New works for 2011 season of Stella Maris Dance Ensemble

The 18th Season of the Stella Maris Dance Ensemble (SMDE) opens at Little Theatre on Friday, November 25, at 8 p.m., and will run for that weekend only, with the other performances set for Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. The season will be presented under the patronage of Wayne Chen.

A special performance for children of homes of safety in Kingston and St Andrew will be held on Thursday, November 24, at the Little Theatre, sponsored by Reggae Jammin.

The staging of the 2011 season follows a successful tour of the Cayman Islands, where the dancers performed to sold-out audiences at four performances, with a request for the ensemble to return in 2012.

Seven exciting works

The 18th Season of the Stella Maris Dance Ensemble will feature seven exciting works, including three new works - 'Selah', choreographed by Dr MoniKa Lawrence; 'Transition' by Tokie Gonzales from Cuba; and 'Treasures', sponsored by Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) and choreographed by Patsy Ricketts and Dr Lawrence.

'Treasures' - to be premiered during the 2011 season - will combine multimedia and dance to portray a comedy, featuring André Hines as the lead dancer. 'Selah' - 'everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die' - is a powerful religious dance which was first presented by the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), led by Professor Rex Nettleford, in 1997 and has been reworked and choreographed for the Stella Maris Dance Ensemble for the 2011 season by Dr Lawrence, the ensemble's artistic director.

The other works which will be on show over the weekend will include favourites as 'Supernova' and 'Potter', sponsored by JNBS. In fact, 'Potter' - choreographed by Ricketts and Dr Lawrence - was considered the best tribute for 2010 to the late Professor Rex Nettleford, one of the island's cultural icons. Gavin Hart will dance the role of Professor Nettleford, having received rave reviews last year when the work premiered.

Patrons can look forward to seeing other popular dances such as 'Baka Beyond' (1997) by Lawrence and 'Coriente Negra/Black Current' (2006) by Gonzales on stage for the upcoming season.

Leading role

Dancers in leading roles will include founding members Dr Monique Spence, Tiffany Martin and Wendi Hoo Fatt, along with principals Roxanne Cornieffe, Shanice Yee Sing, Maschel Bailey, Gavin Hart, André Hinds, Baheerah Millwood, Tamaria Reid, Duran and Ricardo Burgess.

In addition, new recruits from the Junior Group of SMDE who have been promoted to perform this season are Laura-Kay McFarlane, Kedisha McLaughlin, Sasha-gay Hart and Fredrick Houston.

Patrons can expect to see spectacular costumes designed by Denise Francis Robinson, a past member of the NDTC, who has been the main designer for the ensemble since the group's inception 18 years ago.

She will be assisted by daughter Atira Robinson, who is a member of the SMDE and accomplished artist. Costume coordinator/dancer is Alvan Small, while stage manager is Joan Belfon. Choreographers are Dr Lawrence, Patsy Ricketts - who is also serving as ballet mistress, and Tokie Gonzales, ballet master, with Deroi Rose assisting. The production team comprises Audrey Mantock, Carol Young and Yvonne McLean.

Sponsors for the 2011 season are Reggae Jammin, JNBS, The Gleaner, CVM, Permanent Cosmetics, SuperPlus Food Stores, Juici Patties, Patsy Lyn Caterers, Wray & Nephew and the Wisynco Group.

Meanwhile, the SMDE is also looking forward to participating in its fifth tour of Dallas, Texas, when members will perform at the Black Arts Academy in 2012. They will present their signature work 'Liza', which is regarded as a classic and has been compared to dances such as 'Revelations' by Alvin Ailey and 'Kumina' by Professor Rex Nettleford. This signature work has been performed in Spain, Japan, Mexico, the Caribbean and the United States to standing ovations.