VENUSIAN
by La Shaun Prescott
with Kristoph Brathwaite

Venusian

DESCRIPTIVE/ HIGHLIGHT ABSTRACT

Go to this Sway

ABSTRACT

Venusian was choreographed as a competitive solo entry for the Tropical Heat Virtual Dance Competition in November 2020, with joint choreography by Kristoph Brathwaite and La Shaun Prescott. The piece is an abstract (without storyline) representation of part alien, part human, and explores unique musicality using a range of dance styles including contemporary, folk, dancehall, afrobeats and ballet.  Performed by Kristoph via zoom as the online platform, the piece copped first place in the open senior division category for which it was entered.

CONTEXT

Premiere: Sunday 22nd November 2020

Event: Tropical Heat Virtual Competition 2020

Location: Elle InfiniTT’s Arima studio over the zoom virtual platform.

Choreographed by: La Shaun Prescott & Kristoph Brathwaite

Performed by: Kristoph Brathwaite

Videography & Edit: La Shaun Prescott

Music: Excerpt from “Thule” by Travis Lake

La Shaun Prescott is an Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Trinidad and Tobago and Artistic Director of the dance company Elle InfiniTT. She holds an M.Sc. in Economics from the University of the West Indies (UWI) as well as an MFA in Dance from Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.  Her touring experience includes Europe, Canada, the USA and the Caribbean as lead dancer and choreographer with the world-renowned Soca King Machel Montano for 7 years, as well as 22 states in USA with international artiste Pitbull. La Shaun has also taught Soca Dance and Caribbean Contemporary workshops in South Africa, Australia, London, Atlanta, Miami, Guadeloupe and Martinique, and has been contracted as Head Choreographer and Coach for the dance and fitness program called SOKAFIT.

Kristoph Brathwaite is a young choreographer with Elle InfiniTT, dance teacher at Keep the Beat TT and designer of Kahpparel Clothing Line. Currently pursuing a Diploma in Visual Communications Design at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), he holds an interesting hybrid of performing and visual art expertise. He has been teaching and choreographing Dancehall and Soca with Elle InfiniTT since 2016, most recently choreographing for international artiste Afro B at the 2020 Machel Monday Concert.  He has also choreographed and performed for music videos, concept videos, award ceremonies as well as the International Soca Monarch Competition for artistes such as Hey Choppi, Trinidad Ghost, as well as gospel artistes Marc Isaacs, Jayrich and Adanna.

PROCESS

Venusian was choreographed and rehearsed using a hybrid of in-person and virtual sessions, filming and reviewing as an integral part of the process. As the final performance was intended to be virtually using zoom, dress rehearsals using this platform were essential for high quality visuals ensuring proper syncing of audio and movement especially due to the intricacy of musicality.

International Soca Monarch 2021

DESCRIPTIVE/ HIGHLIGHT ABSTRACT

The International Soca Monarch Competition showcased several novel concepts in its execution for 2021.  For the first time, dance companies would also be competing for prizes through their choreographic presentations with randomly selected artistes. My role in this assignment included joint choreography as well as coordination for the three artistes to whom we were assigned - Farmer Nappy, who won first place in the competition, Rome, and Trinidad Ghost.  Our company Elle InfiniTT also won first place in the dance aspect of the competition, with our team of choreographers including Adrian Daniel, Kristoph Brathwaite, Ariel Thomas and me.

Illustrative Link: