The 8th Annual So-Cal Dance Invitational

A Review

By Jeff Slayton, LA Dance Chronicle | March 26, 2019

EVERY SOLDIER HAS A STORY was first seen on the 30th Anniversary concert of the Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre. It was then and now a dramatic and powerful tribute to the men and women who sacrifice so much to protect this nation. Conceived by Brodie, sections were choreographed by Brodie and Company; others by Stephanie Maxim, and Erica Villalpando. The work took us through the recruits first encounter with armed services massive paperwork and bureaucracy, boot camp training drills, the loneliness of deportment, the struggles of maintaining relationships, the horrors of battle and the struggles veterans face when they return and try to assimilate back into society. The work incorporated short film projections to help create some of these environments, but the movement clearly spoke to the subject. One of the most poignant film sections was the final one that showed veteran Charles Henry Williams telling his story of enduring the Jim Crow era and racism aboard a naval ship.  

Brodie paid a beautiful tribute to our veterans without glorifying war or taking anyone’s side on the issue. Her strong cast and members of Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre included Priya Chisti, Evyn Davis, AJ Dirickson, Dennzyl Green, Rebecca Martin, Stephanie Maxim, Megan McLean, Matthew Reiner, Teresa Rios, Jennie Sustaita, Jana Taylor, and Erica Villalpando. Videos were created by KP Wilson, and Javier Armijo. Speakers in the videos included Trenton Brodie and Nannette Brodie. Costumes were designed by Nannette Brodie.