Campion College Dance Society recently offered up another remarkable production: SURGE: The Power to Rise.

This, its 16th season of dance, captivated audiences over three unforgettable performances at the Little Theatre from July 10 to 12.

The season opened with one of the society’s most cherished traditions — welcoming 435 children, caregivers, and staff from children’s homes and State care facilities across Jamaica to a special matinee performance — reaffirming the society’s commitment to ensuring that the performing arts remain accessible to every child.

Di Yaad Alive by Shavaughn Byndloss.

“Campion College Dance Society is known for its tradition of excellence and its unwavering investment in the development of young talent. Supporting the society’s 16th season of dance was therefore fully aligned with the mandate of the Office of the Children’s Advocate,” shared Diahann Gordon Harrison, children’s advocate of Jamaica and national rapporteur on trafficking in persons.

The remaining performances attracted hundreds of patrons who were treated to what could only be described as a mesmerising display of storytelling and theatrical excellence.

With striking costumes, exceptional production quality and choreography by some of Jamaica’s finest creative minds, SURGE delivered an experience that held audiences spellbound from the opening curtain to the final bow.

Lux Vitalis by Kareen McLean.

The production featured choreography by Dwright Wright, Mattu Perry, Shavaughn Byndloss, Oraine Frater, Orville McFarlane, Renée McDonald, Kareen McLean, Andrew Bailey, and Derrick McCarthy, with 18 of the production’s 22 works making their world première.

Among the most talked-about pieces was
The Aftermath, a moving tribute to the resilience of the Jamaican people following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The emotionally charged work took audiences on a powerful journey through loss, hope, and recovery before culminating in an uplifting finale to the timeless anthem, I Can See Clearly Now, symbolising the country’s determination to rebuild and move forward.

Another standout was Tribalites (2014), while Soul Ties, choreographed by Orville McFarlane, left audiences captivated as members of the Senior Troupe performed the entire work with their hands bound, creating a powerful visual metaphor that showcased both technical precision and emotional depth.

Campion Dance Society intermediate dancer Kaelah McKoy in Dwright Wright’s Fragmented.

One of the defining strengths of SURGE was the depth of talent displayed across the society’s three performing divisions.

The Campion Dance Academy, representing the society’s youngest dancers, impressed with enthusiasm, while the Senior Troupe delivered polished performances worthy of any professional stage. The Intermediate Troupe, however, emerged as one of the biggest revelations of the season, producing some of the strongest performances of the weekend, including Kareen McLean’s beautifully crafted Lux Vitalis, which drew sustained applause from audiences.

Artistic Director Dwright Wright said the production reflected months of dedication and the shared vision of an outstanding creative team.

Tribalites.

“SURGE was about more than presenting dance. It was about telling our stories, celebrating resilience and creating opportunities for young people to discover the power of the performing arts. Watching our dancers rise to the challenge, embrace new choreography, and connect so deeply with the audience reminds us why we continue to invest in the next generation of Jamaican artists.”

“I am most impressed, and I really and truly am inspired. Jamaica’s dance companies look good because you are the future,” shared Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia Grange, who met with the dancers and artistic team following the performance.

Campion College Dance Society continues to cement its reputation as one of Jamaica’s premier youth dance ensembles, nurturing young talent while consistently producing performances that rival professional companies.