New 'Dancical' Tackles Tough Social Justice Issues

COLLEGE PARK - Why do we continue to end up in the same situations, generation after generation? This November, Maryland-based theater company ArtsCentric will team up with Explicit Dance Works to confront this question and many others in Snapshots, a dancical (just like a musical but all dance). Snapshots is a gripping tale of a young man whose untimely death mirrors that of so many, and sparks a socio-political movement. Snapshots examines the gaps between the community we were, the community we are, and the community we strive to become. Performances will take place in Adele H. Stamp Student Union - Hoff Theater at University of Maryland - College Park (1021A Union Lane College Park, MD 20742) on Saturday, November 7th @ 7:30pm, and Sunday, November 8th @ 3:00pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are $17.50 in advance, $22 at the door, and may be purchased online at www.ArtsCentric.net, www.ExplicitDanceWorks.com, or by calling (301) 760-0069.

Damon Sims, the lead character in Snapshots, is an intelligent young boy who sees the world through his camera lens. Damon is at his senior prom when he is unjustly killed by law enforcement officers. In this story a family loses their only son. The community loses another young life and, as a result, they refuse to stay silent any longer. Snapshots brings past and present together, holding a mirror to cyclical trends of frivolous violence. In Snapshots, the stories of Eric Garner and Emmett Till meet, and issues of the Civil Rights Movement are compared to recent uprisings in Ferguson and Baltimore. Snapshots uses dance, multimedia, and live musical performances to examine these national events. This artistic work is a response piece to the overwhelming death toll of African-American men at the hands of U.S. and state law enforcement officers.

Choreographer Shalyce Hemby describes her vision and approach to Snapshots as “humanistic in its nature.” The choreography is interwoven throughout the piece with several different genres of dance. Hemby says, “Tap, symbolizes the structure and rigidness of ‘academia,’ while Hip-Hop is used as an expression of the younger generation. Each musical number is envisioned through the lens of movement. No artist or selection is the same, but each artist and selection is essential to the story.”

While dance is the primary medium through which the story comes alive, the live musical element adds tremendous entertainment value. From nuanced classical, gospel and jazz numbers, to show-stopping new-age, grunge, and hip-hop selections, Snapshots leaves no rock unturned. This is no accident, according to director Kevin S. McAllister. “The younger generation doesn’t respond well to being lectured. Our ultimate goal is to find a way to reach them through entertainment; as well as reaching back into our past to find a way for every generation to connect to this story,” says McAllister. “I hope this piece is a call to action. I want people to walk away feeling that there’s work to be done. It’s not enough to be aware of the problems. Are we part of the solution? I hope each audience member will be able to find themselves in this story and take a snapshot. After examining that snapshot, then determine if the image reflects the person you actually want to be.”

Founded by twelve aspiring young artists in 2003, ArtsCentric is an organization designed to bring quality artistic works and creative services to the community at large. Its members consist of talented artists, musicians, educators, composers, and playwrights.

For more information about Snapshots, or to schedule an interview please contact Sequina DuBose at (410) 241-9492 or email sequinadubose@gmail.com