Presented by Hibernian Hall and VLA Dance on October 29th and November 4th, 5th, and 6th, Alive is a rich multidisciplinary work that incorporates dance, live music, theater, and audience participation. It follows the character of Ayo as she “follows her heartbeat” and learns to combat the Malkas, manifestations of her darkest worries and challenges. By learning how to placate and subdue her fears, Ayo also brings about self-transformation represented by the “animated, lively” character of Vivien. Although “an underwater dream” provides the main setting for Ayo’s inner journey, elements of land and desert also appear, perhaps illustrating that Ayo’s transformation traverses multiple geographies and takes place on multiple fronts. Ultimately, at the heart of the piece is a narrative about perseverance in the face of hardship, the search for self and interiority, and the forces that guide us toward change – whether it be the sounds and philosophy of Ubuntu or the care of loved ones such as Ayo’s mother, Sima.

Read the story as it originally appeared in The Boston Compass Newspaper here.