NDTC opens 49th season Friday

Published:Sunday | July 17, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Pause
Members of the National Dance Theatre Company dance group give a spirited performance as they rehearse for their season of dance to commence on Friday, July 22.
NDTC's dancers perform at the The Jamaica Dance Umbrella 2009 Showcase. - Contributed
1
2

The 49th Season of Dance of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) will open at the Little Theatre on Tom Redcam Drive in Kingston, on Friday.

NDTC's artistic director, Barry Moncrieffe, has advised that performances will be on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. for five weekends until Sunday, August 22.

As in former years, both new as well as remounted dance works will be presented, and the NDTC singers, under the direction of musical director Marjorie Whylie, will perform two suites of Caribbean songs, Three Songs from Slim and Sam, popular Jamaican minstrels of the mid 20th century, and A Tribute to Coxson.

The singers will also present an African suite of songs from central Africa and its west coastal states, in recognition of the United Nations proclamation of 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent.

NDTC's new generation choreographers have added five new pieces to the Company's repertoire.

"Natalie Chung will make her debut as a choreographer for the NDTC with The Thin Line. A full Company dance, led by dancers Tamara Noel and Allatunje Connell, and Neila Ebanks has mounted For a Splintered Soul, a trio for male dancers, featuring Kevin Moore, Patrick Earle and Paul Newman," Moncrieffe said.

Premiered

Other new generation choreographers whose works will be represented include ballet mistress Kerry-Ann Henry, Oniel Pryce, Stefanie Thomas and Christina Gonzalez.

Thomas' Rebel Woman, as well as Gonzalez' creation, Far From Heaven, were premiered at the NDTC's Young Choreographers' Concert held at the Company's studio in December of last year.

The artistic director also revealed that the Season of Dance will feature works produced by the Company's late co-founder, artistic director and moving spirit, Professor the Hon Rex Nettleford. Blood Canticles (1996), Gerrehbenta (1983) and Drumscore (1979) with Caribbean rhythms and melodies arranged by Marjorie Whylie.

Ancestral Images by established resident choreographer Clive Thompson, Cry of the Spirit from Gene Carson, and Freedom choreographed by MoniKa Lawrence and coached by Patsy Ricketts, complete this year's active repertoire.