Esie has produced several productions and films under company Esie Mensah Creations. Esie Mensah Creations is a vibrant dance and theatre company committed to creating work that reflects her community. Under the direction of Esie Mensah, this company has been operating for over 7 years and continues to speak the stories of the community and promote conversation through art.
Esie is committed to bringing a new fresh genre of dance into the industry. Afrofusion is her own unique style of dance that includes movements from Traditional and Contemporary African, Commercial, Urban and Contemporary styles. The company’s repertoire includes Tessel, A Revolution of Love, A Table at the Table, Akoma, Zayo and Shades.
SHADES
Original Production
Available to book:
Dance Umbrella of Ontario,
Miranda Forbes
miranda@danceumbrella.net
TESSEL
Digital Film
Watch Now
A Revolution of Love
Digital Short Film
Watch It Now
ZAYO
Original Production
Watch preview
A Seat At the Table
Available to present
Dance Umbrella of Ontario,
Miranda Forbes
miranda@danceumbrella.net
AKOMA
Original Production
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Digital Film
TESSEL
TESSEL is a national initiative conceptualized by Dora-nominated choreographer and dancemaker Esie Mensah (Shades, A Revolution of Love), co-produced by Fall for Dance North and Harbourfront Centre, along with 19 national co-presenters. It features the stories of 14 pioneering Black artists from across Canada, exploring the complexities of diverse movement and voice as a form of resilience.
“What began as a 7-hour discussion between 14 Black dance artists from across the country, has been beautifully distilled down into a spiritual calling, a tessellated journey through the cycles of healing. This film has taught me to trust the voice that I have within. As a choreographer, the industry can place limitations on who you are even though the vision you have for yourself is so much greater. I’ve been spending many years doing the work to unveil myself as an artist whose creations can shift across disciplines. TESSEL is a reflection of my artistic work and my commitment to share the stories we need and not the stories we want. I am grateful to have done this with 13 artists that trusted me to bring this vision forward.
The necessity to share our voices and not just our bodies is how we ensure these artists feel heard and seen. You will see each of us dance in our respective styles: together, apart; unapologetically, emotionally, and truthfully. Hear us speak to one another; harmonizing, calling in, and lifting one another. This film is intended to be a journey towards change, an archival of Canadian Black excellence, and a sliver of truth that many have not been privy to. May you watch with an open heart, mind and spirit and allow the journey of TESSEL to wash over you like water.”
– Esie Mensah
This film is currently only licensed in Canada
To showcase or have Tessel premiere in your country please send an email to: info@esiemensah.com
Watch TESSEL here
Original Production
SHADES
SHADES re-examines the wound that is colourism – prejudice against a person based on the fairness, or darkness of their skin colour – and how it inflicts on the Black community, specifically undoing the stitches in Mensah’s and six other dancers’ personal lives. Set against choreography and text, SHADES breaks the code of silence, compelling the audience to face how such brutality, whether on a global scale with colonization, or an offhand remark from a loved one, permeates generations.
“This production has gone through many iterations but was always led by the spiritual guidance of my ancestors. Discovering as I went along to understand how to create a dance theatre work about shadeism. I give thanks to my dancers for their bravery to realize their truth in a way I never expected it.” – Esie Mensah
This show is available for tour &/or to present.
For more information on how to book SHADES please contact:
Miranda Forbes
Dance Umbrella of Ontario
t: 416.504.6429×24 | miranda@danceumbrella.net
Original Production
A SEAT AT THE TABLE
“my hope is that this piece opens up new possibilities of what accountability and healing can look like.” – Esie Mensah
A Seat at the Table is an ode to the complexities and realities of the Black experience. A solo performance created by Esie Mensah as a response to the tragedies on Black bodies and the global call to action towards accountability. However, change is never easy. The baggage that gets placed on our bodies is everlasting unless we make a choice to let go. A Seat at the Table was first conceived through a Canadian Stage and SummerWorks festival co-production under the original name Can you Trust Me?. In October, 2021 the second iteration of the work premiered at Impact Festival in Kitchener, Ontario.
This show is available to book.
For more information on how to book A SEAT AT THE TABLE please contact:
Miranda Forbes
Dance Umbrella of Ontario
t: 416.504.6429×24 | miranda@danceumbrella.net
Digital Film
A REVOLUTION OF LOVE
A Revolution of Love is a digital short film that follows a young Black woman as she grapples with the histories of her ancestors and the present-day violence ravaging her community, and begins to imagine what her future looks like through dance. Conceived by an internationally recognized Black creative team and featuring the words of Assata Shakur, this piece spotlights 15 women of varying shades as they come together to re-frame revolution in the name of love. Filmed at Toronto’s Fort York National Historic Site in partnership with Soulpepper Theatre Company
This film is available to be presented.
For more information on how to book A Revolution of Love please contact: info@esiemensah.com
Watch It Here
Original Production
ZAYO
ZAYO is a memoir of dancer, choreographer and creative director Esie Mensah. This piece uses movement and dance to showcase the obstacles and challenges Esie has faced throughout her artistic career. It is a piece that pays respect and gratitude towards her mentors who have helped guide her along her journey. The combined elements of Esie’s drive and determination along with the encouragement of her mentors helped shape Esie into the person who she is today.
Along with being a memoir, Zayo is also an ode to Africa with the exploration of Esie’s Afrofusion movement in a new, fresh and contemporary way. In the show her mentors will manifest in the form of tribes that would test her physical, mental and emotional strength. The spirit of ZAYO (means future in Zulu) is homage to honour her ancestors. It’s to honour her guides from across the globe. A channel of strength, love and dedication for the people that need to hear it
This show is also available to book.
For more information on how to book ZAYO please contact:
Miranda Forbes
Dance Umbrella of Ontario
t: 416.504.6429×24 | miranda@danceumbrella.net
Original Production
AKOMA
Akoma is a tale of two Ghanaians one born in Ghana the other in Canada, who are on a journey towards discovery and understanding their place in the world. The creative director Esie Mensah incorporated her own personal experience along with others from the diaspora to create a storyline that is engaging and resonates with audience members alike.
Choreographed, written and directed by critically acclaimed dancer Esie Mensah, AKOMA: The Journey Into The Heart of Africa is a cultural dance theatre event. Showcasing the journey of one young man’s voyage from Ghana to Canada it tells a story relatable to many immigrants.
Leaving home in pursuit of his dream, the main character, played by Percy Anane- Dwumfour, struggles with the decision to stay abroad or to return home. His decision may not be one his mother agrees with, but it takes him on a journey of self-discovery, unearthing his family legacy and own cultural identity.
At its core this is a heartfelt success story of an immigrant, a story of perseverance and faith depicting in essence what it means to be Canadian.
Supported By
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D53VOzPF8H4