PROGRAM
Nadia Dieudonné & Feet of Rhythm
Haitian Dance Company
Presents
“WANIMO”
A Haitian Folktale about the power of words
A Mystical Awakening Performance
Haitian Dance Company
Presents
“WANIMO”
A Haitian Folktale about the power of words
A Mystical Awakening Performance
Welcome to tonight's performance, where rhythm, heritage, and storytelling converge to celebrate the vibrant heartbeat of Haitian culture. This program honors 30 years of the remarkable work of Nadia Dieudonné and Feet of Rhythm Dance Company, as well as the Feet of Rhythm Kids cultural program, founded to preserve and illuminate the rich tapestry of Haitian tradition. Nadia not only recreates and fuses traditional Vodou dances with her own distinctive style, but also embodies a steadfast commitment to culture, education, and community. Thank you for joining us and enjoy the performance.
Krik? Krak!, Have you ever heard the Haitian folk story about Joseph and his dog?
Today, Feet of Rhythm will take you to Au Perches in Haiti, deep into the countryside, to tell the story of WANIMO: A Haitian choreodrama, an excerpt of new work that conveys the moral lesson on the power of words..
Storyline
WANIMO is a Haitian folk story about Dieuvela, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy peasant. Many men sought her hand, but when Joseph finally approached her, he was unable to sing to her. Mocking him, Dieuvela declared she would rather marry a dog than a man without words.
Humiliated, Joseph returned home where his loyal dog WANIMO greeted him. Seeking revenge, Joseph used his sacred Asson to call upon the spirits and transform WANIMO into the most handsome man in the land.
When WANIMO entered the village, he captured everyone’s admiration—especially Dieuvela’s, who quickly fell for the very one she once scorned.
Adaptation excerpt presented in four acts.
Program Order
Act I
Scene 1: Courtship
Village scene with women socializing, dancing, flirting, and teasing the male suitors. Joseph musters the courage to approach and sing to Dieuvela. When his attempts fail, the women laugh and ridicule him.
• Choreography: Bel Kongo
Ashamed and humiliated by Dieuvela’s cruel words, Joseph returns home.
In the forest, Joseph seeks help from nature and the spirits to transform Wanimo into a human being.
In the village square, Wanino, now transformed into a handsome man, returns to seduce Dieuvela.
Cast
Alexandra Jean-Joseph .......... Dieuvela
Robenson Mathurin .......... Wanimo
Zaro MJ .......... Joseph
Jessica St-Vil-Ulysse .......... Villager & Leaves
Serena Maximilien .......... Villager
Woodly Jaboin .......... Suitor & Spider
Dessources Marx Frantz .......... Suitor & Spider
Musicians / Drummers
Jean Mary Brignol
Jean Mary Edmond
Sky Jean Menesky
Gregory Phanor
Jace Etienne
Vocalist
Yatande Jude Sanon
Creative Team/Tech
Director / Choreographer .......... Nadia Dieudonné
Visual Tech Director / Stage Manager .......... Cynthia Karaha
Costume Design .......... Nadia Dieudonné & Cynthia Karaha
Wanimo papier mache mask Designer .......... Didier Civil -Jacmel
Sound Design .......... Nadia Dieudonné
Lighting Design .......... Cynthia Karaha
Props ..........Hervay Petion & Cynthia Karaha
Sound Production Tech Team .......... ET
Sound and light coordinator ..........Leslie Saint-Julien
Krik? Krak!, Have you ever heard the Haitian folk story about Joseph and his dog?
Today, Feet of Rhythm will take you to Au Perches in Haiti, deep into the countryside, to tell the story of WANIMO: A Haitian choreodrama, an excerpt of new work that conveys the moral lesson on the power of words..
Storyline
WANIMO is a Haitian folk story about Dieuvela, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy peasant. Many men sought her hand, but when Joseph finally approached her, he was unable to sing to her. Mocking him, Dieuvela declared she would rather marry a dog than a man without words.
Humiliated, Joseph returned home where his loyal dog WANIMO greeted him. Seeking revenge, Joseph used his sacred Asson to call upon the spirits and transform WANIMO into the most handsome man in the land.
When WANIMO entered the village, he captured everyone’s admiration—especially Dieuvela’s, who quickly fell for the very one she once scorned.
Adaptation excerpt presented in four acts.
Program Order
Act I
Scene 1: Courtship
Village scene with women socializing, dancing, flirting, and teasing the male suitors. Joseph musters the courage to approach and sing to Dieuvela. When his attempts fail, the women laugh and ridicule him.
• Choreography: Bel Kongo
- Rhythm: Kongo
- Dancers: Jessica St-Vil-Ulysse, Alexandra Jean-Joseph, Serena Maximilien, Woodly Jaboin, Dessources Marx Frantz & Zaro MJ
Ashamed and humiliated by Dieuvela’s cruel words, Joseph returns home.
- Choreography: Mèt mwen
- Rhythms: Bolewo & Raboday
- Characters:
- Joseph – Zaro MJ -Vocal
- Wanimo – Robenson Mathurin -Solo dance
In the forest, Joseph seeks help from nature and the spirits to transform Wanimo into a human being.
- Choreography: Maji
- Rhythms: Afro, Petro, Zarenyen & Zepol
- Characters:
- Tree/Leaves – Jessica St-Vil-Ulysse
- Spiders – Woodly Jaboin & Dessources Marx Frantz
- Joseph – Zaro MJ
- Wanimo – Robenson Mathuri
In the village square, Wanino, now transformed into a handsome man, returns to seduce Dieuvela.
- Choreography: Jenn Jan
- Rhythm: Maskwon (solo dance featuring Robenson)
- Characters:
- Dieuvela – Alexandra Jean-Joseph
- Joseph – Zaro MJ
- Wanimo – Robenson Mathurin
- Dance: Rara Debake
- Rhythm: Rara
- Characters: Full Cast
Cast
Alexandra Jean-Joseph .......... Dieuvela
Robenson Mathurin .......... Wanimo
Zaro MJ .......... Joseph
Jessica St-Vil-Ulysse .......... Villager & Leaves
Serena Maximilien .......... Villager
Woodly Jaboin .......... Suitor & Spider
Dessources Marx Frantz .......... Suitor & Spider
Musicians / Drummers
Jean Mary Brignol
Jean Mary Edmond
Sky Jean Menesky
Gregory Phanor
Jace Etienne
Vocalist
Yatande Jude Sanon
Creative Team/Tech
Director / Choreographer .......... Nadia Dieudonné
Visual Tech Director / Stage Manager .......... Cynthia Karaha
Costume Design .......... Nadia Dieudonné & Cynthia Karaha
Wanimo papier mache mask Designer .......... Didier Civil -Jacmel
Sound Design .......... Nadia Dieudonné
Lighting Design .......... Cynthia Karaha
Props ..........Hervay Petion & Cynthia Karaha
Sound Production Tech Team .......... ET
Sound and light coordinator ..........Leslie Saint-Julien
Acknowledgments
Thank you to all who have supported our work and mission throughout the 30 years! Cheers
“ Men anpil, chay pa lou”, mesi
Thank you to all who have supported our work and mission throughout the 30 years! Cheers
“ Men anpil, chay pa lou”, mesi
WANIMO CAST MEMBERS
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PRODUCERS
Artistic Director/Choreographer
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Visual Tech Director/Manager
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