Dancical Productions, Inc.

Terrie Ajile Axam
Founder, Artistic Director

 

Celebrating of 40 years of artistic service

Proclamation presented in 2015

 

 

Total Dance/Dancical Productions, Inc.

During the past 40 years, Dancical Productions, Inc. home of Total Dance Programming (a non-profit corporation) has reached thousands of people from all walks of life locally, nationally and internationally. It has been very exciting to witness our growth from a small classroom space located in the Atlanta Arts Exchange to Rio Mall then the historical Auburn Studio Plex, to the city of Atlanta’s C.T Martin Natatorium, now at the South Fulton Southwest Arts Center and coming soon at the Total Dance/Axam Dance Studio.

Although many changes have taken place during our ongoing growth and development, we have remained committed to reaching a diversity of people while providing an avenue of enrichment and growth for each individual with whom we come in contact.

As a cultural artist and director of Total Dance/Dancical Productions, Inc., I view dance as a means of stimulating the mind, body and soul while providing an artistic outlet of self-expression. The uniqueness of  Mojah Dance Theatre formally Total Dance Company, rests in its power to perform modern, jazz, African, hip-hop and our primary technique “Mojah”. In addition, we present performances with a message and produce great dancers and great leaders.

Cultural arts can make a difference in the quality of one’s life. Time, energy, hard work and a wide array of support mechanisms cultivate the artistic side of each individual creating, in some, high energy, skill determination and greatness.

 

 

Mission Statement

Our mission is to train, produce and present technical and creative dancers, performers and
educators with a special emphasis on transformation, leadership and the celebration of African-American culture while sharing in diversity.

 

 

Philosophy

At Total Dance/Dancical Productions, Inc., we believe dance and the arts are fundamental components of society and should be available to all people.  We believe dance and the performing arts are powerful tools and should be used for making a positive change in the world, and not solely for entertainment.  We believe the essence of dance and the performing arts is to develop and create unity in one’s mind, body, and spirit. Our concern is founded in people and art; process and product; and the enrichment of the person through the art form.

 

Herstory

1972-1979: The concept of presenting dance as a creative Arts Educational form was conceived by Terrie Ajile Axam; Founder and Artistic Director of Dancical Productions, Inc., while pursuing her undergraduate degree at Princeton University and graduate degree from Rutgers University in creative arts education.

1979-1982: The Signature production Women Hold Up Half The Sky was created and premiered at the Macon Act Theatre, then The Grande Opera House of Macon Georgia, and toured Middle Georgia.

1980-1983: Ajile opened the doors of Kumba Arts Studio, across from the Macon City Hall Building in Macon, Georgia. The studio served over 500 people providing professional instruction in experimental theatre dance and the performing arts.

1981: The Macon Branch of the NAACP identified Director Terrie Ajile Axam on August 1st as an influential and outstanding woman in the plight of human dignity.

1983- 1985: Total Dance Theatre was founded in Atlanta, Georgia.  Housed at MLK Middle School and later in a classroom space in the Atlanta Arts Exchange, the program involved arts education and performance arts with meaningful messages.

1989: Moved to a storefront in Southwest Atlanta.  The company was involved in the Fulton County Arts Council artist and school program, outdoor festivals, and other cultural events throughout Fulton County and Metro Atlanta.

1990-1992: The organization expanded and relocated to the classy Rio Mall in Midtown, Atlanta. With increased enrollment and participation, Total Dance relocated to a large loft space in downtown Atlanta and continued to perform locally in schools, major theatres, and other cultural events.

1990-1993: Total Dance became a partner in education with Tri-Cities Magnet Arts High School in supporting the development of their dance department.

1991: 10th Annual Black College Dance Exchange presented Director Terrie Ajile Axam, The Atlanta Trailblazer Award and the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority awarded her the Ms. Fine Arts Woman of The Year Award.

1992: Total Dance Company became a part of Dancical Productions, an Arts Education & Entertainment Corporation with a mission to reach more youth and adults in classes, workshops, and performances to bring about a positive change.

1992– Mayor Maynard Jackson proclaimed March 20th The Total Dance Theatre, Inc. Day for the presentation of Women Hold Up Half The Sky.

1993-1994: The professional company was selected as U.S. Ambassadors to tour The People’s Republic of China (Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou). This artistic endeavor was supported by the City of Atlanta, inclusive but not limited to: Xernona Clayton, Vice-President of Urban Affairs of Turner Broadcasting at that time, Bunnie Jackson-Ransom, President and CEO of First-Class Inc. Total Dance/Dancical Productions, Inc., artistic programs expanded to include the development of TDT Esprit Youth Company, and an Adult Performing Arts Program.

1994-1997: Vagabond Productions/Speech of Arrested Development and Total Dance/Dancical Productions, Inc., produced “Fusion”, from Africa to Hip Hop, a national college tour. By popular demand, three original college invitations became over 150 performances.

1998: Total Dance/ Dancical Productions, Inc. tour production, “Fusion” was selected to perform in Senegal, West Africa. This cultural program included TDT Esprit (Youth Company).

1999: Total Dance moved to the Historical Auburn Avenue Studio Plex.

2000: In order to become more integrated into our community, Total Dance moved into southwest Atlanta on Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr.

2003: With the support of Mayor Shirley Franklin and Councilman C. T. Martin, we relocated under the City of Atlanta to the new Adamsville Recreation Center (renamed the C.T. Martin Natatorium and Recreation Center) serving as Company-in-Residence and pilot arts program.

2011-2012: Restaging of Women Hold Up Half the Sky at The Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania and the historic Douglass Theatre in Macon, Georgia.

2001-2013: Director Terrie Ajile Axam, designed dance programming for Fulton County School System.

2008-2019:  Director Terrie Ajile Axam, served as a short-termed distinguished visiting professor of Pennsylvania State University.

2010: Director Terrie Ajile Axam served as guest instructor for Federal University of Vicosa Minas Gerais, Brazil.

2012 – Continue to present annually: 1. Fusion from Africa to Hip Hop renamed Girl Why You Dance Like That? 2. Black History Month Tour 3. Spring Concert; and 4. The Mojah Dance Conference and Festival.

2012: Director Terrie Ajile Axam served as guest choreographer at Georgia State University.

2018: City of South Fulton recognized Founder Director on April 24th, Terrie Ajile Axam Appreciation Day for the celebration of African American Culture and Artistry. Mayor Deana Holiday Ingram Mayor of the City of East Point and City Council recognized on May 6th founder Terrie Ajile Axam on her artistic contributions to the community.

2022: Mayor Lester Miller of Macon Georgia proclaimed June 18th Terrie Ajile Axam Day for her gift of
her pioneering teaching of African and Modern dance to the Bibb County Community.