GEOMETRY OF POWER

Educational dance-theatre performance that delves deeper into the historical and ongoing impacts of the 1884 Berlin Conference, exploring its legacy of division in Africa and connecting it to contemporary global issues of unity, self-determination, and collective action. The show aims to empower audiences to recognize their role in shaping a more equitable future.

1. Structure of the Show

"G.P." is a multidisciplinary dance-theatre work, educating the Vancouver public about a historical event.

• Duration: 75 minutes.
• Artistic Disciplines:
• • Dance: A fusion of Traditional African Dance (specific regional styles as relevant to the narrative), Contemporary Dance, Hip-Hop, elements of Krump and other street styles to represent resilience and resistance.
  • Narrative/Spoken Word: Use of pre-recorded narration, live spoken word, and projected text to provide historical context, personal testimonies, and calls to action.
  • Visuals: Projection mapping of historical documents (maps, treaties), archival footage, contemporary imagery, and evocative abstract visuals to enhance storytelling.
  • Soundscape: Original musical compositions blending traditional African rhythms, contemporary scores, sound effects, and recorded speeches/interviews.
  • Lighting Design: Dynamic lighting to evoke mood, shift time periods, and highlight specific performers or narrative points.
• Thematic Arcs:
• • Historical Foundation (Act 1 Expansion): A deeper dive into the lead-up to the Berlin Conference, the Conference itself (the participants, the rationale, the outcome), and the immediate aftermath – the "Scramble for Africa" and its initial colonial impact.
  • The Seeds of Division: Exploring how the arbitrarily drawn borders impacted existing ethnic groups, trade routes, and social structures, leading to internal conflicts and political instability that persist.
  • Legacy and Neo-Colonialism: Examining the long-term economic, political, and social consequences, including resource exploitation, political interference, and the challenges of nation-building in post-colonial Africa.
  • Resilience and Resistance: Highlighting historical and contemporary movements of resistance, unity, and self-determination within Africa and the diaspora.
  • Global Interconnectedness-: Drawing parallels between colonial legacies and current global challenges (e.g., climate change, economic inequality, migration), emphasizing that these issues are not isolated but interconnected.
  • The Call to Action: "G.P": The final act will shift from historical reflection to a powerful, hopeful, and urgent call for collective responsibility and action from both African and non-African communities to dismantle systemic inequities and build a more just world.
• Ensemble: An ensemble of 8 dancers, allowing for powerful group choreography as well as nuanced individual performances representing different perspectives or roles within the narrative.

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