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Störling Dance Theater Artistic Director, Mona Störling--Enna is teaming up with choreographer, Tobin James to create a new ballet rooted in the past and propelling us into the future with “Underground”.
Based on true stories from the Underground Railroad, Störling Dance Theater’s production will tell the story of how two women’s lives intersect on the road to freedom and righteousness.
Presented at a time in our country where archaic race tensions are rearing their ugly head, Störling Dance Theater brings a word of hope and redemption through this powerful, innovative new work. A command performance of “Underground will be Friday, February 13, 2009 at 8:00pm at the Music Hall in Kansas City.
The story of “Underground” is a new story based on actual people and events prior to the Civil War. Focused around the character, Victoria, a slave in the south whose degradation has only been exceeded by her desire to be free, we follow her, her companions, and the white abolitionists who stand by her side. Elise, the slave owner’s daughter, has grown up with Victoria and more clearly sees the disparity between valuing whites over blacks. Their relationship launches the tension that propels Victoria onto the Underground Railroad.
Along the way, Victoria encounters the series of white and black abolitionists that mysteriously make up the Underground Railroad. Fired by their Biblical conviction that all men are equal and valued by God, these men and women risk all to overcome the evil of their day. What we find is a blue print for our own era, where evil takes on different forms and we are confronted with how we will respond. Will we bow to the popular appeasement of evil, or will we lay our convictions on the line to push back the darkness?
Mona Störling-Enna comments on the foundations for creating this piece. “We all have the capacity for either good or evil. Everyday affords us the choice to do either. There is no neutral ground. Had all the people on the sidelines against slavery spoken up, instead of just a few, slavery would have been abolished much sooner?” Collaborating with long time friend and choreography Tobin James was a natural.
Having danced and worked together for years, it was long overdue that these consummate professionals work together on a significant project. A black woman and white woman aside, these are two women who see the choices that life brings to them each day. “This is not just black history. It is one of many dark moments in the history of mankind. We have to look back, we have to remember and then prepare ourselves and teach our children to value the life of a person who is different because he too is created by God. Many people want to ask God about the atrocities in the world. What will we say when He asks," What did you do about it?"”.
Having partnered with his wife for many of Storling’s productions like “The Prodigal Daughter”, “Butterfly” and “Suspended Grace”, Jeremiah Enna played the role of instigator for “Underground. “History recalls how evil men have crafted great destruction, and good ones have overcome them. The Underground Railroad is a shining example of how good will always triumph over evil regardless of having a human leader or not. God has set in the hearts of good men and women the value of all of life that resists evil, “ says Jeremiah Enna, Executive Director.
Jeremiah initiated “Underground” in 2000, when he started to see the current debate digressing back to a ‘white vs. black’ tone. “Our current problems are very complex and reversing back to this tone of debate will only divide the very people who need to unite together to solve the evils of our era. It’s about good and evil, not skin tone.’ His inspiration continued as national leaders like Bill Cosby and Juan Williams began to speak a new word of hope into our disintegrating situation.
A power team of artists and producers have been assembled to pull this very complex project together. With Mona Störling-Enna at the helm, composer Jay Pfeifer has been commissioned to write a score that intelligently and inspirationally binds the sounds of the various cultures together to project one story.
Pfeifer considers the style of music created specifically for Storling-Enna’s latest work “Sacred Ordinary” bringing classical musical influences together with folk and organic human sounds of whispering, percussion, and vocals.
Tobin James brings her fresh approach to choreography having graduated from the Martha Graham School of Dance in New York, danced with Philadanco, and choreographed for national tours of gospel concerts.
Jeremiah Enna will head the design team with Robert Bowen assisting on lights and Mona Störling-Enna on sets. As always Mona Störling-Enna will create the costume designs she has become famous for.
Executive Producer, Kipton Blue, will reside over the music production as well as team up with Damon & Bridget Taylor for public relations. “In this modern age it is disheartening to see so many injustices continuing all around us. It is encouraging to look back at these inspiring stories of how individuals can make a difference and change history. Underground will truly inspire all of us to not only learn from the past but actively participate in the future.”
A command performance of “Underground will Friday, February 13, 2009 at 8:00 pm at the Music Hall, 301 W 13th St, Kansas City MO 64105 Tickets are $50, $30, $20 and are available by calling 913-393-3141.
Launched in 1996, the Störling Dance Theater is Kansas City’s emerging neo-classical dance company. In addition to its local performances, the group has toured the States, Canada and Central Asia. Storling Dance Theater is in residence at The Culture House, one of Kansas City’s premiere arts centers located in Olathe, KS.
For information or to set up an interview, call Jeremiah Enna at The Culture House at 913-393-3141 or online at www.culturehouse.com .
