NDTC’s Morning of Movement and Music returns for 45th staging

At dawn on Easter Sunday, the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) will once again transform the Little Theatre into a space for reflection and renewal with its 45th staging of Morning of Movement and Music. The annual sunrise production will begin at 6 a.m., with patrons encouraged to be seated by 5:45 a.m.

Widely regarded as one of the most moving Easter experiences in Jamaica’s cultural calendar, the production blends dance, live music, and spoken word into a seamless act of worship. This year’s staging introduces a number of new works that reflect both continuity and evolution within the company. Among them is ‘Threads of Becoming’, choreographed by Dance Captain Paul Newman, featuring a dynamic cohort of newer NDTC dancers: Jahmelia Daley, Amaris White, Nyla Elliott, Danitra Jones-Rhule, Jordanne Newell, and Suri Neill.

Artistic Director Marlon D. Simms presents ‘Joined by Faith’, a duet danced by Shadé Thaxter and Amaya Gomes, alongside newly choreographed works set to Praise to the Lord the Almighty and the spiritual Were You There, performed by Tamara Noel, Marisa Benin, Newman, and Phillip Earle.

A special musical tribute honours the late gospel giant Richard Smallwood, featuring soloists Deborah Ann Rosewell Miller and Chanell Hopkins in a stirring praise medley. The programme also showcases the vocal brilliance of Carolyn Reid-Cameron in ‘Fix Me’, while Mattu Perry’s ‘Clipped and Fallen’ returns with the company’s dancers.

Distinguished broadcaster and cultural advocate Fae Ellington joins the production as the featured spoken word artiste, adding a reflective dimension to the morning’s unfolding narrative.

Audiences will also experience excerpts from ‘Bloom: On Earth as it is in Heaven’ by Avery Walker with associate choreographer Radnell Marin-Pedraza, a work first seen during the 2025 Season of Dance, alongside Oh Happy Day (arranged by Dr. Kathy Brown); ‘Steal Away’ by Bert Rose, danced by Kerry-Ann Henry, Mark Phinn, Perry, Naala Nesbeth and Addison Morgan and ‘Unscathed’ by Troy Powell.

The morning builds to a joyful conclusion with Rex Nettleford’s ‘Apocalypse’, followed by ‘Psalm 150’ set to the music of Noel Dexter and Marjorie Whylie’s ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. The production features a strong ensemble of dancers including Keita-Marie Chamberlain-Clarke, Tamara Noel, Patrick Earle, Phillip Earle, Mishka Williams, Tajay Henry, Kamloy Thomas, Damario Gützmér, Shavaughn Byndloss, Arielle Johnson and Maia Reece. They are supported by an exceptional group of vocalists, Faith Livingstone, Ton Barrett, Paulan Henry, Kamala Nicholson Johnson, Charis Cayetano, Kemar Lee, Joshua Page, Shane Wright, Andrew Laidley, Daniel Dailey, and Conrad Hall and musicians Henry Miller, Jesse Golding, Davyd-Paul Alberts, Daniel Edwards, Rajay Henry, and David Thomas.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Simms noted, “This offering continues to stand at the intersection of faith and artistry. It is a space where we gather as a community to mark Easter not only through tradition, but through living expression.”

Musical Director Dr Kathy Brown emphasised the role of the score. “Each musical selection has been carefully curated to deepen the emotional and spiritual resonance of the morning. It is a journey that begins in stillness and rises into celebration.”

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