Alesandra Seutin of Vocab Dance Company

Vocab Dance Company (c) Nick Gurney

Vocab Dance Company are back on stage with Frusted, a triple bill performance that is part of Resolution! (until 20 Feb at The Place.)

We did this interview with Aleseandra Seutin back in 2008 (for sayitloud, the first incarnation of catchavibe.co.uk) where she introduced us to her company.

There’s a buzz around Alesandra Seutin, Artistic Director of Vocab Dance Company and it was certainly felt during their performance of Blue Print in March 2008, where the audience greeted the choreographer with screams of support as she returned to the dance platform at Stratford Circus for the second year running. Her new work, Kwenda-Kwenda explores the theme of not knowing where one is going, whilst remaining in touch with one’s roots, or in Alesandra’s words ‘stepping into the unknown whilst remaining in the familiar’.

Set within an African village dwelling, complete with washing drying on a line, a young girl endeavours to seek her identity in pastures new. She is constantly surrounded by six other women, her female peers and family who converse with, engage and berate her. Perhaps the village and the women are not really there, they exist only in her subconscious as a reminder of her roots, in her struggle against the unknown. It’s a tale that is possibly of special significance to Belgium-born Alesandra, who confessed that initially she had to leave her family behind when settling here in the UK.

With a vibe that exudes high energy, sensuality and cheeky humour, comparisons to long standing American dance company Urban Bush Women are easy to make. However, the choreographer’s own spin on the fusing of African, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Physical Theatre, results in a rich eclectic, yet modern, movement language that truly reflects the company’s name. Alesandra describes her approach as living dance from the inside out – harnessing the raw energy and skills of the dancer in order to inspire and create a unique style. Formed in the summer of 2006, Vocab’s knack of being on trend yet familiar is also reflected in the costumes, layered vest tops and flared southern African styled miniskirts – decorated with metallic strips and splashes of colour that flaunt a punk edginess.

Although, despite presenting a range of work that draws mainly on black dance styles, through a cast of performers who are predominantly black in origin – a company member from Croatia unfortunately had to drop out at the last minute – Alesandra is quick to dissuade anyone from pigeon holing Vocab as just a Black Dance company. Though proud of her heritage, which can be traced back to Harare in Zimbabwe, this emerging choreographer strives to create dance that is appealing to those diverse in age, gender, ethnicity and background. It is a huge undertaking, even for a more experienced artist, but this young and recent graduate of Middlesex University assured me she is up to the task. With a genuine devotion to her craft, bundles of determination and the support of East London Dance, Alesandra is determined to see the future expansion of Vocab, spreading her brand of dance to new audiences. With such enthusiasm and a savvy for knowing the hard work required in a competitive and unpredictable dance industry, no doubt we’ll be definitely seeing more of her in the future.

Frusted: Fri 19 Feb, 8pm @ The Place. Details and tickets

More about Vocab on Myspace

One Response to “Alesandra Seutin of Vocab Dance Company”