Miami native, Randolph Ward has danced throughout the world. A principal dancer in classical ballet companies as well in cutting edge contemporary dance groups, he has worked with some of the leading choreographic names in the dance world.
While holding these mainstream positions in dance, Ward’s investigative nature has led him to explore the fearless, free spirited and competitive underworld of dance. As a Black, gay male dancer and choreographer, he has a realistic and experienced perspective on dance and on life.
Now living and choreographing in Miami, Ward has become a sought after choreographer and he carries the role of advocate for the queer male, for LGBTQ concerns, and is a resonant voice for the Black community.
On Saturday, July 10, in partnership with the Fantasy Factory Theater, Ward’s latest work comes to the stage in “Boys Will Be Boys,” an emotionally charged evening investigating the effects of toxic-masculinity on American boyhood through multiple genres of dance, film, spoken word, drag and "vogue" dance culture.
Natanael Leal photographed by Roi LeMayh.
Addressing the subject of masculinity is not a new one for Ward. His dance life has been surrounded with on-going challenges that have been faced by men who, he says, don’t fit into the stereotypical role of masculinity.
His full evening, “A Vogue Extravaganza” premiered at the Little Haiti Cultural Center in 2019, dipping into the feelings of masculinity and femininity through the ball-room and voguing culture. Adding the theme of homophobia, Ward created the duet, “What Makes A Man” for the 2019 Dimensions Dance Theater of Miami black box series, a prerequisite to his present evening.
Ward’s work has an intensity and rawness that that is in contrast to his person. A soft spoken, gentle soul with a quick laugh and a direct tongue. A continuous researcher, he keeps a computer close at hand to quickly reference music, videos and periphery background information that inform his choreography. Through years of dancing, he has a keen awareness of the overall organizational skills needed to put a show together: the marketing, creating the showings, and managing the theatrical aspects.
Karl Stephan St Louis photographed by Roi LeMayh.
But Ward says the concept for “Boys Will Be Boys” is "pulling from the universe what I’ve seen and experienced as a Black, male, gay dancer. I grew up in an environment where nothing was ever subtle. My family was big and over the top. We would have people over and have these huge meals, and it just wasn’t quiet and calm. I think it is in my nature to do things in a rather big way.”
The encompassing evening has an emotional power that is not subtle.
“It’s part of our culture that you are seen in a role,” Ward says. “I see these young (male) kids, trying to be hard and strong, putting on that mask of masculinity ‘I’m tough. No homo….’ It’s really all men. I’ve tried to get a straight perspective in this piece also because it’s not just about gay men. We all identify with this kind of pressure.”
Pieces such as Wards are heightening the awareness of the male stereotypes that are prevalent in our culture, he says.
“I think the conversation is changing slowly. The fact that we have coined the phrase ‘toxic-masculinity,’ a phrase used by academics to put an umbrella over the masculine idea and ideologies is a step forward.” Ward added.
Ryan Nicholas DeAlexandro photographed by Roi LeMayh.
“Boys Will Be Boys” tells its story through five interconnected solos, each having a different temperament and feeling. Initiating the evening and setting the overall tone is a "call and response" military cadence using themes such as pack mentality, the "boys club culture," "manning up" and "boys don’t cry."
Ward works with improvisation and themes of movement to bring out a range of emotions in each of his five individuals. He pushes them to "make it real and go the distance" while molding and tempering the movements.
“While each solo is unique, Natanael Leal’s solo is the closest to real life for him. It is about humiliation and one person who doesn’t fit in. Experiences that he had growing up in a favela, one of the hardest, toughest ghettos in America.”
Leal’s solo speaks of loneliness, a family he thought he had and the life he was supposed to live. He wants to live life in truth, as the person that he is, Ward says.
After party promo.
In Karl Stephan St. Louis’s solo, he can’t remember the last time he cried. Ryan Nicholas DeAlexandro runs. He is searching and his loud tapping solo speaks of aggression and frustra-tion. The cast is completed with Ariel Miyake Mugler and Sascha Baer, aka the wondrous, German born, drag artist, CC Glitzer.
Glitzer, in contrast to the smiles and joy she usually promotes in her performances, will "de-drag" on stage exposing her vulnerability as well as her power in a solo that indicates we are all basically playing a role throughout our life.
“Boys Will Be Boys” takes a hard and honest look at issues that are prevalent in our culture.
Ward says, “I hope that this performance can prompt more conversation and promote more ac-tions. We need it in our culture.”
“Boys Will Be Boys” is Saturday, July 10th at 8 p.m. at the Sandrell Rivers Theater, 6103 N.W. 7th Avenue Miami, Fl 33127
Tickets are $30 (General Admission), $25 (Seniors|Students|Veterans). Free Parking Garage
For tickets call 305-284-8872 or visit tickets.ftfshows.com
https://tickets.ftfshows.com/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=2297The performance runs 1 hour followed by a brief Q&A with Choreographer and Cast.
Post Performance Fundraiser & Party for MUCE305 directly following the performance. Free parking for party on NW 2nd & 3rd Avenue. Use promo code BOYS for discounted tickets with the purchase of a show ticket.
100% of proceeds supports non-profit MUCE EDUCATES programs.
Meet & greet with cast and Creative Director Randolph Ward
https://app.mobilecause.com/f/3e37/n?vid=jze56
