The Rehearsal: Photograph by Will Tenney

The Rehearsal

While their regular rehearsal building was under reconstruction (along with most of the rest of Havana!) this dance troupe had to find alternative rehearsal space. They found a space at the school for the deaf, outside in the hot sun, where they rehearsed for hours. The dance they were rehearsing was a “folklorico” story about the period of Cuba's history when French land owners fled Haiti in 1803, coming to Eastern Cuba with their slaves. Here, the men are lined up, acting like the French land owners (the costumes they would eventually wear for the performance had lace sleeves and high neck-ruffles) dancing a line dance popular in late 18th and early 19th century Europe.