Dance as a profession is demanding – Crown Troupe leader
As a child, what were your aspirations and desires? I was a science student because my father really wanted me to become a doctor, engineer or pilot, but poor me, I wasn’t equipped for those lines and so I was simply flunking my science subjects to the consternation of my father. My aspirations and desires […]
As a child, what were your aspirations and desires?
I was a science student because my father really wanted me to become a doctor, engineer or pilot, but poor me, I wasn’t equipped for those lines and so I was simply flunking my science subjects to the consternation of my father.
My aspirations and desires were mapped out for me, so I was simply happy to make my father happy – a feat I didn’t achieve because I wasn’t the best science student in the world. Mathematics gave me the chills. I was more comfortable with letters and the arts.
In fact, I was an unusual science student, because in my secondary school days, I wasn’t part of science students association, but I was an active member of the Debating Society, Drama Club and Press Club. I represented my schools in these literary events which didn’t impress my father. My takeaway lesson from this experience is to watch out for where my children’s strength is and help them find it.
At the time, did you have any mentors or role models in the dance and choreography industry?
I listened to the music of Fela (Anikulapo-Kuti) and Bob Marley. I also read about (Hubert) Ogunde and what all these great icons did with their art. This also informed what my art is all about, an art that is sensitive to its environment.
Why did you decide to settle for dance and choreography as a profession?
Dance and choreography for me sum up the attitudinal approach to self-expression. But I must state clearly here that I am more inclined towards integrated arts that juxtapose dance, drama, music and visual arts. I am an African and our theatre is total theatre.
I come from a strong masquerade background and I know our arts here serve aesthetic and functional purposes. I believe that settling into your comfort zone has a way of fanning the embers of your passion, so I have chosen to do what I do for a living because it’s what my heart truly desires. Not simply for economic reasons. So when things are kind of tight, I do not consider any other thing but art, and when things are rosy, well, bingo! I simply roll along.
Reading through your profile, it seems you have gained great reputation in dance, movement and choreography. How do you feel being such an expert in what one would ordinarily describe as a woman’s job?
Did I hear you say ‘…woman’s job’? Well, let’s just put it like this. What a woman can do, a man can do better.
Did you have a hard time convincing your family and those who meant the most to you about your choice of becoming a professional dancer?
It was very difficult to convince my folks about my choice of career. I was condemned as unserious or lazy or plain stupid, but passion is like a hot knife going through butter when these oppositions come from loved one. Not necessarily because they don’t love you, but because they are concerned about your future. Time has made them to appreciate what I do.
How many people have you been able to drag and encourage to stay in the profession?
Well, I cannot put a number to it, not necessarily because they are that numerous but because I just do my thing and forge ahead. But I can say that I am lucky to always have a bunch of ‘crazies’ around me. We learn from each other and from others too. Every time I look behind me, I see members of my company behind me and our Maker watching over us. We are based in Bariga and my neighbourhood (Bariga) gives ample supply of theatre converts.
Young people are encouraged to shun the lure of the streets and come into the arts to express themselves. It doesn’t take a lot of convincing when you stay focused and dedicated, you find some people coming in your wake.
You are the founder of Crown Troupe. What is that about?
Crown Troupe came into being in 1996. Some friends came to me to say we should start a group, and just like that, we met when we were in Black Image, a group then based in Bariga. So we started, first merely coming together to sing, then we started moving out to see what others were doing. I clearly saw the need for total development, so I applied to study for a certificate in drama from the defunct Centre for Cultural Studies, University of Lagos, and then continued on to study for a degree in Creative Arts from the same university.
Now, that period of my life like every epoch in my life, was positively formative because I met teachers who were like parents. I went through such people in and out of school. They taught me and I learned from them. Great directors, choreographers, mentors, and sometimes detractors! But you know what? I learned from all.
Would you describe dance as an art or a form of entertainment or just a means of livelihood for you?
Dance for me is one of those media of expression. It gives you what you want from it – rejuvenation, education, entertainment and documentation. These are all the purposes dance serves depending on the level of individual involvement. It serves all the aforementioned purposes plus it butters my bread.
Dance comes across as a not too difficult task, especially in our African environment where it is not a big do to move one’s body to the rhythm of sounds. Is it difficult when you take it on professionally?
Professional dance is physically, intellectually and spiritually demanding. It all depends on how far one is willing to go with it. The intellectual demand of dance, for instance, compels you to pay attention to rhythm, beat, sound, space, etc.
You may want to go with or counter the beats. You open up every part of yourself and I think the question you want to ask yourself is why do I want to dance? Once you can answer that, then you know how to approach it. The beautiful thing about it is that it has multipurpose values.
Do you find it a mood-enhancer and nourishment for your mentality, mind and body?
For me, dance is one major tool I use to convey my story. Africans are communal and our festivals are interactive, so it’s just a natural derivative that dialogue is found among dancers and their spectators.
What has been the most exciting bit(s) of your life as a dancer?
Alex Haley described it as the ‘peak experience’. The ‘highs’ you get when you see the enthusiastic response of your audience to your performance at home and abroad is the sweetest ‘high’ I know.
In the course of dancing, do you engage in dialogue as a group and with your audience?
Consider this dialogue between a dancer and the parents of future in-laws.
Father: So my son, what do you do for a living?
Dancer: I am a dancer.
Father: I know. I mean what is your profession?
Dancer: I am a dancer, sir.
Mother: We all dance now. We want to know how you intend to cater for your family?
Dancer: Em…hmm…well…you know…by dancing.
Father and Mother: Leave our house. When you get a decent job, come back for our child.
See, the above dialogue is my attempt at illustrating how a dancer may be viewed by the society. But me, I lost all sense of shame because I really don’t care how people see my profession. I am more concerned about how I take my profession. When you are diligent, you will earn your respect. But if you are sloppy, you will lose it no matter your profession.
What is a regular professional day like for you?
My day starts with me trying to open myself up to get my muse. I work out, rehearse and read.
How do you find Nigerian/African dances to others of South American countries and the rest of the world where dance forms a major part of their cultural attributes?
It’s not new to say Nigeria is blessed. When you lump about 250 nations together to form a nation like Nigeria, what you get is a robust dance library, but we are not doing enough to promote them. People would rather sponsor Salsa, Makosa, hip-hop, etc. instead of a traditional dance from Nigeria.
In as much as you enjoy what you do, is there another field you would have preferred to be in if you could wind the hands of the clock around?
Hairdresser or mechanic is what I would have opted for.