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Dance Masterclass

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Masterclass - Passage

 

The master class centres on the work and technique of the company’s founder, Noble Douglas. The foundation of the workshop is one of Noble’s seminal works, “Passage”.

 

Noble is a proponent of modern dance, having been taught directly by the mother of modern dance herself, Martha Graham, when Noble studied in the US. As a choreographer born and returning to work in Trinidad & Tobago, her style of modern dance was influenced by the strong and diverse local culture. Passage is one of Noble’s strongest reflections of the fusion between Graham Technique and the strong Afro and Indo influences that have been the leading shapers of local culture in T&T.


The 90-minute master class will focus on remounting a segment from the dance “Passage”. From the warm-up to a brief performance run of the selected passage, current and senior members of the company will assist in presenting the session, which will be held on Sunday 19th May, from 10 am at the Queen’s Hall as part of the company’s celebration of its 40th anniversary season.​

 

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MASTER CLASS OUTLINE:

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Title: A Passage Through Movement
Facilitator: Renee Romain, Senior Member, Noble Douglas Dance Company
Date: Sunday, May 19, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Venue: Queen’s Hall

 

Presented as part of: NDDC’s 40th Anniversary Season

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The Concept

Join us for a special 90-minute master class exploring Noble Douglas's rich legacy through one of her seminal works, Passage. Led by senior company members, this session dives into the Graham-inspired foundations of Noble’s technique and the local Afro-Indo influences that shaped her choreographic voice. Participants will learn and perform a segment of the piece, guided by current and senior company members.

 

This is a rare opportunity to study the intersection of modern technique and Trinidadian identity through movement that speaks to ancestry, resilience, and transformation.

Class Breakdown

10:00 – 10:10 AM
Welcome & Contextual Introduction

  • Brief history of Noble Douglas and the company

  • Introduction to “Passage” and its thematic and cultural underpinnings

  • Explanation of Graham technique’s core principles and its adaptation in T&T

 

10:10 – 10:30 AM
Warm-Up: Grounding in Graham Technique

  • Floor work (contraction/release, spirals, breath work)

  • Centre work (plié series, swings, travelling)

  • Across-the-floor phrases that echo movements from “Passage”

 

10:30 – 11:05 AM
Reconstruction: Segment from “Passage”

  • Introduction to chosen section (theme, musicality, intention)

  • Phrase-by-phrase breakdown led by Renee and assisted by company members

  • Repetition and refinement with focus on style, weight, and emotional clarity

11:05 – 11:20 AM

Run-Through & Performance Moment

  • Full run of the reconstructed passage with peer observation

  • Emphasis on transitions, group energy, and storytelling through movement

 

11:20 – 11:30 AM

Reflection & Q&A

  • Dancers’ reflections on embodying Noble’s work

  • Participants share insights or questions

  • Closing words on legacy, community, and the future of the company

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