ZAYO is a whisper remembering that we do not travel through this world alone; an ancestral presence guides us to have the courage to uncover who we are meant to be. ZAYO, is a memoir shaped by the lived experiences of visionary director and choreographer Esie Mensah, into an Afrofusion dance-theatre production about the courage needed to follow one’s calling and ancestral purpose. Conceived over eight years, the piece follows a young woman who is discovering her power as she exists between worlds and is tasked with confronting her fears to claim her power. Guided by her Ancestors, an embodied memory is awakened and a chosen destiny is embraced which reveals what it takes to step into one’s purpose and emerge transformed.

This exciting Esie Mensah Creations’ production centers Afrofusion choreography brought to life by co-set and costume designers Rachel Forbes and Jawon Kang, Lighting Design Simon Rossiter, Composition and Live Percussion by Yohance Francis Parsons I and Sound Design by Daniel Tessy. An exceptional company of dancers transform the stage into a living archive — of lineage, loss, resistance, and becoming. Mensah is committed to reimagining African storytelling for the contemporary stage, expanding how African narratives, bodies, and spiritual traditions are experienced today.

An Embodied Ritual

“ZAYO asks what we are willing to sacrifice in order to become our future selves.” — Esie Mensah

At the heart of the production is Esie Mensah’s signature Afrofusion choreography. By weaving together traditional and contemporary West African movement with modern dance and theatrical storytelling, the stage becomes a site of both memoir and ritual.

Through ZAYO, Esie reimagines African storytelling aesthetics, expanding the way African narratives, bodies, and spiritual traditions are experienced on the contemporary stage. It is a work rooted in ancestral memory, yet reaching boldly toward what is next.

Three Questions for the Soul

ZAYO invites the audience to look inward and ask:

What are you willing to sacrifice for your vision to come to life?
How do you learn to trust what you cannot yet see?
What does it mean to accept the destiny you have chosen for yourself?

Critical Acclaim

The journey of ZAYO has already captured the attention of critics across the globe:

“A thrilling blend of choreographic depth, rich performance, and great music.” — NOW Magazine
“Dynamic, richly detailed, and emotionally charged.” — LA Dance Chronicle
“A bold Afro-fusion dance-theatre work about destiny, self-discovery, and strength.” — BroadwayWorld

Meet the Creative Team

ZAYO is brought to life by a powerhouse ensemble and a visionary design team who have crafted an immersive world of sound and light.

Direction & Choreography: Esie Mensah
Dramaturgy: Tawiah Ben M’Carthy
Set & Costume Design: Rachel Forbes and Jawon Kang
Lighting Design: Simon Rossiter
Composition & Live Music: Yohance Francis Parsons I
Sound Design: Daniel Tessy
Performers: Rose-Mary Harbans, Esie Mensah, Kwasi Obeng-Adjei, Monique Pascall, Eilish 미정 Shin-Culhane, and JA.Marie
Production Manager: Sharon DiGenova
Stage Manager: Helin Gungoren
Rehearsal Director & Assistant Stage Manager: Zahra Badua
Understudies: Dwauntea Chambers, Helen Danae Suarez
Choreographic Assistant: Amelie Guista

Co-produced with dance Immersion, and presented by dance Immersion and TO Live.

About Esie Mensah

Esie Mensah is an award-winning choreographer, director, and TEDx speaker whose work operates at the intersection of performance and cultural elevation. From collaborating with global icons like Rihanna and Drake to movement direction at the Shaw and Stratford Festivals, Esie continues to center African diasporic storytelling and bold artistic vision on global stages.

Are you ready to answer the call? Stay tuned for upcoming performance dates and behind-the-scenes insights into the creation of ZAYO.