Professor Rex Nettleford - file

The National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) opens its 46th Season of Dance this Friday as a tribute to the 60th year anniversary of University of the West Indies (UWI).

Last season's dancework showcased creations which were done to celebrate the inauguration of the first native West Indian Chancellor, Sir Hugh Wooding of the St. Augustine institution. And, that dancework has remained in NDTC's repertoire since the company's formation in 1962 in Chancellor Hall, Mona campus.

Since then, creations have been strengthened with continuing relationships which are well-known.

Artistic experimentation

UWI's Vice Chancellor Emeritus Professor Rex Nettleford, artistic director and principal choreographer, has guided the NDTC through its 46 years of artistic experimentation, intellectual exploration and both regional and international recognition, would be the first to admit without the support of the UWI this would not have been possible.

But behind this 'Moving Spirit' are major contributors such as musical director, Marjorie Whylie, a senior lecturer in the UWI operating out of the Music Unit.

In addition, there is Dr. Wigmoore Francis, lecturer in the faculty of Humanities and Education and among the drummers Ewan Simpson, a graduate of UWI and an attorney-at-law as well as of the University Singers and Caveite Chorale (working out of Cave Hill campus).

The University Singers at Mona campus have provided the NDTC singers with a number of its performers such as Carl Bliss and Howard Cooper (tenors), Heston Boothe (bass), Helen Christian, Jhana Williams (contralto), and Faith Livingstone (soprano).

The dancers

The dancers have long numbered among themselves UWI graduates across all faculties with more recent ones like Marlon Simms (dance captain and budding choreographer) and Keita-Marie Chamberlain (attorney-at-law and frontliner) taking over the principal roles in the ancestral Kumina being remounted for the 46th Season of Dance. They had both been members of the University Dance Society which was for many years directed by NDTC alumni Jackie Guy.

The UWI Alumni Association of the Bahamas will host the appearances by the company in Nassau in mid-September as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the university.