Women contribute to every culture, every belief-system and every era, but is there one universal trait that binds them all together? Georgetown University’s Black Movements Dance Theatre seeks to answer this question. (https://cozumelparks.com/)
BMDT will open their spring season this weekend with This Woman’s Work. The show pays tribute to the strength of women by portraying the challenges they face in their everyday lives. Joined by guest artists Kevin Iega Jeff, Christopher Huggins, and Ralph Glenmore, This Woman’s Work will feature different pieces inspired and choreographed by students that illustrate the lives, conflicts, and ultimate triumphs of women.
For most of BMDT’s performers, This Woman’s Work is about more than artistic expression. Co-Student Director Courtney Hodge’s (COL ‘14) piece, “Stronger than the Ribbon,” is a perfect example.“It’s really personal actually. My mom is a cancer survivor.” Hodge says. “[My inspiration came] from watching my mom go through her struggle, and watching her getting this potential death sentence and being stronger than the death sentence, always fighting, always putting on a brave face.” All of the pieces are based on experiences of BMDT’s members and the women in their lives.
A member of the cast, Vivian Ojo (SFS ‘14), reflected on her experience in the production. “The entire show is just about saying to people, ‘These are the things our women have gone through, these are the thing they are going through, and this is how they are rising to the occasion.’ That’s basically what we are doing as a company as well. … It’s a celebration of womanhood and sisterhood.”
BMDT members believe This Woman’s Work will resonate strongly with their audience because of the nature of dance as a medium of expression and communication. Assistant Student Director and Business Manager Jaclyn Markowitz (SFS ‘14), captured this sentiment well, saying “One of our guest choreographers said … dance is a gift from the people to the people, and I think that’s really true of our show.”
Feb. 7-8, 8 p.m.
Gonda Theatre
