A too-long power outage set me back several days, so I regret only now being able to take note of a particularly lovely and gracious production from a few weeks ago. It covered a large subject, so it has a big title: A Tribute to the Influences of Katherine Dunham: Dancer, Choreographer, Anthropologist, Humanitarian, & Social Activist.  For Dunham was all that. She is one of the major figures in the arts in the St. Louis area, up there with Mark Twain and  T.S. Eliot, if not as well known.

This evening was written, directed, and choreographed by Vivian Anderson Watt, a student of Dunham’s and a major transmitter of her work, especially in dance. 

The first part of the piece was biographical, with Hatsephi Kushma as Older Dunham, telling her story,  with video assist. Venezia Manuel as Young Dunham acted out some of the story, joined by Glynis Brooks, Michelle Dillard, Mason Brown, and Sequio. The particularly charming young dancers, as students of Dunham, showed us the dance she taught them: Alonnah Freeman, Khira Freeman, Adia Page, Jayla Gordan-Spraggins, Korra Watt, and Janiyah Woods, with Venezia Manuel moving splendidly as the Principal Dancer. 

The life story told, Anderson-Watt’s tribute then moved to those shaped by Dunham who have in turn shaped the arts in this area. Called Elders and portrayed by Jamila Afi, Karl Clark, Andrea Smythe, Anne Walker, and Anderson-Watt, they spoke of Ralph and Bonnie Greene, Eugene Redmond, Wyvette Younge, Archie Savage, Theodore Jamison, Norman Davis, and many others. It is quite an honor roll.

Percussionists Solomon Ahmed and Corrin Ward accompanied dancing and singing.  Kathleen Gamble was the Stage Manager, Seriah Watt her assistant, Thomasina Clarke the Video Media Specialist, Edwin Grider the Videographer, Kunama Mtendaji the Rhythm Consultant, Jack Williams the PATC/KDCPA Archivist, Robyn Greenlee the Light Operatoor and Wendell Harrington the Sound operator. The Costumes and Props were assembled by the Company. Fannie Belle Lebby was the Producing Director for A Call to Conscience Interactive Theater for Social Change.

The performances took place in the handsome Prince of Peace Church, well suited to the staging.

This was a beautifully done and much needed tribute to Katherine Dunham. Its run was brief; perhaps it can be revived?

—Bob Wilcox