The performing corps of the Edna Manley College's School of Dance staged its 13th Season of Danceworks - Beyond the Ordinary, from April 23 to 26 at the Dennis Scott Studio Theatre, located on the college campus.

The season of dance provided an opportunity for students to showcase their choreographic and performing expertise under the guidance of local and international luminaries. The show featured the choreography of faculty and adjunct faculty choreographers, Marlon Simms, Neila Ebanks, Michael Holgate, Patrick Earle, and Kevin Moore. The quality of works of student choreographers Melisha McField, Paul Newman, Lucan Moore, Steven Cornwall, Kimberly Hyman, Mikhail Morris and Kerry-Ann Henry were on par with that of their lecturers.

The audience was enthralled with many of the pieces that used contemporary and Caribbean dance techniques as well as aesthetics to explore personal, social and relational commentary. Others explored the Jamaican traditional and dancehall idioms. Across the techniques, the dancers executed the moves well with precision, heart and soul, while connecting the audience to various stories and moods. Danceworks' artistic director and School of Dance lecturer, Neila Ebanks, noted that "Some of the concepts were risqué. However, the dancers stepped out to tackle hard issues ... creatively, people stepped out of the box."

'Of Love Elements', choreo-graphed by Ebanks, engaged the audience with a witty and sometimes hilarious presentation of the thunderstorms of love. The dance explored a wide range of love's elements such as passion, control and sometimes jealousy. Simms' 'Primal Instincts' boldly explored the theme of promiscuous relationships and the repercussions. The piece was a great balance between unorthodox twists, entertainment and the exploration of the consequences of one's actions.

'The Silencing', the opening piece from the students, choreographed by third-year-student, Kerry-Ann Henry, looked at the recent hot button topic of abuse. The accompanying spoken word made the piece even more compelling as the audience was challenged with words such as "we are our brother's keeper", which drew whispers of "good message". First-year-student Lucan Moore choreographed an impressive piece entitled 'Breaking Point' that explored frustration and hopelessness resulting from struggling with a particular issue for years. Moore's piece was one of the heart-rending presentations for the season, as the frantic movements and desperate cries heard throughout the piece communicated a raw emotional appeal that connected with the audience.

Throughout the night, the bar of excellence kept soaring higher and culminated with the very extraordinary and entertaining finale 'Dinki Tory', choreographed by Holgate. Accompanied by drums and singing, the piece paid homage to the strong oral tradition in Jamaican folk culture. The dance had a premium entertainment quality as it masterfully weaved strong rhythmic movements, dramatic expression, traditional singing and drumming.

When the lights came down, the audience was left craving for more.

Second-year-student, Annieka Hill, in her stellar performance entitled, 'Love or Lust?' choreographed†by Steven Cornwall.- Contributed

'Breaking Point', an impressive emotionally charged dance sponsored by Jamaica National, choreographed by first-year-student, Lucan Moore. - Contributed

'Un-Dis-puted', a dancehall piece, provided a stir on and off stage, choreographed by third-year-student Melissa McField.- Contributed