THE National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) is currently sharpening its skills to present its 53rd anniversary season of dance from July 24 – August 16.

Artistic director for the troupe Barry Moncrieffe notes that this year’s presentation could be the most exciting in the history of the NDTC.

“This has to be our most exciting season. We will be premiering a number of new works from a range of choreographers. It is this mix which creates that excitement surrounding the season. Among the choreographers contributing to this year’s season are Renee McDonald, Marlon Simms [and] Shelly Ann Maxwell. The styles are all so different and each choreographer requires something different of the dancers that the whole package is a treat to watch,” explains Moncrieffe.

The new works will be bolstered by remounts from the NDTC repertoire, including Christopher Walker’s Rough Drafts and Rex Nettleford’s Drumscore. The staples — Kumina and Gerrehbenta will remain on the programme.

A founding member of the company, Moncrieffe notes that there will always be Nettleford work in the NDTC active repertoire as long as he helms the dance company.

“Not under my rule… We always need Rex. His pieces such as Kumina speak to who we are. We can’t all be modern and high legs; we have to showcase our culture as a people, and his works showcase that proud side of us as a people.”

In addition to the dancers, Moncrieffe also states that the NDTC Singers also have prepared a new suite of songs, which adds another dimension to this season of performances.