The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is bringing a powerful exploration of Black heritage and identity to the stage with Beige: An Afro Ballet, an interdisciplinary collaboration by graduate students Jonathan Clarke Sypert and Marcus Moore. The performance, which features an all-black cast of 14 dancers, will debut during Black History Month at the MFA/BFA Dance Concert: Introspection, held in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre from January 29 through February 2.
The performance, which represents a milestone as one of the first known productions of its kind at UH Mānoa, marks the culmination of Sypert’s master of fine arts (MFA) in dance choreography and Moore’s master of music in composition. Beige blends modern dance with Moore’s orchestral score, which draws inspiration from Black diasporic music.
“I grew up in a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) family in Hawaiʻi and my mother taught me how to be a storyteller through music, poetry and dance,” Sypert said. &ldquoI resisted that education at first but after learning to accept and share what I’ve been gifted over time, I found that my positionality comes with a deep kuleana (responsibility) to celebrate knowledge transfer between generations. My choreography is my embodied gratitude for my ancestors and my call to the audience to celebrate their own stories, so those stories will live on.&rdquo
Anansi the Trickster
Sypert’s piece begins with a disruption in the transfer of cultural traditions between generations. A child and an elder embark on a journey to bridge this gap, guided by Anansi the Trickster, a figure from Black folklore. Anansi challenges iconic characters from Black folktales to help the child reconnect with their heritage through a blend of storytelling, competition and vibrant movement.
“During my formative years, my family and friends would use music for dancing, telling stories, connecting, working and healing,” Moore explained. “For Beige: An Afro Ballet, I wanted to explore the sounds I grew up listening to and create a space where Afro-dance could be expressed in a traditional ballet format. This ballet is a reflection of the love I have for the vastness and beauty of Afro-cultures that I grew up experiencing.”
Audiences will have another chance to experience Beige at a public film presentation on March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Orvis Auditorium.
Vibrant showcase
In addition to Beige, the concert will showcase a vibrant array of performances, including Tongan, contemporary, hip-hop and jazz styles. These works represent original choreography by graduating MFA and Bachelor of Fine Arts or BFA students.
Ticket information
Tickets are available for $8–$18. Performances will run Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., with a post-show Q&A on January 31. More on tickets at the Kennedy Theatre website or contact the box office at ktbox@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-7655.
