Coyaba Dance Theater is a contemporary
West African Dance Company founded by Sylvia Soumah in
1997. The mission of Coyaba is to present authentic portrayals
of African dance, music and other artistic and educational
programs focusing on the diverse ethnic groups of the African
Diaspora and the African American experience.
Coyaba Dance Theater is dedicated to
providing informative community classes workshops, and performances
for all populations of people. Coyaba Dance Theater's belief
as cultural ambassadors is to bring attention to the importance
of the struggles as well as the beauty of the continent
of Africa through artistry, compassion and humanity as it
relates to the US Culture.
Coyaba Dance Theater are the 2001, 2004
recipients of the Washington DC Dance Awards for Outstanding
Group Performance. In 2007 Coyaba Dance Theater received
a $10,000.000 Creation Grant for the National Performance
Network for a new work titled "Destiny", which
premiered in Washington, D.C. The company has performed
and toured at such venues as, Seoul Korea, World Culture
Open, Bouly Sonko, Dakar Senegal, Le Bagatae, Moustapha
Bangoura, Conakry, Guinea, Dance Africa DC, Chicago, Shakespeare
Theater, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing
Arts and the Bars of Wolf Trap.
Coyaba Dance Theater is in residence at the Dance
Place (Washington DC). The company currently performs Outreach/Inreach
performances for the Dance Place, Smithsonian and the Washington
Performing Arts Society in Washington, DC. Coyaba Dance
Theater was rated #1 by the Washington Post for their all
inclusive, high spirited dance class experience.
What Critics say about Sylvia Soumah's Coyaba Dance Theater:
"Soumah has transmitted her zeal for the total experience
of African dance - its uplifting essence as well as its
form - to others in such a powerful and artful way."
-- Sarah Kaufman, The Washington Post
"Coyaba Dance Theater...performs with easy charm."
-- Pamela Squires, The Washington Post
"Coyaba Dance Theater is more than a dance company --
it is a community."
-- The Washington Post
"A flourish of female dancers creating rhythmic poetry..."
-- Lucia Mauro, Chicago Tribune
"Coyaba Dance Theater laments the loss of society."
-- Kristen Brodenberger, The Washington Post
"Coyaba Dance Theater...fierce, sexy and contemporary."
--The Washington Post
|
