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The National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica (NDTC) will present the 44th staging of ‘Morning of Movement and Music’ on Easter Sunday, April 20, at the Little Theatre. The performance ushers in the sacredness of Easter morning with a stirring and symbolic act of worship. Directed by artistic director Marlon D. Simms and musical director Dr Kathy Brown, the sunrise event promises a seamless fusion of dance, music, and spoken word, invoking reverence, renewal, and a celebration of the spirit.
The programme opens with a majestic hymn, choreographed by Simms and performed by the full complement of NDTC dancers, singers, and musicians, setting the tone for a morning steeped in sacred ritual. A highlight of the performance will be Haven (2016), choreographed by ballet mistress Kerry-Ann Henry. Set to the music of Native American composers Nakai, Kater, and Fire Crow, the work will be danced by Jahmelia Daley, Arielle Johnson, and Amaya Gomes, accompanied by live vocals from Music Captain Conrod Hall and soprano Shanell Hopkins.
The Company will revisit Ritual of the Sunrise (1996), choreographed by the late Professor Rex Nettleford, a work that remains emblematic of the NDTC’s ethos. The sense of introspection and reverence continues through the spoken word, delivered this year by acclaimed actress and cultural voice Dahlia Harris. Among the new offerings is Panim el Panim, a stirring work by Dance Captain Paul Newman.
DIVINE HONESTY
The piece, built around the theme of divine honesty, and human vulnerability, features a male soloist, with ensemble performances from Mark Phinn, Phillip Earle, Tajay Henry, Matthew Richards, Damario Gutzmer, Shavaughn Byndloss and Damany Hughes.
Text by Phillip Earle is brought to life through the recorded voice of Michael Holgate, set against a soundscape that includes Zacardi Cortez’s Lord Do It For Me.
Mattu Perry’s Clipped and Fallen (2025), a two-part exploration of loss and redemption, is poised to enchant with its arresting use of movement and sound. Featuring dancers Mishka Williams, Shadé Thaxter, Naala Nesbeth, Amaris White, Arielle Johnson, Jahmelia Daley, Jordanne Newell, Kayla Wright, Rebeka-Ann Fray-Campbell, Soleil Williams, Kameron Buchanan, Nyla Elliott, Tajay Henry, Damario Gutzmer and Shavaughn Byndloss, the work moves between moments of fragile introspection and fierce collective strength.
Other works in the morning’s programme include two works by ballet mistress Kerry-Ann Henry Melting Point (2016) and Haven. She partners with Paul Newman for Melting Point and Amaya Gomes, Arielle Johnson and Jahmelia Daley dance to the live vocals of music captain Conrod Hall and Shanell Hopkins.
The artistic director will present the full company of dancers in In the Son (2017) with principal dancer Marisa Benain. The concert will also feature the moving congregational hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, followed by a range of musical offerings by the NDTC Singers, including Ride On King Jesus performed by soprano Faith Livingstone and You Made a Way by Travis Greene, arranged by Dr. Kathy Brown, with soloist Joshua Page.
The vocal ensemble includes sopranos Faith Livingstone, Carolyn Reid-Cameron, and Shanell Hopkins; contraltos Kamala Nicholson Johnson, Debrah-Ann Rosewelt-Miller, and Charis Cayetano; tenors Kemar Lee, Kevan Williams, Shane Wright, and Andrew Laidley; and basses Heston Boothe and Conrod Hall.
The programme will close with Psalm 150, choreographed by Professor Rex Nettleford to music by Noel Dexter, bringing together dancers, singers, and musicians in a jubilant and powerful finale that affirms the spirit of praise.
English (US) ·