Show Credits
Unmasked: Seaweed King
Choreographed by: Christopher Walker
Performed by: Kevin A. Ormsby
Understudy: Benjamin Russell
Music: Sound design featuring J.S. Bach Goldberg Variations performed on Steel Pan by 4Stickman, Smove by James Gavins, Rouky by Ali Farka Toure – The Source
Costume Design by: Laura Barbata
Mas Concept by: Laura Anderson Barbata and Chris Walker
Mas Character Design by: Laura Anderson Barbata
Original Lighting Design by: Claude Heinz
Adapted Lighting by: Sharon DiGenova
Somebody
Choreographed by: Denise Fujiwara
Performed by: Kevin A. Ormsby
Poetry: And lo I am With You Always Even Unto The End of the World by Ian Williams, used with permission from the poet; B for Breathe by Olive Senior used with permission from the poet; Breathe /. As in… by Rosamond S. King, used with permission from All the Rage (Nightboat Books © 2021)
Music: Sleeping Giant by Ian Kamau; Reggae Instrumental by Morgan Morgan & Stans on the Beat; Heat Leak by Biosphere from their album Shenzhou
Costume Design by: Diane Sobers
Lighting Design by: Sharon DiGenova
Special thank you to Micheal Mortley who was involved in the creative process for previous iterations of Somebody.
Dear Brother
Choreographed by: Joel Valentin-Martinez
Performed by: Kevin A. Ormsby (April 13 & 15)
Performed by: Will Brown, Kevin A. Ormsby, Benjamin Russell, Kevin Shawn (April 14)
Music: Rapper’s Delight by The Sugarhill Gang; Interlude (Stillness) by Carlos Simon; Run The Voodoo Down by Miles Davis; Elegy (A Cry from the Grave) By Carlos Simon; Diamonds by Rihanna
Costume Design by: Diane Sobers
Lighting Design by: Sharon DiGenova
Production Concept Dramaturg: Allison Cummings
Rehearsal Assistant: Cheryl Chan
Stage Manager: Jillia Cato
Presented by Kevin A. Ormsby in association with KasheDance
About the Show
Trilogy of BEing
Featuring works by Christopher Walker, Denise Fujiwara and Joel Valentin-Martinez
Trilogy of BEing… is a creative collaboration between Canadian and American choreographers — all of whom had worked or danced with Ormsby throughout his career. The production is grounded in Black existence and experiences: environmental, social and cultural.
This production is dedicated to the life and contributions to Jamaican dance by Barbara Requa, the first navigator of my dance career at Jamaica School of Dance Youth Program; giving birth to the career I now celebrate. Both Mr. Walker and myself
Unmasked: Seaweed King
Christopher Walker’s Unmasked: Seaweed King depicts a sort of phoenix rising from the refuse / ashes; addressing human impact on the environment told through a character of ancient wisdom linking Afro-Caribbean mas performance traditions. It is a part of The Kula Ring, A Gifting Economy (2016), a transdisciplinary expedition project merging scientific, environmental, and artistic research around ocean conservation and climate change.
Somebody
Somebody by Denise Fujiwara, was inspired by Ormsby’s call to action in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. “I suggested a collaborative creative process that resulted in the solo for him.” Poetry by Giller Prize-winning Canadian author Ian Williams, Poet Laureate of Jamaica 2021-2024, Olive Senior, and Lambda Literary Award winner, American Rosamund S. King shapes the solo rich in contemporary butoh technique.
Dear Brother
Joel Valentin-Martinez, through visual research of images and music of significant Black historical periods (Harlem Renaissance, 1960s -1970s, and the era of 80s hip-hop), crafts the solo, Dear Brother, commenting on how we see contemporary Black and Brown lives in shaping music, fashion and popular culture – Friday’s performance of the piece includes a special presentation with three other dance artists (Will Brown (NYC), Benjamin Russell (Toronto), and Kevin Shawn (Calgary)
Approximate run time is 75 minutes.