Lights, Camera, Action . . .

Fortunately, that’s just what happened. Terry Stonom always provides her audiences with a well choreographed evening of dance, with just enough narrative to hold everyone’s interest . . . the interest of some three hundred guest who attended the T’Essence/Terry Stonom Dance Academy’s Friday, November 22, 2008, performance of “The Vision” at The African American Research Library, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In “The Vision” Terry Stonom utilized a cast of approximately sixty persons, including dancers, narrators, mime, poetry, singing, sign language, diverse age and dance technique to tell her story, never once exceeding the abilities within her dancers, while at the same time stretching that ability just enough to challenge them. As in the past, she worked with lighting designers to provide a minimalist set that said all it needed to say and added black and white video to boost her narrative and augment her set. “The Vision” is about a young woman’s conversation with God. She speaks to Him about her life, her failures, the state of the world today and her purpose for being here on earth God, in turn, answers her.

Many talented persons played an important roles in “The Vision”, The narrators were Rev. G. Vincent Lewis and Ms. Thelma Kendrick, Mrs. Rachel Brown and the Alexander Sisters sang songs of praise and promise of which were self composed. The talented Allison LeMaitre executed a dance augmented by sign language to the song, “Anyway.” She brought the audience to their feet. Oh! the babies . . . dressed so beautifully in their tutus captivated the audiences as well. All through the choreography Terry Stonom uses different dance styles, modern, jazz, African, East Indian etc.,in addition to contemporary ballet forms to build her pieces, along with all the beautiful costumes and lights. Tiffany Carpenter, (ballerina) who responds well to challenges Terry Stonom sets on her, danced the role of The Wind in the piece “Chaff” to the music “Dust In The Wind”. Chelsea Robinson’s solo to “Speak Lord” was both moving and believing.

Both Jameelah James and Kenndrah Stonom, up and coming young dancers, should be commended for their performances. T”Essence dancers exemplify the commitment and skills taught by their teacher, the students danced delightfully, but it is the choreography, presence, and the ability to interpreted the mood of the music in ‘The Vision’ that stands out. Terry Stonom’s choice of music and movement phrasing helped make this production the success it was. Most of all, the knowledge that someone, while at the recital, accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior, is by far the best reward we could have received from this production. Definitely, a night to remember. We had the best-behaved and appreciative audiences with which I have had the pleasure of sharing a space. Soli Deo Gloria! FOR HIS GLORY ALONE

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