The Astor Johnson Repertory Dance Theatre

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The Astor Johnson Repertory Dance Theatre The Astor Johnson Repertory Dance Theatre of Trinidad and Tobago was founded in 1972 by the late Astor Johnson

A Brief History of Astor Johnson and the Repertory Dance Theatre

Astor Johnson had a dream - a dream of establishing a dance company which embodied a powerful contemporary Caribbean style. In his own right, Astor came to be recognized as one of the foremost dance figures in the region, having studied and danced with Rupert de Suzay and Julia Edwards in Trinidad, and Erika Thimey's Dance Theatre and the Dance Theatre of Harlem in the United States, among others. In 1972, his dream of a Caribbean company was realized when a group of dancers from various companies, schools and traditions decided to share their knowledge and points of view at weekly dance workshops in Port of Spain, Trinidad. With the evolution of these weekly workshops came the birth of the Repertory Dance Theatre. As the name suggests, the company works in consistently repertory style, thereby protecting and conserving dance works that can be developed and matured into treasured works of artistic expression. The company has also enabled dancers to work with various choreographers and in varying styles, thus broadening their vocabulary and scope. Astor also saw the importance of having good teachers and year-round classes so as to maintain a high standard of performance and consequently give aspiring dancers a goal towards which to work. Under Astor's leadership as artistic director and resident choreographer, the Repertory Dance Theatre evolved into a company which embraces a series of statements, expressions and themes which reflects the Caribbean personality and problems peculiar to the region. From "Graveyard to the Living" a study on human isolation, to "Kyo", which reflects the rhythms of the universe, to "Fusion" Astor's signature piece which superimposes contemporary and jazz movement onto traditional African steps, the company emphasizes that universal themes can be successfully dealt with via the essence of our ethnic dance traditions, the inventive and conventional movements arising out of the modern dance point of view and, of course, those important rhythmic vibrations found only in this part of the world. In addition to local performances, the Repertory Dance Theatre has had the pleasure of sharing its work with others in different parts of the world. The company has toured Guyana, Haiti, Dominica, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Canada, Martinique, French Guiana, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Despite Astor's death in 1985, the objectives of the company remain the same - to continue research into our folkloric traditions, to expose our work nationally and internationally, and above all, to cement ourselves as a people through the medium of dance, our most natural form of self-expression. - From http://www.astorjohnsondance.com/history.htm

What did Mighty Sparrow & Astor of The Astor Johnson Repertory Dance Theatre have in common?
06/10/2026

What did Mighty Sparrow & Astor of The Astor Johnson Repertory Dance Theatre have in common?

Being born in Trinidad, you understand and acknowledge a few things:
although some may disagree (and not many 😉), the truth is that Trinidadians are the originators and curators of a good party…’the fete’ as we like to call it!
And if there was a crowned Godfather of that ‘party’ life, it would be, The Mighty Sparrow.
Yes, that is/was his stage name!

My mother, aunts, uncles, grandfather, the entire island danced to his music. My mother will tell you that she has rolled her hips a few times too many to his songs. That rolling would get her in quite a bit of trouble with her father…who, when she wasn’t looking (and even when she was…😆), would do his own hip rolling (whining, we call it!) 😀!

Sparrow penned hundreds of songs…infectious songs…and sang thousands more. Rhythms I would dare you not to tap a toe, or move even an inch of your body to! Songs causing generations of people differing in location, culture, and age to dance, sing, revel, and release themselves. It’s pretty amazing what music can do.

He passed away last week at 91. And upon hearing the news, I found myself nostalgic for the music of the island. So, for the past few days, I have been working out and running to calypso music. His. Machel Montano’s. David Rudder’s. And so many others who have now walked in, and widened the steps he left.
A little side note: It’s great running music.

As I listened to Sparrow, I wasn’t just struck by the way he used music and lyrics to talk about Trinidad, the Caribbean, its people, the times, our culture, his life, his death, his misbehavior, some untoward topics at times, the beauty (and sometimes the ugliness…) of Caribbean women…but I was also struck by his voice; he had a beautiful, tuned, nuanced voice. Sinatra-esque! I bet he could sing anything!

The music world lost one of the greatest musical calypsonians of the age! But in true legend fashion…the imprint doesn’t die…it continues on!!

It’s rooted deep within our Caribbean bellies 😉!

05/10/2026

Rep says Thank You!
We are so grateful.

05/10/2026

Our drummers and musicians played their hearts out tonight!

04/10/2026

Last night tonight!

One last time. 🌿✨ Branches closes tonight at 6 PM. See you at Queen’s Hall.Tickets available online via the Queen’s Hall...
04/10/2026

One last time. 🌿✨ Branches closes tonight at 6 PM. See you at Queen’s Hall.

Tickets available online via the Queen’s Hall website or at the box office.

Photos Meraki Production Studios
Photographer Nikyiel Dublin

03/10/2026

Branches opens tomorrow night. Get your tickets! You don’t want to miss this!

📍 Queen’s Hall
🗓️ Saturday, October 3 | 7 PM
🎟️ Tickets available online via the Queen’s Hall website

02/10/2026

A celebration of we. 🇹🇹✨

Have you got your tickets yet?

Zidane Roopnarine presents his vibrant new work filled with rhythm, movement, and the unmistakable spirit of Trinidad & Tobago.

A reflection of our people, our energy, and the culture that lives in us. ❤️💃🏽

02/10/2026

Where is Candy?! 👀
Lori still can’t get through to her about those tickets… but if there’s ONE thing Lori knows, it’s that Candy would never miss a Rep show. 😌
…right? 👀

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PO Box 3330
Diego Martin

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