The PlayhouseSquare Community Engagement & Education Department, along with Oberlin College Department of Theater & Dance are proud to present the premiere of the choreopoem “why i had to dance,” written by Ntozake Shangé and choreographed and directed by Dianne McIntyre.

Ntozake Shangé is a renowned poet, performance artist, playwright, novelist, children’s book author and educator. Shangé is best known for her 1970s choreopoem for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf, which ran on Broadway, toured internationally and was nominated for a Tony Award. A movie based on the play came out in 2010. Some of her other works include novels Betsey Brown, Liliane, Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo and Some Cry, Some Sing. Her latest book, lost in language & sound: or how I found my way to the arts includes the poem, “why I had to dance.”

Dianne McIntyre is a choreographer, dancer, teacher and historical researcher. A Cleveland native, McIntyre resided in New York City as a dance artist for more than 30 years. Her choreography is seen nationally in the modern dance concert world, in theater, on television and in film. McIntyre has choreographed for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as well as numerous other US professional and university dance companies – most recently the Universities of Michigan and Minnesota. McIntyre was approached by Shangé in 2007 to choreograph “why i had to dance.”

Poet/playwright Ntozake Shangé’s choreopoem “why i had to dance” takes the audience into the world of dance through Shangé’s experiences. Shangé describes it as: “The story of black dance herself… the connectedness of black dance from one generation to another generation and from one region to another region, moving all around the dance world from my childhood on.”

“This is a ‘dream’ process. The kind you hear and read about writers and choreographers having support to do with a creative team and envying them,” explained McIntyre. “The Launch program at PlayhouseSquare is the only initiative I know of in this region of the country that could have given me the chance to try out some ideas of putting Ntozake Shangé’s poem into action.”

She went on to say, “In late 2010 when I mentioned the project to Oberlin’s president, he immediately expressed interest and then offered to help produce the work. Oberlin’s support with masterfully styled costumes and a theatrically dynamic set, rehearsal space, crew, and designers joined with PlayhouseSquare’s support to bring together every ingredient necessary to create a platform for a potentially memorable work. This unique journey is a lesson in how institutions can collaborate to bring a firm foundation to the visions of eager artists. I am honored to be in the middle of this whole festive happening and to bring Ms. Shangé’s inimitable work to the Northeast Ohio public.”

“why i had to dance” premieres at Oberlin College February 9-11 and then moves to PlayhouseSquare for performances February 17 and 18.  All five performances begin at 8 p.m. Each evening opens with “Unexpected Journeys,” another new piece choreographed by Dianne McIntyre with Oberlin student collaborators. “Unexpected Journeys” is directed by Oberlin Associate Professor Caroline Jackson Smith. Click here to purchase tickets.

Additional links:

See a recent interview with Dianne McIntyre on Applause here.
Check out this Dee Perry Around Noon Interview with Dianne McIntyre and Ntozake Shangé here.