Young people moving through club styles may not be what one first expects on a concert dance stage…yet, Uchenna Dance is defying those expectations. Sadler’s Wells is restaging Our Mighty Groove in partnership with the company, under the direction of Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu. The work first ran in 2013, though with notable changes this time (from structure to casting) – to be presented at the new and rising Sadler’s Wells East. It’s a celebration of the community found on a dance floor, and a testament to the power found there.
The production features grassroots talent from East London, performing Igbokwe-Ozoagu’s signature blend of club styles (such as waacking, house and vogue) with African and contemporary dance. In that same spirit of deep connection and community, the production is also highly immersive; audience members will become creative agents in the production that happens each run (with no two performances quite the same).
In fidelity to the production’s fresh and egalitarian spirit, let’s hear from two ensemble artists – young talent local to East London. Guest Artist Shula Carter is a graduate of LMA London, and performing credits include UEAFA Cup Final Opening Ceremony and dancing for Lenny Kravitz. Uchenna member Shanelle Clemenson has danced with Rosie Kay, Catherine Wheels (for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival) and the UK music collective SAULT, with other credits including Eurovision 2023 and WICKED. Take it away, dancers!
The movement vocabulary for this production features club styles (house, waacking and vogue) fused with African and contemporary dance. What’s it like to move through? Is there any particular approach or mindset that you’re bringing to learning and executing it, in order to make it all cohesive and fluid?
Shula Carter
“It feels extremely freeing to explore and choreograph in the club atmosphere with such an array of styles to choose from and intertwine with my character’s personality traits. I make sure while I’m learning this movement vocabulary that I’m mindful of my previous knowledge and how it can benefit what I’m learning, as well as what feels more foreign to me. I can then hone in on those skills in the studio. Staying grounded also allows me to have that real club feeling of dancing like nobody’s watching.”
Shanelle Clemenson
“It’s all under the umbrella of movement. Sometimes when you approach a dance style from an analytical point of view, you end up losing the essence and fluidity. To move through all these different dance styles feels so natural for me now, especially having worked with Uchenna for so long. The best way to move through the different styles effectively and effortlessly is to just let loose and enjoy.”
The production will also be notably immersive, even involving audience members in the program itself. How are you thinking about that, perhaps preparing yourself for that, if in any way? Are you looking forward to working so closely with the audience, and if so why?
Carter
“Even though this is my first professional contract, I’m actually really pleased and excited that it gets to be an immersive show. I’m a very emotional person who pays attention to detail, so connecting with people on this level and creating a safe space within the world of dance is a dream in itself.
I’m preparing myself in and out of the studio even with such minute things as getting more comfortable with consistent eye contact in everyday conversation and how different people react in certain situations. I’m also researching new ways to add more depth to my character for authenticity and possible relatability.”
Clemenson
“To be honest, the only real preparation I can do is to be so connected with my character; if all else fails, I’ll have my character profile and the overall storyline. When doing immersive work, especially with a production like Our Mighty Groove, the audience is at some point going to be a part of the show, and each audience member is going to respond differently each night.
This is the part of the show that none of us can prepare for. But it adds something special to the show, and makes our performances really enjoyable, exciting and slightly unpredictable. It adds to the true essence of being on the Club Groove dance floor.”
What are you anticipating as a challenge within the process of this show, and how do you anticipate meeting that challenge?
Carter
“For me, it’s performing in styles in which I haven’t been formally trained. I want to tell this story with full authenticity and leave these performances knowing I gained so much knowledge and repertoire for my journey ahead. And I’ve been doing this since I first met Vicki, Joanne and Khloe at the beginning of the process. To meet this challenge, I will simply take more classes in the club styles I need to, before rehearsals start. For my character, waacking and house is what I need to work on.”
Clemenson
“I was in the original Our Mighty Groove that ran 11 years ago, at the Lilian Baylis Studio (Sadler’s Wells). Uchenna’s Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu, who is the Artistic Director and Choreographer of the show, had this amazing idea. She came up with all the different structures and formulas to make the show work seamlessly.
That being said, I’ve not performed this show with all the extra elements as in having the young cast, more characters, going from a theatre setting to an immersive setting and performing in such a huge space. While all these extra elements will be a challenge to navigate, it’s going to add an exciting, elevated element to the magic of Our Mighty Groove. It’s going to be amazing!”
On the flip side of that, what are you most excited about?
Carter
“I’m most excited about blessing the stage at Sadlers Wells East for the first time and being part of the production process. And also getting so immersed with the cast and my character, who I think will be a part of me forever.”
Clemenson
“I’m most excited for the costumes, hair, makeup, lighting, staging, music, production, performing with the cast…Just all the things coming together to make this already spectacular show even more spectacular and fabulous. I’m also excited to observe the audience as they watch, groove and dance with our cast while taking in the space – and then to see their reactions and actions. It’s going to be fun!”
Our Mighty Groove also underscores the power of community and dancing in community. Very much in that spirit, this production draws upon local youth talent. I’d love to hear your thoughts on why and how that focus matters, and how that may play into your work on the production!
Carter
“A big reason for Sadler’s Wells East being created is to re-ignite this sense of community in East London, which I think resonates with me and my character. The focus matters because it allows young artists like me to have a chance of being and feeling seen. Which, frankly, is all my character craves as well – we just approach it differently. So using this motif really helps me to connect my real feelings to how she may be feeling, and how that affects her interactions.”
Clemenson
“Dance is such a beautiful universal language, and the beauty of Our Mighty Groove is that it’s such a timeless production. Having the young cast be a part of the show this time around has been so creative, special and unique. It’s added another dimension to the various characters in the show that would not have been possible if they were not involved.
Sadler’s Wells East is going to open up its doors to the next generation. I think it’s important for young people to see themselves in shows like Our Mighty Groove so they know they can achieve anything if they put their minds to it, and that more opportunities like this could be available for them in the future.”
Thanks so much for your time and insights! Please share anything else that you’d like our readers to know.
Carter
“If you’re an emerging artist who feels as if there’s not a place for you within this community or industry, please stick it out – because you will find your people. I’m living proof.”
Clemenson
“I cannot wait for everyone to experience this new fierce, fabulous, remixed take on a Uchenna classic. Our Mighty Groove is an amazing show, and I hope that everyone who comes to see it finds their ‘groove’.”
Find Carter on Instagram @shulacarter, and Clemenson at @shanelleclemenson. Find information on Our Mighty Groove, and purchase tickets, here. The production will run at Sadler’s Wells East from Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 February 2025.
By Kathryn Boland of Dance Informa.
