Abstract, described by its choreographer Candice Clarke as “an artistic freedom,” was a unique and awesome production when staged last month end at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (Sapa). Clarke is currently in Los Angeles with her daughter Chelsea Andell who entered a competition to audition before a dozen talent agents for the Hollywood’s Next Star contest. Chelsea was voted Best Dancer in the competition and she and Clarke are currently meeting with agents who are interested in signing and representing her.
Speaking from Los Angeles about her Abstract production, director/producer/choreographer of the Candice Clarke Academy of Dance, Clarke said: “Abstract represented many viewpoints, not ‘pinning’ a choreograph to a label but allowing the choreograph and the dancer to merge, leaving the patrons with an unforgettable experience, which was expressed by many. What was unique about this production was that Ms Clarke were able to capture the unique qualities and strengths of each dancer. For us dance is a work of art that is non-objective exploring emotions, sounds, or experiences with no specific detail; Abstract dance art allows us to be free to express our personality.”
With guest performances by Cherisse Ealie, Akeem Ayres, Melissa Mc Allister, Kervaughn Harry and Cindy Douglin, the principal dancers of Abstract included Chelsea Andell, Cindy Thomas, Addisha Fields, Nicole Whiteman, Havanna Nurse, Talise Parris, Nakayla Gibson and Clarke.
While all the performances were described as “spectacular,” there were some that displayed the ‘out of the box’ creativity of Clarke as an artistic director and choreographer. Stand out pieces included Water, which featured soloist Ariana Thomas using cloth to artistically interpret the movement of water; Elements, another solo item, performed by Nicole Whiteman with the use of powder to create a captivating performance; and, the solo of A Perfect Picture by Chelsea Andell. Clarke described Andell’s performance as a “jaw-dropping performance; a first-time aerialist performance at a dance production in Trinidad.”
Not afraid to push the envelope with her choreography and productions, Clarke and her Academy continue to be trendsetters in dance, a claim supported by the ensemble’s performance of Hallelujah which demonstrated praise for the blessing that holds this Academy together.
Twinned to the Academy is Creole, a dance ensemble that is another of Clarke’s creations. About Creola she said: “Creola is my new dance genre. It’s our brand of dance; and eclectic blend of various dance styles and techniques with a Caribbean flair. It’s done with the use of big skirts.
“It shouldn’t be mistaken as a Bele form as it is using various dance styles with the use of the skirt. The skirt is what gives it the Caribbean feel. So, I have had dancers on pointe and tap shoes, wearing the skirt to give the dance that Creola feel.”
One can only hope that after astounding her southern audience Clarke will bring Abstract to the north soon.