Dance company to premier motion picture ‘Nine’

Praize Productions, Inc., a Bronzeville Dance Company, will premiere its theatrical dance motion picture, “Nine,” on April 2 at House of Hope. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY VANESSA ABRON
Praize Productions, Inc., a Bronzeville Dance Company, will premiere its theatrical dance motion picture, “Nine,” on April 2 at House of Hope. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY VANESSA ABRON

Dance company to premier motion picture ‘Nine’

By Tia Carol Jones

Praize Productions, Inc., a Bronzeville Dance Company, was set to perform their annual Spring theatrical production in March of 2020. Then, COVID-19 hit and they had to postpone the production. Now, PPI is back to show the production, which they have turned into the film, “Nine.” It will be shown at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, at the House of Hope, located at 752 E. 114th St.

Enneressa Davis is the CEO and founder of Praize Productions, Inc., an arts-based organization located in the Bronzeville community. It was founded 11 years ago, with the mission to provide arts education and opportunities to youth and adults through a holistic approach. Within the organization, there is the RIZE Performing Arts Academy, the RIZE Pro-Elite professional dance company and the RIZE Youth Company, as well as other outreach programs.

The annual theatrical production weaves dance, spoken word, visual arts, live music and singing. The youth dancers and the professional dancers perform in the production. The filming of “Nine” began December of 2020 and wrapped up June 2021, at different locations in Chicago.

“We took this opportunity to press forward with our arts and talents and went into a new space of filmmaking,” Davis said.
“Nine” is the ninth theatrical production for Praize Productions, Inc. Davis said the number nine also symbolizes birthing, forgiveness, awakening, love and enlightenment. Those elements are present throughout the film. The entire cast lived through those themes as they were filming.

“The emotion really translates on screen, because it wasn’t acting, it wasn’t faking. When we had certain pieces going through these emotions, the dancers and the artists were actually feeling that because we were still in the middle of the pandemic,” Davis said.

Davis hopes people get the feeling of perseverance, which is really the story of “Nine.” Also, they are left with hope and inspiration watching the film. There is a cast of 60 who forged forward to make sure the vision came forth.

For Davis, April 2nd will be a day of celebration. For the organization, which consists of people of color, who made it through two years of a pandemic, Davis sees it as a blessing.  They want to celebrate with the community, which is why they chose House of Hope.

Davis believes that with the theme “Nine” having so many meanings, people will be able to connect to the theme that resonates with them the most. Praize Productions, Inc., is socially conscious and rooted in ensuring their message connect to the people, the community and the Black culture.

“I felt like this message was very important. Although I meant it for one space, for the stage, now that we morphed it into a film, I see that really, it was always meant to be a movie,” Davis said. “I don’t think now, looking at the work, the meaning is so impactful and so heavy, I don’t think it would’ve translated on stage. I think it was purposeful for us to reimagine it as a motion picture.”

After “Nine” premieres on April 2nd, it is Davis’ wish to pitch it to streaming services and take it to film festivals. The hope is for it to be bigger and be seen by a larger audience.

For more information about Praize Productions, Inc., and to purchase tickets to “Nine,” visit www.praizeproductions.com.

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