T. MAJ Dance Company uses art as vehicle for activism

WAYNE, N.J. – Titilayo Majoyeogbe is the director and choreographer of a fairly new dance company — T. MAJ Dance – that recently demonstrated its mission to address sociopolitical issues and encourage activism through dance performances.

T. MAJ Dance company presented its premiere performance called “Plight,” by implementing text, audio, props, visual and innovative movements to depict one of the world’s largest humanitarian crisis – immigration.

Majoyeogbe believes “Plight” dance show is culturally relevant.

“As a choreographer, I always want to create a dance that seeks to bring the unspoken, neglected, rejected and under-told histories and stories of marginalized people to light through movement,” Majoyeogbe states.

According to Majoyeogbe, “Plight” is culturally relevant because it reveals the sacrifices of family divisions among immigrants.

She said the performers explore their sacrifices by creating moments of dependency and independency, and security and disconnection.

The dancers demonstrate the issues of immigrants through “small yet intense vernacular gestures that speak of dignity, power, determination and desperation,” Majoyeogbe states.

The dance movements create a surreal experience charged with mystery and analogy that invite viewers to feel empowered, self-reflect and take action, she explains.

As a choreographer, she pushes the boundaries of creative movements while she tries to inspire viewers by creating a sense of hope in the midst of worldwide sociopolitical issues, she says.

In general, “Plight” performance revolves around immigration, culture resilience, humanity and community.

Her choreography is meant “to initiate conversations among people and to help keep the channels open to humanity and the realms of social inclusion,” she infers.