TRANZISYON

TRANZISYON is a two-part choreographic work that explores the internal mental, emotional, and spiritual processing of a group of young Haitians who choose the unknown of a foreign land over the known instability and insecurity of their home in Haiti.

Part one depicts the challenges this group faces during their journey from Haiti to an undetermined location in the Diaspora. Using modern dance, contemporary dance, and Haitian folklore, part one of TRANZISYON seeks to highlight the reality many new undocumented migrants face while traveling through dangerous and treacherous terrain to arrive at their final destination. Through the dance, accompanied by powerful live traditional song and Haitian drumming, the viewer can imagine this group moving under cover of the night, through thick forests, across ocean waters, in unstable rickety boats, on foot for long distances nearly barefoot, battling fatigue, hunger, and shear desperation. Part one centers this journey while also shaping a nuanced and hopeful inner monologue about what it means to dream about living, surviving, and thriving in a new place.

While this iteration of the project focuses on developing only part one, part two of TRANZISYON depicts life for this group of young Haitian after their arrival and as they adapt to their new home. Despite finally making it, new and different challenges arise.