Vangeline Theater/New York Butoh Institute
presents

RISING OF THE UNCHAINED SILENT SCREAMS

Starring TEBBY RAMASIKE

Followed by a Discussion with the Artist

October 24, 2020 5 p.m. & 8 p.m.

https://www.vangeline.com/online-tickets

TEBBY RAMASIKE is the absolute embodiment of Butoh. He was performing Butoh before he had ever heard of Butoh. People complimented him on his amazing Butoh skill until he was finally forced to find out what Butoh was. Talk about a “natural”.

His RISING OF THE UNCHAINED SILENT SCREAMS portrays exactly that. Using the tiny, contorted movements of the dance form, he struggles to rise from his seated position, huddled in a corner of the stage. His internal tension and emotion are palpable, despite the minimalism of his actions. With awkward, shuddering steps, he fights the terror of his inner demons. Finally, for a moment, he is able to stand erect. Then he begins to shrink again, hunched, overcome.

Born in South Africa, Tebby left that country at the age of eight. He experienced racial hatred there, then the trauma of leaving his homeland. All these struggles inform his dancing. He is professionally trained and danced with troops in Europe. Meanwhile, he was developing a solo form of his own creation, combining his beloved exuberant tribal dances with whatever came from his own heart. It is now called Afro-Butoh. He has studied with Butoh masters and is highly regarded in the Butoh community.

Once someone asked him, “Oh, do black people dance Butoh?” With a laugh he answered, “I don’t know. But I do”

-Karen D’Onofrio-