By SEETA PERSAD Friday, September 3 2010

FOUNDER and Artistic Director of the Les Enfants Dance Company of San Fernando, Joyce Kirton, is putting the finishing touches on the troupe’s latest production Collage, which takes place tomorrow at the Naparima Bowl.

The veteran dancer and choreographer, who is well known for her cultural work in South Trinidad, has put together an impressive cast of dancers from all over the country in which she says is an effort “to re-generate the spirit of dance in San Fernando”.

Kirton told Newsday: “There is no longer an audience for dance in the southland since dance productions are not cultivated annually by most of the resident companies.”

She said the production will showcase the talents of her younger students and she promises an exciting event with top dancers featured in specially choreographed items.

In preparation of the production, Kirton hosted a workshop for dance students and she said several students from this year’s Secondary Schools Dance Festival will get the opportunity to grace the stage with their winning performances.

In the spotlight will be various styles of dance from West African to Caribbean folk, modern dance to contemporary and even religious dance items. Dance companies and schools slated to perform include the Fyzabad Anglican secondary School, Ujama Ambatana, Metamorphosis Dance Comapny, Pleasantville Secondary School, Sonya Dumas, the Andre Edinne Dance Company, Mariba Francis (soloist), Elements of Dance and of course Les Enfants Dance Company.