Mahogany Dance Theatre is celebrating 26 years of dance this school year. Mahogany Dance as well as the male corresponding group, Strikers Dance Troupe, work diligently to build and grow the organization.
The theatrical movements of the dance troupe are cultivated and crafted to showcase to the university. Now the dance company is looking forward to the future.
The organization was founded on Oct. 9, 1997 by FAMU alum Shepiro Hardemon. His idea and vision for the dance company began to grow along with his love for dance. Now, 26 years later, he is able to see the fruits of his labor.
Hardemon, also the founder of Strikers Dance Troupe, felt the pressure from his former peers to think outside the box.
“It all originated from the students requesting for me to start a female dance company,” Hardemon said. “I had already started the Strikers while being a student.”
Mahogany’s very own artistic director, Chandler Stewart, has the responsibility to maintain Hardemon’s vision.
“I essentially oversee everything and make sure the production and any event that we have goes without having any issues whatsoever,” Stewart said. “From costumes to venues to cleanliness of the dances is spot on.”
Marley Pinto, president of Mahogany Dance Theatre, says she loves the company from a dancer’s perspective and her aspirations for the group as a whole.
“I enjoy seeing the joy, the excitement; the emotions that I cause audience members to feel, Performing gives you a rush that you can’t explain! Dance is also so expressive and it’s been an outlet for me to release any stresses I may be experiencing. It truly is a gift from God to be able to dance, to make others feel moved, and to glorify His name! I’m grateful for the art that is dance,” Pinto said.
Some of the responsibilities that Pinto takes on as president of Mahogany Dance Theatre include serving as a spokesperson, executing all business matters, organizing E-board and the company, delegating responsibilities to members of the company, effectively communicating with FAMU, and advocating for the troupe’s success as an organization.
“My goals for Mahogany Dance Theatre consist of enhancing our presence on all three campuses in Tallahassee, curating growth within our company as young women and artists, and surpassing our standards of high quality performance,” Pinto said, “You can’t grow if you are comfortable.”
All members of the dance company are looking to the future and what Mahogany can bring to the table.
“In five years or so, I can see the company having well over 100 young ladies and gentlemen auditioning for the company again and I would love to see both Mahogany and Strikers part of that recruitment tool because it’s obvious that the students love dance,” Hardemon said.