Artistic production · October 2019
Musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty; directed by Sophie Caplin and featuring the Duke Players and Amandla Choir. Branson Theater. October 21-22, 27-29, 2019. ...
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Artistic production · March 30, 2019
Commissioned work for E. Gwynn and Dancers Company. In the Senegambia, Mandinka women establish support organizations to help address social conflicts. In this setting, women celebrate one another and demonstrate their female power as the source of life. ...
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Artistic production · 2019
Based on research of the Candomblé religion in Salvador da Bahia, Yansã, the only female orixá, or divinity represents transformation. Created for the Duke African Repertory Ensemble. Musical arrangement by: Richard J. Vinesett using traditional music ...
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Artistic production · 2019
A new work for the Duke African Repertory Ensemble. Musicians: Richard J. Vinesett (musical director), Beverly Botsford, Wesley Williams, Oesa SaVionne Vinesett. Costumes by Gail Rouse. Dancers Bonita Joyce, Ife Michelle Presswood, Naomi Namjala Washingt ...
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Artistic production · 2018
A new work for the Duke African Repertory Ensemble. Musicians: Richard J. Vinesett (musical director), Beverly Botsford, Wesley Williams. Costumes by Gail Rouse. Dancers: Setonji Agosa, Bonita Joyce, Anna Katz, Kalito Luna, Philip Moss, Victoria Prince, ...
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Artistic production · April 2016
Choreography and jun-jun drum composition for Duke student and community dancers to perform at the spring dance concert ChoreoLab 2016. ...
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Artistic production · November 2015
Choreographed for Duke student and community dancers to perform at fall dance concert November Dances 2015. ...
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Artistic production · March 2015
Choreographed for Duke student dancers to perform at the spring dance concert, ChoreoLab 2015. From the southeast of Guinea, West Africa, "Bao" highlights the permanent bonds created during initiation rites. ...
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Artistic production · November 2013
Choreographed work for Duke student dancers performed at fall dance concert November Dances 2013. Inspired by Akan symbols that represent Ghanaian values and thought. ...
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Artistic production · November 2013
Choreographed for Duke student and community dancers to perform at the fall dance concert, November Dances 2013. ...
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Artistic production · March 2013
Choreographed dance work performed by Duke student and community dancers for spring dance concert ChoreoLab 2013. ...
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Artistic production · March 2013
Choreographed and performed "Orange Again" for Dance Program's spring concert ChoreoLab, with Ava LaVonne Vinesett. ...
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Artistic production · November 2012
This second phase included a 17 minute performance which highlighted Cici's sculpture installation and West African masquerade traditions. Music by Richard J. Vinesett, Beverly Botsford, Oesa SaVionne Vinesett. Dancers: Rebecca (Becky) Holmes, Tria Smother ...
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Artistic production · September 2012
This piece will premiere in April 2013 and was set on the E Gwynn and Dancers Company for their annual main stage concert. The piece is based on the Mandinka women of the Senegambia. Mandinka women establish support organizations to help address social con ...
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Artistic production · November 2011
We Leave Behind". Ensemble work for Duke African Repertory Ensemble. 2011 November Dances. Music: John Hanks, Oesa S. Vinesett, Richard J. Vinesett Dancers: Thaddeus Bennett, Destani Bizune, Ellen Brown, Danika Manso-Brown, Chanelle (Cici) Croxton (14 minu ...
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Artistic production · April 2011
"Crossing the Color of the Sky" (2005) Music I Berimbauistas: Oesa SaVionne Vinesett, Domingo B. Vinesett, and Richard J. Vinesett Music II by Ry Cooder Bottle Tree visual installation by Cici Stevens Often associated with the Afro-Brazilian art form capoe ...
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Artistic production · 2010
This work was commissioned by Sadiyah Shakur, Founder and Director of Collage Dance Theater for the company's 25th Anniversary. Spring 2010 ...
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Artistic production · 2010
Spring 2010. Collage Dance Company. "Seruba" features an ensemble of dancers weaving traditional “jun-jun†drumming with songs and dance styles from the Sene-Gambia region of West Africa. This piece was originally set on the Duke African Repertory E ...
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Artistic production · October 2009
August, 2009 - October, 2009. Choreographed for the Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble's Home Season Concerts October 2-3, 2009 ...
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Artistic production · August 31, 2009
This work is inspired by a forced ritual which enslaved Africans had to endure prior to passing through the “Door of No Return†before entering the slave ships. Males had to circle a tree nine times, women and children seven times. This ritual was supp ...
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Artistic production · January 2009
"Maferefun Obatalá" was re-staged with an added section using rhythms from the Candomblé orixa, Oxumare. Created for the Duke African Repertory Ensemble. Percussionists: Beverly Botsford, Domingo B. Vinesett, Oesa S. Vinesett, Richard J. Vinesett (Musical ...
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Artistic production · November 2008
Vévé. In Vodoun ceremonies religious symbols are drawn on the ground either before or during rituals. Like the dances and the music, the symbols are a visual prayer used to invoke lwas, deities in Haitian Vodoun. Created for the Duke African Repertory Ense ...
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Artistic production · November 2007
"Yansã the Tempest". Choreographer and Performer. Based on research in the Candomblé religion in Salvador da Bahia, Yansã, the only female orixá, or divinity represents transformation. Created for the Duke African Repertory Ensemble. Musical arrangement by ...
