ZATRAP
HAITI TRAUMA
Presented by
Showcase Haiti Inc. &
NickyNick World Productions
DATE: 4/29/2023
TIME: 6:00 PM
ADM: $30
LOCATION:
Queens Theatre
14 United Nations Ave. S
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
Queens NY, 11368
INFO & INQUIRIES
Sponsors welcome
718.909.6169
571.278.5576
OCTOBER 1806
the NEWLY CONSTITUED NATION of AYITI navigates a very treacherous path between unlimited hope and great APPREHENSION.
Jean-Jacques Dessalines, now emperor Jacques Premier faces the dilemma of attending to the conflicting needs and expectations of the land's different social groups. The soldiers are exhausted and yet have to be maintained in sharp fighting condition in anticipation of a potential return of napoleon's army. The peasants are burdened with hard work and have yet to see any real reward. Mistrust is creeping among the generals and within the emperor's own entourage. The mulattos in the southern region are incensed by what they perceive as Dessalines' arrogance. While the assassination of general Francois Capoix sends a clear signal that a macabre web is being laid, an overconfident emperor Jacques Premier chose to ignore the recommendations of his inner circle. wanting to start a process of reconciliation with the citizens of the south, he rides right into a deadly trap with a feeble escort of 20 men.
Has the curse of Dessalines' blood transformed Ayiti's destiny into a vicious maze?
Although centered around Dessalines' assassination, the play considers the plight of the peasant class represented by the dancers who express the masses' moments of joy, apprehension, confusion, disillusion and hope!
THE SHOW IS PULSING AND ENERGETIC!
It's a perfect harmony between words and choreographed rhythm delivered with style and wit.
SINGER | ACTOR | DIRECTOR⸻
JEAN-CLAUDE EUGENE
Jean-Claude Eugene's artistic talent was already evident in the 1 970's when, as a student at the College Notre-Dame (CND) du Cap Haitien, Haiti, he impressed audiences with his acting and singing abilities. Under the direction of Marcel Bedard, a Sorbonne trained priest and scholar, Jean-Claude performed lead parts in numerous Haitian and French plays by Dominique Hyppolite, Jacques Roumain, Racine, Moliere, etc... In addition to his acting, Jean Claude simultaneously pursued substantial musical training and taught French literature.
Jean-Claude studied Economics and International Finance at Pace University in New York, the New York Institute of Banking and Johns Hopkins University in Washington D.C. to bolster his "other" professional life as an International Financial Analyst for The Ex-Im Bank, an U.S. federal agency.
At the forefront of the music world with eight albums, numerous concerts, tours and interviews, Jean-Claude is a very versatile singer-composer, lending shape to the different moods of the human soul. The essence of life on his native land in artistic works that are universal, timeless, and "absolute". His music can be described as a balanced mix of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and ballads supported by classical and jazz progressions. Jean-Claude's acting credits include his screen debut as Jean in Raoul Peck's first movie "Haitian Corner", the May 2003 performance at Carnegie Hall in the musical "The Treasure of Toussaint", a December 2004 performance at New York's Lincoln Center in the musical "How Papa Noel Forgot Haiti" and his latest participation as Bruno in the first Haitian musical movie " Madame ou Mademoiselle" that he co-directed. After moving to the Washington DC area in 1993, Jean-Claude created "Theatre Mapou", with a group of very talented local actors. Under his artistic direction, the group performed "Gouverneurs de la Rosee", "Antigone" "Mouche Defas" and other plays in the U.S. and Canada. Having taken theater classes at Pace University, Jean-Claude honed his skills in acting and directing at the Studio Theater Conservatory of Washington.
"Zatrap", the original name for "Haiti Trauma" is the first play entirely conceived and written by Jean-Claude Eugene.
CHOREOGRAPHER⸻
JESSICA ST. VIL
Jessica is a graduate of Lehman College, where she received her B.A. in Mass Communications and Dance.
She thus continued her training with a partial scholarship from the Alvin Ailey School's professional division.
Jessica teaches classes and gives workshops in Ballet, Modern, and Afro-Caribbean dance.
Some of her teaching credits include Pratt Institute, the NAACP, and the Dance New England Foundation in Maine.
She currently works as a teaching artist for the Alvin Ailey arts in education program. Jessica is also one of the co-founders of “Danse Xpressions” center for the performing arts
and the artistic director of KaNu Dance Theater. She has worked with many choreographers such as Christopher Huggins, Martial Roumain, Marcea Daiter, Sean Curran, Kayoko Sakoh, Kwame Ross, and Dyane Harvey.
She has worked and performed with several dance theater companies, such as Feet of Rhythm, The Joan Peter’s Dance Company, Vissi Dance Theater, Tamboula D’ayiti, Opus Dance Theater, the Rod Rodgers dance company, and National Ballet Folkloric of Haiti (BFH).
Jessica worked in collaboration with Unimix films; choreographing a short film titled “One More Try” and their newest award-winning feature film "Forever Yours". She was honored in Washington DC by the National Museum of Women and the Haitian Embassy for her accomplishments in dance and for her continued dedication to Haitian art and culture. In addition to being a teaching artist with the Ailey school, Jessica worked as a guest choreographer this past year at both "Brooklyn Friends School" and "Educational Center for the Arts" in North Haven Connecticut teaching dance classes and choreography about social justice through dance.
Most recently she worked in collaboration with playwright and musician "Jean-Claude Eugene" choreographing his latest work "Zatrap" Haititrauma. Currently, Miss St. Vil is working in conjunction with the Lincoln Center Performing Arts Library.
Choreographing a work that will honor the late "Jean Leon Destine". Jessica is extremely grateful for all the opportunities she has been given and aspires to continue to enrich her life and the lives of others through the arts.
