Origin of Life on Earth

 

 Ashé Cultural Arts Center's original dance/theater adaptation of The Origin of Life on Earth is part of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society's (JPAS) Arts Adventure Series. 

JPAS is proud to bring this multi-disciplinary performance experience back to the stage once again after the 2007 production.  This Big Easy Award winning production tells the story of how earth and the first people were created, according to the Yoruba Culture of West Africa. The creation story connects to the African Diaspora, the arrival of West Africans to New Orleans and their legacy in New Orleans culture and tradition. This dance/theater production has a cast that includes master dancers, theater artists and musicians that bring to life this story. 

The production uses the concept of storytelling that combines spoken word with images presented from dance and film, with music provided by musicians and vocalists. The production combines the elements of the griot (storyteller) with a Vorchestra, film and dancers. The script is an adaptation of the book by the same title written by Dr. David Anderson and adapted by New Orleans playwright and director Chakula Cha Jua. The original music is by Lloyd Daly.