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Artistic production · 2006
Among the Susu and Malinke groups of West Africa, the progression of life is observed as a festive occasion. The annual initiation ceremony begins and concludes with social dancing and music. Soli is one of several rhythms played during this period. Create ...
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Artistic production · 2005
Visual installation by Cici Stevens. Bottle trees have long been used to guide wayward spirits. This African tradition became a part of Southern African-American practice. For some, the bottles petition benevolent, ancestral spirits for protection and good ...
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Artistic production · 2005
An original work featuring 12 women singing, dancing and playing traditional “jun-jun†drums. For this work six drums were commissioned by drum craftsman, Ayinde Nataka. An ensemble work for the 16 member Duke African Repertory Ensemble. Length: 27 min ...
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Artistic production · January 5, 2004
January 5, 2004 - June 2, 2004. Ronald K. Brown Choreographic Project. This project culminated in the new work "Common Ground" which premiered in March on the Dance Program's ChoreoLab concert. The Duke University Dance Program received funding from seve ...
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Artistic production · 2004
Mballax-kat refers to an individual who dances and plays the popular Senegalese rhythm, sabar. The dance layers a second dance style, Sunu to create a new listening experience for the observer, as well as a complex understanding of the choreography for the ...
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Artistic production · June 20, 2003
A pilot program/festival bringing together dancers, musicians, vendors and other artisans for a shared performance and community gathering. ...
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Artistic production · 2003
This fast paced piece displays a very popular Mande dance and music tradition from the Bamana people of West Africa. Through athleticism, creativity, and a full understanding of the multi-metered rhythm text that is Manjani, 14 dancers and musicians from t ...
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Artistic production · 2003
Originally choreographed as part of a larger work by Guinea national, Pele Camara for the Chuck Davis African- American Dance Ensemble (1988), Chuck Davis granted me permission to re-stage and contribute new choreography. Although Dundun ba is widely known ...
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Artistic production · November 2002
Choreographer. Jalidon is a collaborative work with the 149th generation oral historian, or "jali", Djimo Kouyate. This work was set on the 17 member, Duke African Repertory Ensemble. Richard Vinsett, Musical Director. Length: 13 minutes. ...
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Artistic production · 2001
This ensemble work was created for the Duke African Repertory Ensemble and the Duke Capoeira Cooperative. Section I, CuleBra, is a fusion of contemporary, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian movement, choreographed by Ava LaVonne Vinsett. Master Brazilian capoei ...
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Artistic production · 2000
Ensemble work for DARE. 21 dancers and musicians. Dances presented from the Old Mali Empire (Ku-ku, and Dun- dunbah). Special guests: The Duke Djembe Ensemble, directed by Bradley Simmons. Length: 24 minutes. ...
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Artistic production · 2000
Ensemble work for DARE. 29 dancers and musicians. Boke regional song and dance styles from Guinea, West Africa. Length: 22 minutes. ...
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Artistic production · 1999
Performed, co-conceived and co-choreographed this evening length production about bias. Choreography and conception by Barbara Dickinson and Ava LaVonne Vinsett. Original music compolsed by James R. Carlson and Beverly Botsford. ...
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Artistic production · 1999
An ensemble work in three sections for the Duke Repertory Ensemble. 21 dancers and musicians. Solima presents the progression of life as a festive occasion as observed among the Susu and Malinke groups of West Africa. Secion II- Jaime Kira (Path for Men) c ...
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Artistic production · 1999
1999-Present. The DARE combines the talents of Duke alumnae, current Duke undergraduate and graduate students, Duke faculty and staff, and Durham residents who cover a wide scope of professions. DARE is able to represent a unique and strong commitment to ...
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Artistic production · 1998
A Master Production for my thesis concert sponsored by the UNCG Department of Dance. An ensemble of 42 performing artists. This concert combines traditional African, Afro- Cuban and contemporary/modern dance. Length: 90 minutes. ...
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Artistic production · 1997
A dance and music/choral concert for a cast of 37 performing artists. Co-produced by the Duke University Institute of the Arts and St. Joseph’s Historical Society/Hayti Heritage Center. Collaboration with musical director, Bradley Simmons and choral dire ...
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Artistic production · 1997
43 students and community dancers from my technique I & II classes performing dances from the Mande traditions; Temate, Ekon-kon, Sorsonet, and Manjani. Music by Richard J. Vinesett, Bradley Simmons and community drummers. Length: 17 minutes. ...
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Artistic production · 1997
39 students from my technique I & II classes performing the dance style Soli. Music by Richard J. Vinesett, Greg Babb, Beverly Botsford, Vince Brown, Eric Gottesman, and Lynn Monson. Length: 18 minutes. ...
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Artistic production · 1996
Ensemble work for 6 dancers based on the griot’s legend of Sundiata, “The Lion King of Mali.” Traditional instruments by George Glenn. Vocals by Ava LaVonne Vinesett. Length: 11 minutes. ...
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Artistic production · 1995
Duet. Music: “Main Title,†“Harry’s Game,†and “Closing Credits†from “Patriot Games Soundtrack†by James Horner. Length: 12 minutes. (This work was re-staged in March 1998 for my thesis concert and in June 1998 for the American Dance Fes ...
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Artistic production · 1994
Contributing choreographer and performer for student/faculty concerts for the Duke Dance Program, 1994-present, Duke University ...
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