By Barbara Ellington, ContributorTHIS YEAR marks the 41st anniversary of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) and founding member Barry Moncrieffe is set to take on additional duties as the Company's associate director. This position is a first for the NDTC and extremely important for the succession planning and continuity of the goals and ideals of this indigenous Jamaican institution.
The NDTC has survived the teething pains of Independence, thanks largely to the indomitable spirit of volunteerism that characterises the lives of the members of the Company. All have worked tirelessly year after year to give of their talents while maintaining families and 'day jobs'.
For Moncrieffe, the elevation is the continuation of a journey he began as a founding member in 1962, and a chance to persevere in duties he has been doing for some time. He has gone on over 100 major overseas tours with the Company and worked as its artistic co-ordinator. His renown as an excellent performer is now matched by his proven excellence as a teacher and these attributes are extolled by those whose lives he has touched over the years.
Having started with the NDTC as a supporting dancer in 1962, the St. Jago 'old boy' spoke of the 41 years and his dreams for the future.
"I stopped dancing with the Company on the 35th anniversary and I have been doing mainly administrative duties since then," he said.
EARLY INTEREST
Along the way he has studied with famed choreographers such as Martha Graham and Anna Sokolow, and once auditioned with Alvin Aley. He has also had the distinction of teaching at the island's national school of dance since its inception to the present time.
As a young boy, Moncrieffe was drawn to the stage early, and naturally so, since his father sang in church and his mother played the piano. But his feet yearned to dance the minute he saw the Ivy Baxter dancers on stage at the Ward Theatre in downtown Kingston.
"I was drawn to it but they only wanted school-leavers. Later I teamed up with Eddy Thomas and Rex Nettleford who became my first teachers. I did Pantomime before going off to learn from Martha Graham on a full scholarship in 1964," he said.
Moncrieffe is quick to point out that three of his contemporaries Derick Williams, Bert Rose and himself were fortunate to get the much sought after scholarships and the overseas exposure helped to hone their talents.
RETAINING ITS JAMAICAN-NESS
Being at the centre of the creative dance force in the island, Moncrieffe has seen many changes in the attitudes and approaches to the genre in 41 years.
"There is a new spirit of adventure. Dancers today are more fabulously trained than we were back then. They come into a ready-made company and unlike us, all of them are full-time students." He pointed out that the young generation of dancers have strong views about what they want but maintains that the NDTC needs the 'Nettleford touch' to keep it as a Jamaican company.
On the administrative side, many of the original dancers now hold executive positions with the Company and its affairs are administered by a board which is chaired by Sandra Shirley.
Moncrieffe's vision is for the Company to continue to be different from the rest: "We should not try to be North American, things change but we must retain our Jamaican-ness. We are not a classical ballet company and that is evident in our works and movements."
Although not prepared to say that he is being groomed to succeed the artistic director, he carries out the 'master's duties', ensuring that when Nettleford has to be away on various overseas trips, things run smoothly.
"I hold the reins as 'Uncle Barry' to the younger dancers, timetable rehearsals, arrange travel schedules and I am there full-time to see that things run smoothly."
On a personal level, Moncrieffe will continue to conduct workshops overseas such as the one scheduled for Birmingham, England, this year. He taught at the famed Vassar College for four years but love of country brought him home to his roots.
OTHER ADVENTURES
When time permits, he choreographs and devotes some time to fashion designing something, he confesses, is his first love. He has designed some costumes for the Company singers in the past and has gained some acclaim for his eye-stopping black and white haute couture designs.
These have graced local catwalks and his innovative interpretations of the national costume have adorned beauty queens and others who represent Jamaica overseas.
When the new season of dance kicks off come month-end, patrons and faithful can expect to see eight new works by choreographers including Rex Nettleford, Clive Thompson, Arlene Richards and Christopher Walker.
The popular 'Pocomania' returns to the stage and this is good, particularly at a time when many modern pop moves are reflecting the influences of
traditional dances.
This observation forces Moncrieffe to reaffirm that his vision for the NDTC is totally in alignment with the artistic director's: "We must look for the
success within us."
Of the Company's financial future, Moncrieffe admits that there are struggles but "If you love it, you try to keep moving on."
