Rebecca Thomas: Conversing Through Dance

The Spanish artform of flamenco, seen more recently in pop-culture thanks to performers such as Rosalia, has seen a rise in attention for its unique sound, emotional undertones and rich cultural history. Rebeca Tomas, a New York flamenco artist, is taking this artistic genre to an even deeper level in her upcoming performance Fieras. Her dance company, A Palo Seco,  will debut the work-in-process on September 29 at the David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center at Pocantico Center (DR Center) in Tarrytown.

Originating in Southern Spain, Flamenco utilizes four key elements, Cante (Voice), Baile (Dance), Toque (Guitar) and the Jaleo, which roughly translates to ‘hell raising,’ and involves handclapping, foot stomping and shouts of encouragement. These elements create a passionate spectacle for anyone to take part in – performer and audience alike. Having lived abroad in Spain for a total of eight years and studying at internationally renowned Flamenco Academy Amor de Dios, Tomas expresses herself through her craft and the Flamenco tradition.

She explains:“I fell in love with the culture and the dance. Flamenco is how I think; it’s my artistic vocabulary. The way I see and envision expression is through choreography.”

After performing and touring with various companies, she founded A Palo Seco in 2010,  directing and performing in numerous original productions, including her upcoming Fieras performance.

Tomas is using her spirit and focus on female empowerment – merging tradition and composition through the exploration of the issue of domestic violence. Fiera is a Spanish and, more specifically, Flamenco expression that Tomas translates as  “a fierce female energy full of power and force.”

“So much of my work is centered around female empowerment and issues relating to women,” she states. “This energy of rising up and enduring in the face of adversity is infused throughout this performance, while simultaneously examining the issue of domestic violence in our society.”

With a female-only cast, Fieras weaves through powerful ensemble performances and reflective duets. It features not just music, but unique instrumentation, factual soundbites, and accounts from victims and survivors of domestic abuse. All of these accounts are as a result of Tomas partnering closely with Hope’s Door, a Westchester-based shelter for domestic violence survivors.

Tomas explains: “I’m not trying to give a voice to those who have one already, but rather for those who don’t feel like they can speak up. With an open panel discussion at the end of the show, I’m hoping to open up a conversation so that this issue is not spoken about in hushed whispers.”

Tomas is careful to speak about a sensitive topic with passion and empathy, as people whom she met and knows in her personal life have experienced this heavily stigmatized issue. With Fieras, Tomas says she wants to promote social awareness by presenting the work in a poignant and emotionally engaging manner at the highest artistic level.

“I’m hoping that this performance can both raise awareness and open communication lines [about the topic], and that the audience can be encouraged to engage in dialogue and enact positive social change.”

Julia Herceg is a graduate of Parsons School of Design with a BFA in Communication Design. Born and raised in New York, she is currently an Communications and Development Intern at ArtsWestchester