Photo: Ken Carl

Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre
Peter Martin Wege Theatre, Grand Rapids
Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.
$20 kids, $25 seniors, $30 adults
grballet.com, (616) 454-4771
deeplyrootedproductions.org

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the human body in motion must count for much more than that. Through the medium of dance, emotions and stories can be told without a word, as exemplified by the Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre.

Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre is a Chicago-based dance company whose very name invokes a past and rich history that is the focus of its production. The group performs choreography based on African-American traditions of storytelling in a contemporary modern dance style.

As part of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company's effort to explore a variety of dance forms, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre is coming to West Michigan. Though ballet is not typically connected with African-American dance, both the GR Ballet Company and Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre strive to inspire dialogue and engagement among viewers. Dance is "not just movement for movement's sake; it's about expressing an idea," said Artistic Director Iega Jeff.

Deeply Rooted's themes frequently highlight African-American stories, but they also include universal ideas that many people can connect with. The 2006 production "Ferrotype" focused on everyday life for the average person, while other issues that Deeply Rooted has addressed include depression, HIV/AIDS, civil war, famine, and self-discovery. Every now and then, however, the humor in life is presented as well.

"We are about entertaining...[in addition to] dance and beauty and fun and happiness," Jeff said.

Jeff, and now associate artistic director Gary Abbott, started the group in 1995 "as a vehicle for personal growth and self-actualization through the medium of dance," and most performers and viewers would have to agree.