By JESSICA NEU
The Pittsburgh Dance Council’s 2025-26 series continued last night with Step Afrika!’s The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence. Combining traditional African instruments and choreography, artistic director Mfoniso Akpan and 17 tremendously talented cast members brought this profoundly moving piece to life. The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence tells the story of African Americans moving from the rural South to the industrial North to escape Jim Crow, racial oppression, and lynchings in the early 1900s.
The first piece, entitled “Drum Call,” depicts an African village, the arrival of foreign ships, and the ensuing turmoil. Choreographed and composed by Jakari Sherman and W.E. Smith, this piece represents the drum’s essential role in African history and provides the rhythm for the migration.
“Drum Call” seamlessly segued into “Go West: Circa 1960.” Choreographers Makeda Abraham, Mfoniso Akpan, and Delaunce Jackson depict how African dance and drum traditions remained a pivotal part of African culture throughout the migration. Drumming by Abdou Muhammed, Agyei Keita-Edwards, and Conrad Kelly II set a rhythmic, dynamic, and passionate performance.
As “Go West: Circa 1960” came to an end, the house lights abruptly turned on, and we were suddenly evacuated for a fire drill. Once the Pittsburgh Fire Department cleared the area, we were ushered back inside, and in true theater fashion, ‘the show must go on!’
The cast and crew did not miss a beat, metaphorically or literally, and continued with “Wade Suite.” This moving number, choreographed by Kirsten Ledford, LeeAnet Noble, and Paul Woodruff, featuring vocals by Brittny Smith and Ariel Dykes, along with local choir members, was performed in two parts and underscored the church’s role in helping African Americans survive in the South. Both the performers and the audience returned from the unexpected fire drill with an extra spark in their souls, one that transcended the stage and reached the back of the theater, making this already moving piece even more profound.
After a scheduled intermission, “Trane Suite” signifies the important role that the train played in the Great Migration, transporting African Americans to the North to start anew. Jakari Sherman choreographed movements one and two, and Mfoniso Akpan, Aseelah Allen, Dionne Eleby, Kevin Marr, and Jakari Sherman united to create the third movement.
Jakari Sherman’s piece “Chicago” concluded the show, representing African Americans’ new homes after the Great Migration when they finally arrived “up north.”
From its first moments to final steps, Step Afrika!’s The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence combines elements of traditional African culture to tell a story of pain, work, resilience, hope, and joy. Rhythm sticks provide a pulsating beat that penetrates one’s soul. The intense percussion of the djembe, juxtaposed with a backdrop depicting African American bodies in shackles and working in fields, offered a palpable sense of unimaginable struggle, but also the constant glimmer of hope. As the dancers executed traditional African choreography, body percussion, stepping, and contemporary dance, we were reminded that from despair comes community and a sense of tenacious hope. The rhythmic, up-tempo movement left the dancers in constant motion through the Great Migration and beyond. The sense of resilience depicted in each fluid dance movement represented the collective transformation that African Americans underwent during this time.
The gorgeous ensemble lifted us up in prayer with calls to the Lord, showing that with His guidance, anything is possible. Even when their drums were taken, they turned their bodies into percussive forces, never losing that sense of tenacious hope and devotion to the Lord. From hardship comes beauty. The traditional call-and-response engaged the audience with invigorating clapping patterns and uplifting chants, proving that when all else is gone, the beat cannot be stopped. Stunning vocals on the classic spiritual hymn “Wade in the Water” highlight the deeply rooted implications of the Great Migration today.
In addition to delivering a fiery performance, the ensemble put into practice the essence of community that they so beautifully depicted on stage. Throughout this past week, performers hosted workshops at both local public schools and the Hill Dance Academy, and they also hosted a sold-out matinee for students. Through performance and philanthropy, Step Afrika! instilled a sense of grit, resilience, and hope that can migrate bodies and spirits even in the darkest of times.
Pittsburgh Dance Council’s last concert of the season is A.I.M by Kyle Abraham
at the Byham Theater on May 9, 2026. Tickets at: https://trustarts.org/production/101602/aim-by-kyle-abraham
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
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