HERO OF THE DANCEBERYL MCBURNIEBy Michael Alexander Choreographer, Dance teacher, Folklorist born: 1915 Woodbrook, Trinidad. Died: March 2000. Having left Trinidad in 1938 to study Education and Eurhythmics at Columbia University, Mc Burnie returned in 1940 and presented her first show - "A Trip Through the Tropics". In 1947, she founded the internationally recognised Little Carib Theatre, which later hosted the Trinidad Theatre Workshop directed by Derek Walcott, during its formative years. The theatre was the breeding ground for new dance troupes. The Arawak Dance Company (San Fernando), the Killarney Dance Group (Tobago) and the Oya Kari Dance Company led by Molly Ahye all emerged from the Little Carib Theatre. Beryl McBurnie has been recognised both locally and internationally for her contribution to Caribbean dance. Internationally, she was bestowed an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) award and honoured in 1978 by the Alvin Ailey Dance Company for her contribution to American dance. Locally, she was awarded the Humming Bird Gold medal in 1969 and an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws by the University of the West Indies in 1976. She was subsequently awarded the Trinity Cross in 1989. |