PAPER SHIP

Join us on February 29th at 6:30pm at the Timms Centre for the Arts to celebrate the closing of our Symposium with Paper Ship: A Choreographic Odyssey of Struggle and Liberation. Followed by a reception in the Lobby. Please RSVP during your registration.

'Paper Ship' is not merely a dance; it is a living narrative, a visual symphony that resonates with the resilience and courage of those who faced the darkest chapters of our shared past. Each movement tells a story etched in the annals of history, capturing the essence of struggle and the indomitable spirit that refused to be subdued. This choreographic piece skillfully weaves together poignant narratives of pre-slave trade Africa, the haunting journey across the trans-Atlantic, and the indomitable spirit of those who triumphed over adversity. From the depths of despair to the heights of resilience, "Paper Ship" is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. Join us as we celebrate the resilience, courage, and triumph of those who dared to dream of freedom amidst the darkest chapters of our shared past.

Paper Ship team

Eric Awuah 

Director, Writer and Choreographer

Eric's teaching and performance career has taken him across borders, where he has shared his passion for dance in Higher Educational Institutions, professional dance companies, and amateur dance groups in countries such as Norway, Canada, and beyond. His contemporary African/Ghanaian dance workshops and classes are known for their innovative approach, exploring the embodiment of indigenous dance elements on diverse bodies and fostering connections between cultures. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Eric is also an avid researcher, with a keen interest in exploring the cultural and social dimensions of dance. He has undertaken research projects and taught in various international settings, including Romania, Hungary, Burkina Faso, Denmark, and London, further enriching his understanding of dance practices across different contexts. Through his dedication to dance, education, and research, Eric Awuah continues to make significant contributions to the field of dance studies, bridging cultural divides and promoting cross-cultural exchange through the universal language of movement.

Kofi Anthonio
PhD

Choreographer, Performer, educator, scholar, curator and performer - School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana.

Prosper Atsu
Ablordey

Master percussionist- musician, composer, teacher- School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana

Mpoe Mogale
(they/them)

Choreographer, dancer, community-based researcher - amiskwaciywâskahikan and moh’kínst sis

Shima Robinson
(Dwennimmen)

Writer and spoken-word performer

Mustapha
Braimah 

brings a lifelong practice with over two decades of international experience and high artistic acclaim to his roles as an artist-scholar from Ghana, West Africa. He is a choreographer, assistant professor, educator, curator, performer, musician, and administrator

Emmanuel Cudjoe
PhD 

Assistant Professor, Choreographer, scholar, performer, and teacher

Elsa
Robinson

Multidisciplinary artist and art instructor based in Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton)

Noretta
Lewis-Prince

Community theatre practitioner, musician, composer, dancer

Daniel
Anyim 

Dancer, choreographer, and cultural enthusiast ON-Canada

Cherelle
George

Dancer, storyteller, teacher - A first generation Canadian of Trinidad and Tobago descent, she has cultivated a strong connection to her roots, particularly in Caribbean Dance styles such as Folklore dance and Soca Dance

Larissah
Lashley 

is a singer, actor, dancer, and musician based on Treaty 6 Territory in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta). Larissah is a graduate from the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting program at the University of Alberta. Presence, relationship, and breathing with people are major values in her artistic practice

Abigail Ameley
 Quaye 

is a Theatre Artist, playwright and performer

Leo
Gonzalez 

Born and raised in Havana, Leo was selected to study at the prestigious National College of Art and Music Shows in Havana, where he became a professional dancer and choreographer with extensive knowledge of traditional Cuban and international dances, including Afro-Cuban, Afro-Haitian, ballet and contemporary.  After moving to Edmonton he started the Cuban Movements Dance Academy in 2013 to share his passion and love for Cuban dance and culture with the Edmonton community. In 2022, Leo was selected for the inaugural cohort of RISER Edmonton, a collaborative producing model for theatre and interdisciplinary artists to create and present new work. As part of this opportunity, he presented The Power of the Drum, a homage to the power of the drum as a reflection of the resilience,adaptability, creativity, and autonomy of the Cuban Diaspora in the midst of struggle, crisis, and uncertainty. In 2023, Leo presented Ay Candela!, A Cuban Dance adaptation of the Chicago play at the Edmonton Fringe Festival. He was also a recipient of the 2023 Edmonton Artists' Trust Fund Awards.

Yasmine
Lewis-Clarke

Performer, Actor, Storyteller

Kijo
Gatama

Performer, Actor, Storyteller

Emmanuel
Cudjoe

PhD - St Olaf College

Mustapha
Braimer

Goucher College

The realization of Paper Ship has been possible thanks to the contribution of the Ghana Friendship Association of Edmonton, the Orchesis Dance Society, the Africa Center, and the Crown Mentorship Foundation's Black Youth Leadership Program.

Also, The Canadian Center for Ethnomusicology,  Revee Brown Collection, and Apam Cultural Consult have helped greatly through their in-kind support.