Deaf Dance Company needs your help

The military code among soldiers is 'Leave no man behind'. And because the saying applies to just about all areas of life, PAH! Deaf Dance Company is seeking assistance and support to keep the group active.

"Finance is our overall challenge. All our team members volunteer and currently we are in need of several areas in order to be fully functional," the founder, Stephanie McIntyre Groves, told THE STAR. Among those necessities is a proper dance space that is central, enclosed, preferably soundproof, well lit, with wooden flooring. "A secure travel stipend for our dancers would be great as well, because some of the members live in different parishes and are not working to make enough for additional travel," she added.

The troupe is also in need of dance tutors and additional deaf dancers. But its ultimate wish is to receive support the from the local dance community.

First of its Kind

The company is Jamaica's first dance troupe comprising the deaf and the hard of hearing, whose primary source of communication is Jamaica Sign Language. Founded by McIntyre Groves in 2018, she has been working assiduously with the deaf community for 15 years. The former dancer wanted to provide others with the positive creative outlet for artistic expression that she fell in love with.

"Passion is a language I relate to, and I just love when the dancers are passionate. Dance is also a language used to express and teach and, of course, bridge gaps between diverse persons," she said.

The dance group also functions as the philanthropic arm of the parent company, PAH! Bridging the Gap, which supplies Jamaican Sign Language training and interpreting services. The mission is to narrow that gap between the deaf and the hearing world.

Offering training and performances in modern contemporary, Afrobeat, dancehall, folk, gospel and jazz, PAH! Deaf Dance Company additionally trains dancers in the professional capacity. The company has made appearances on Smile Jamaica and Dancin' Dynamites, performed at Kingston Creative and Moon Palace, and represented the island at the BAIDFF International Deaf Dance Festival in California.

"Since COVID-19, we went online and we had international partners. Brandy, the unique deaf dancer and founder of Listen with Your Eyes Dance Troupe in the United States, and Emmanuel from Allopa Deaf Dance from Ghana, partnered with us and taught some of our classes. It was a rich cultural and technical exchange, and we are grateful for the experience," she added.

Hoping for More Support

McIntyre Groves hopes for 2021 to garner more support to improve techniques and flexibility, as well as represent the deaf culture.

"We hope for donations and partnerships to assist us in providing better quality services and training products for our deaf children and adults," she said. "We would love to participate in local and international videos and advertisements. And it is our dream for persons to believe in us and support our success in this field, as we want financial independence for our dancers."

To join the movement and contribute to the worthy cause, persons can reach out via Instagram: @pahdeafdancecompany Twitter: PAH_DeafDanceCo or call: 876-909-2533.