AFTER months of preparation, Campion College’s Dance Troupe is now making final preparations for its first season of dance scheduled for this weekend.

The performances will be staged at Campion College’s Lindo Hall Auditorium.

“The dancers have demonstrated that they are ready to take the troupe to the next level,” said artistic director and choreographer Dwight Wright.

“They’re talented, dedicated and committed, and I am confident that we’ll be presenting high-quality performances to the public,” he added.

The season of dance dubbed Campana — the journey continues, is an extension of Campion College’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The title signifies a celebration of the school’s successes over the years, even while the institution seeks to build on those successes and move forward.

A wide variety of dances will be on display during Campana. The dances range from modern contemporary to popular (dancehall) pieces.

The theme dance — The journey continues — will be performed by the Junior A Troupe. This dance depicts the hardship faced by slaves who were taken from the motherland to the New World to work.

There will also be creative folk dances, both Afro-centric and Caribbean folk forms. The popular dance section will demonstrate the transition of Jamaican dancehall music from the days of dancehall veterans Buju Banton and Shabba Ranks to the current up-and-coming dancehall artistes. Several Jazz pieces will also be included.

The organisers note that the highlight of the season is expected to be the dance drama At the Tomb. The timing for this piece is significant as the country will be moving into the Easter season. The dance drama depicts the death of Jesus and His resurrection and promises to be a very spiritual moment.

Last year, the Campion troupe entered seven pieces in the JCDC dance competition, winning gold for five, and silver for the other two. In the national finals, the Troupe copped National Awards for Best Class 4 Praise Dance, Best Class 5 Quartet, along with the National Award for the Best Class 4 group and the Award for The Most Outstanding Teacher in Class 4. There are 60 core dancers, 12 of whom were recently selected to be members of the NDTC Trainee Class.

Artistic Director Dwright Wright is working with Derrick McCarthy as chief external choreographer for Campion College. Guest choreographers have also been invited to mount pieces for the production. They include Marlon Simms — dance captain at NDTC and Lecturer at the Edna Manley School of Dance; Kevin Moore, also a lecturer at Edna Manley; Kerry Ann Henry — NDTC ballet mistress and lecturer at Edna Manley; Stephanie Thomas, Kamar Tucker and Benton Morris, all from the NDTC, are also guest choreographers. Steven Cornwall, member of The Company Dance Theatre is another guest choreographer.