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Them & Us
July 12, 2024 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
$8 – $45
A DARING THEATRICAL PREMIERE UTILIZES SONG, DANCE, AND SPOKEN WORD TO ASK: AM I A BYPRODUCT OF SOCIETAL PROPAGANDA OR AM I A FREE THINKER?
International dancer and choreographer, Randolph Ward, creates an explosive theatrical evening of dance using a multi-disciplined and diverse cast of performers. Them & Us is presented in partnership with the Fantasy Theater Factory with support from the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs and features the world premiere of Dystopia with two original works: The Big Dig and Code Switch.
Dystopia depicts an apocalyptic world where five societal members are stripped of their personal unique identifying life stories. Using newly created monologues, live soulful singing, and futuristic sounds accompanied by dynamic group dances that simulate the behavioral patterns of ants. Their past, present, and future are erased as Lady X appears ominously laughing and declares, “Individuality is no more”.
The dynamic dance theater solo The Big Dig poetically dramatizes the psychological effects of an intimate relationship with fear. A theatrical dance adaptation of the poem B R O K E N written by Randolph Ward and danced by Brazilian born artist Natanael Leal. The words “I keep trying to establish a sense of retirement so I can reconstruct my mind back to the possibility of reconciliation and rejuvenation”, are lyrically recited by actress Vanya Allen.
The celebratory work Code Switch salutes how Black Americans have used dance and rhythm throughout history as a way of survival while creating new and exciting possibilities. Hip-hop, African, vogue dance styles, and samba dance styles, infused with nuances of capoeira and HBCU band culture (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) are cultural movements used to communicate dance as a vehicle of identity construction.
The performance runs 2 hours and is followed by a brief Q&A with Choreographer and Cast.
This show is made possible with support from the Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs , Fantasy Theater Factory Theater, Capital Arts Partnership Program, Sandrell Rivers Theater, National Endowment for the Arts, Armour Dance Theater, Ricky Danco School of Dance, and Noted by Save LLC.
