The Clarice – A stage for Black voices to shine

As the spotlight flickers on and the audience falls silent, Jamaal Bowman steps onto the Kay theater stage, determined to honor the legacy of Black pioneer dancers and pave his legacy. 

“While I’m performing, I’m always trying to craft a narrative and live inside of that,” Bowman said. “I just think of all the Black pioneer dancers who need their flowers in many ways, and I think it’s keeping that legacy going.”

Bowman performed the mixed repertory performance by the dance company A.I.M. The show, which explored movement, history and identity, ran on  March 5 and 6 at the Clarice Performing Arts Center.

Founded by Kyle Abraham in 2006, A.I.M is committed to amplifying Black and queer voices, using dance as a tool for storytelling. Through the program, Abraham continued his mission by coordinating a performance detailing movement, music and visual effects to reflect the complexities of Black and Queer narratives. 

The mission comes to life in “Someday Soon,” a piece within the mixed repertory performance that embodies the phrase, “Give me my flowers.”

Within Black culture, the saying serves as a reminder to appreciate people’s contributions while they are still here to receive them. The performance transforms this sentiment into movement, using dance to explore what it means to earn, accept and embrace one’s flowers. 

As the performance unfolds, dancers glide across the stage, reaching for bouquets of flowers reflecting a journey of love, achievement, growth and seeking recognition. 

Megan Pagado Wells, co-director of Artistic Programming at Clarice Presents, is responsible for conducting artist research and bringing different perspectives to the community. 

“We aim to bring ambitious and innovative artists from around the world to campus and want to showcase a broader array of experiences and perspectives,” Wells said. “We just think that [the program] adds to the student experience.”

Shayla Johnson, a sophomore and dance major, attended the performance and viewed it as a moment of empowerment and celebration for the Black community. 

“It was so nice to see many Black people in that theater to see the Kyle Abraham performance,” Johnson said. 

As a dance major, Johnson also performs at The Clarice. Recently, she engaged in the American College Dance Association conference, where she performed a piece depicting “women’s black anger.” 

She noted that The Clarice has always been supportive of new ideas.

“They’ll find a way for me to be able to portray it and get the vision out there that I have,” Johnson said. 

In February, the center held a performance of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow is ENUF” highlighting different Black women. Assistant Director of the show Drew Okoye said that shows like these highlight the importance of diversity in performing arts spaces. 

“For Colored Girls, showing the dynamic personalities and that every Black woman excels in all fields, I think shows that diversity, equity and inclusion is so important,” he said. “If we keep positively representing people of color, I feel like it’s easier for that message to get out.”