From June 27 to 29, the stage of Queen’s Hall pulsed with movement, memory, and meaning as the Astor Johnson Repertory Dance Theatre (AJRDT) presented She Too, a powerful weekend of performances rooted in the themes of continuity, creativity, and community.
The production featured 11 dance pieces, including four captivating works from guest artistes, the Los Alamitos Ballet Theatre (LABT) of California. Together, the two companies offered audiences a dynamic and emotionally rich dance experience that honoured the visionary spirit of Astor Johnson, the late choreographer and founder of the repertory company.
For Johnson, dance was not just performance—it was storytelling with staying power. He championed the repertory style, a belief that certain choreographic works, like meaningful stories, gain resonance and depth through repetition. Returning to familiar pieces, season after season, gives dancers, choreographers, and audiences the space to grow—together. “She Too” embodied this philosophy.
The evening opened with a moving tribute to Leah Gordon, a beloved dancer whose recent passing left a void in the local dance community. The homage was heartfelt and fitting, setting a reflective tone for the rest of the programme.
Choreography throughout the weekend spanned a wide emotional and stylistic spectrum, showcasing works by Astor Johnson, Allan Balfour, Loris Beckles, and Sonja Dumas, as well as LABT’s Riley Parish, and the creative duo David and Renee Kim. Each piece stood on its own, yet collectively wove a narrative of shared artistic vision across cultures and generations.
Partnerships like that between AJRDT and LABT speak to the enduring relevance of Johnson’s ideals—artistic exchange, creative excellence, and the belief that dance can bridge distances, both physical and emotional.
With She Too, the Astor Johnson Repertory Dance Theatre didn’t just stage a show—they reinforced a legacy, and reminded us that in dance, as in life, the stories we choose to retell are the ones that shape who we become.