By Rashod Ollison
The Virginian-Pilot
The right words escape Virginia Johnson.
The artistic director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem struggles to describe the depth and spectacle of the ensemble's new production, playing tonight at the L. Douglas Wilder Center in Norfolk as part of the Virginia Arts Festival.
"When I'm watching these young people, I am astounded how it communicates a message without words," Johnson said during a phone call from New York City. "That's one of the things about dancing: It is an understanding, a connection to the human experience that's very unique."
After a three-year hiatus due to financial issues, the ensemble, the most visible component of the company, has been reformed. Johnson, who became artistic director last year, said the dancers were chosen from the company's school.
"We're very excited about the level of work they do and the potential that they have to be the nucleus of our reborn Dance Theatre of Harlem Company," Johnson said.
Tonight, the 12 dancers, ranging in age from 18 to 24, will perform neoclassical styles to the vintage soul of James Brown and Aretha Franklin.
"There's a whole spectrum of ideas in one work," Johnson said. "That has always been true with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and will always be true."
The vision of the company, which was founded by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook in 1969, now reflects more nuanced images of blackness. Newly commissioned works encompassing spoken word and a variety of music will push that vision forward, Johnson said.
"We're starting to look at the African American experience as how it contributed to America's greatness, that we are not on the side but part of the mainstream," said the Washington, D.C., native, who started as a dancer with the company the year it opened. "There's a tremendous negative perception of African Americans in some people's minds. It's important to bring forward messages and images of African Americans that go beyond being impoverished."
Newly commissioned pieces will premiere in the 2012-13 season. In the meantime, tonight's production adds rich dimension to this year's Virginia Arts Festival, said VAF Director Rob Cross.
Since the ensemble's last performance in the area in 2002, "we've had requests from the community to bring back Dance Theatre of Harlem," he said. "Now that they are touring with the ensemble, we are very excited to be presenting this iconic American company in partnership with Norfolk State University."
In addition to tonight's performance, the company will do several educational outreach programs in the area, including a student matinee at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in Newport News. They will also participate in a symposium Friday morning at Norfolk State.
Part of the mission of the revitalized DTH is to make the art of dance more accessible, Johnson said.
"It's about using the art form of ballet to communicate real, human, relatable experiences," she said. "Now that we're in the 21st century, we're in a very different world from 1969."
Today, just about anything is accessible via the Internet, including rehearsals at the New York City school. On Thursdays, the company invites the public to sit in and watch how it all comes together.
"We take apart the dancing and show how it works and open a dialogue," Johnson said. "It's simple and difficult at the same time, these different styles of movement. We show how to take someone's idea and make your body do it."
Whether in rehearsals or in performance, the ultimate goal of the Dance Theatre of Harlem is to connect with people and demystify the demanding world of dance.
"We're venturing beyond the traditional curtain goes up, some people dance, you clap and the curtain goes down," Johnson said. "We're trying to connect to our audience. We love sharing what we believe in with other people."
Rashod Ollison, (757) 446-2732,
rashod.ollison@pilotonline.com
Check out Rashod's blog at www.hamptonroads.com/behindthegroove
CAPTION(S):
Rachel Neville
The performers in the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble range in age from 18 to 24 and were chosen from the famed company's school.
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