Black Movements Dance Theatre (BMDT), an academic dance company centered around Black dance, will present its spring concert, “Eternal Roots,” at the Gonda Theatre on Feb. 14 and 15. 

The performance features ten pieces choreographed by the company’s faculty artistic director, guest choreographers and student choreographers. Founded over 35 years ago by two Black female students to create a space for Black artistic representation, BMDT operates as a pre-professional and academic company that trains, choreographs and performs in diverse styles of Black movement. 

Alfreda Davis, BMDT’s faculty artistic director, said the student-developed “Eternal Roots” theme represents interconnectedness across peoples and the continuity of the Black experience.

“The theme is really framed around resistance and recognizing the strength of who we are as Black people and how we fit into society, how we fit into the world, how we want the world to view us, but still holding on to our roots and who we are,” Davis told The Hoya. 

Aidan Munroe (CAS ’27), a student co-director of BMDT, said the theme draws on interwovenness, foundations and growth found in nature to develop the idea of connection.

“We’re thinking a lot about connections to Blackness throughout history, in terms of how stories have manifested, changed and grown throughout time, and how at the human level everyone is really intrinsically connected, kind of like a forest,” Munroe told The Hoya. 

Fathia Fasasi (SOH ’27), another student co-director of BMDT, said this season’s choreographers have expressed the theme in a variety of styles, drawing inspiration from artists ranging from Alvin Ailey to Beyoncé.  

“People have different dance backgrounds, and we welcome all of that, and then somehow we make it all fit and all go together, and I think that’s what makes BMDT special,” Fasasi told The Hoya. 

Davis said her choreographed piece, “Four Women,” is a revived work previously performed by BMDT which emphasizes storytelling. 

“The music is by Nina Simone and it is a tribute to Black women,” Davis said. “And the song talks about these four women and what they have endured and what their plight has been in the world and in society.” 

Almitra Guart (SFS ’27), a performer in BMDT, said being in Davis’ piece allowed her to develop her ability to embody a character through dance.

“As I grow into a mature dancer, I feel like taking on roles like that is a way to challenge myself emotionally when I dance,” Guart told The Hoya. 

Davis said bringing in guest choreographers, like JaRon Gilchrist, who choreographed “Mysterious Ways” for the performance, enhances and diversifies students’ artistic education. 

“He’s teaching them how to understand syncopation and different rhythmic areas of movement, and it’s a piece that requires a level of theatrics,” Davis said. 

Guart said being in Gilchrist’s number, which brings to life the spirit of the Black church in homage to Alvin Ailey’s seminal work, “Revelations,” allowed her to engage with a culture that is not her own.  

“I loved it because there are people in the company who are not Black, or who are and they’re not religious or they haven’t experienced that,” Guart said. “And it was a really unifying moment for us to all be giving this entire all that we have into it and like being in this character piece.”

“What that has shown me is that you shouldn’t be afraid to engage in things that are outside of your own culture or your own comfortability, because it actually can bring you so much closer to what’s going on in the people around you,” she added. 

Fasasi said the final piece of “Eternal Roots,” choreographed by Davis in collaboration with the entire company, exemplifies how BMDT allows each dancer to develop their own artistic voice. 

“You get to see everybody shine in their own way and not only shine individually but also shine as a group,” Fasasi said.  

“I feel like it really embodies the theme this year of collectiveness,” she added. 

Fasasi said she hopes the audiences at “Eternal Roots” will both appreciate the dancers’ dedication and take the opportunity to escape into the art. 

“You can tell they put their art and soul into this,” Fasasi said. “I’m really excited for the audience to see this, especially with everything going on right now, taking a break and using art as a form of therapy.”