Reflection, Celebration and Continuity: NDTC Celebrates Its 55th Anniversary at Easter

Easter is nearly here. A traditional Easter Morning performance by the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) is something that many Jamaicans look forward to. This is a time of light and renewal for many, before summer sets in.

Here is the NDTC’s press release dated April 7, 2017: 

The Easter Sunday sunrise performance of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) in association with The Little Theatre Movement (LTM) returns to the Little Theatre, on April 16 at 6 am.

Planned for this annual act of worship dubbed the Morning of Movement and Music, is a “wide, rich and spiritual offering of theatre arts – dance, song, music and poetry,” according to NDTC’s Artistic Director, Barry Moncrieffe.

He explains that the 36^th renewal of the early morning performance is particularly special, as it is one of several 2017 activities being mounted by the NDTC in celebration of its 55^th Anniversary. The Company of Dancers, Singers, Musicians and Creative Technicians is currently putting final touches on the performance, which is expected to be a little over an hour.

NDTC Singers in performance. (Photo: NDTC)

Debuts

Easter Sunday will see the debut of two new works. Haven, a female trio choreographed by Ballet Mistress Kerry-Ann Henry, will be danced by Ashley Bromfield, Gillian Steele and Rachel Walter. The other is a piece created by Principal Dancer Kevin Moore, who is also responsible for staging the movement of the Singers.

Re-mounted dance works include Of Sympathy and Love, an interpretation of the biblical story of Jesus and Lazarus by acclaimed choreographer, Clive Thompson. It is to be performed by NDTC Principal Dancer, Mark Phinn, and Michael Small. Chris Walker’s Walk with Me, is back by popular demand, and will feature dancer Javal Lewis with the NDTC Singers and Orchestra.

Other audience favourites such as the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah arranged by NDTC Musical Director Ewan Simpson are set to return to the stage. Simpson has also prepared a Congregational Hymn and will lead the Singers and Orchestra throughout the programme in this and other musical items.

Additionally, the full company will perform excerpts from the repertoire of NDTC Co-Founder and late Artistic Director Rex Nettleford. Nettleford’s 1997 epic theatrical piece Tintinabulum as well as the revival section of his final dance work Apocalypse, choreographed in 2009, will be included in the show.

As is customary, the works to be staged on Easter Sunday will enhanced by the talents of the Lighting Director, Rufus McDonald and Stage Manager, Dwayne Brown.

The Company will repeat its Easter Sunday performance as a special Anniversary Service at St. Andrew Scots Kirk in downtown Kingston on Sunday, April 30, starting at 4:30 pm.

Dancers in Marlon Simms’ “In the Son.” (Photo: NDTC)

NDTC AT 55

The NDTC’s 55^th Anniversary is being celebrated under the theme Reflection, Celebration and Continuity.

As part of its annual calendar of events, the NDTC recently completed a Children’s Workshop in Mandeville as well as two successful tours – taking its world famous brand of culture to the Whitman Hall, Brooklyn Centre for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College in New York, and to Cayman on invitation from Kri Performing Arts Company.

Among other planned activities for the Company’s 55^th Anniversary year are its Gala and Annual Season of Dance between July 21 and August 13; a national exhibition at the Institute of Jamaica during the summer; the 5 in 55 Concert Series beginning at St. Andrew Scots Kirk; a Children’s Lecture Demonstration, and a tour to the Eastern Caribbean.

“We are proud to be able to celebrate and share this important milestone with all of Jamaica as the nation, like the NDTC, achieves 55 years of independence, growth and hope for the future,” the Artistic Director declared.

Over the five and a half decades, hundreds of Jamaican artists and professionals have given voluntarily of their time, talent and effort with the NDTC.

Patrons are asked to be seated by 5:45 am on Easter Sunday.

Contact:

Alicia Glasgow Gentles | NDTC Public Relations

Tel: 486-6809 | Email: aliciaglasgow1@gmail.com