“To me, Vwayaj felt like poetry in motion, bringing back and soothing the memories of adversities and victories in my biography as a Haitian immigrant to the U.S. Vwayaj also felt like a spiritual journey on wings of love, courage and beauty. I think it’s a must-see for each of us who has experienced migration — and who, as such, is often seen as “other.” In the midst of today’s virulent anti-immigrant campaigns, Vwayaj welcomes us in our new country — our new homes — and invites us to dissolve boundaries, so we can build and share community together.”

“My favorite part of dancing with the professional company is watching them perform on stage and in class. The passion and stories the dancers showcase greatly inspires me to strive to be the best dancer I can be, and after seeing the company members dance for the first time I immediately was determined to work harder so that I could be on a similar caliber as them one day.”

“Vwayaj speaks compellingly of our many journeys, both internal and external, many difficult—while simultaneously addressing the ways we are grounded, connected, and ultimately transnational. The type of tensions and questions explored in Vwayaj are ones that exist in real-time, making this piece of choreography an art of witness, as well as a catalyst for the important conversations we all need to have.

Through its brilliant braiding of new music, new media, and contemporary and traditional dance in performance, JAE is doing the vital work of propelling Haitian dance into the future—and into the world.”

“Under the skilled story-telling of Jean Appolon, Vwayaj captures the tension between the yearning to go somewhere new, but still hanging on to what makes a place your home. The immigrant tales told in dance and spoken word are a powerful testament to the creative force that immigrants have brought to America. Would that some of our political leaders could see Vwayaj and learn from it.”