The ensemble La Troupe Makandal evokes the power of traditional Afro-Haitian music and dance to represent the history and culture of Haiti and New York’s Haitian community in theaters and educational establishments, and to archive these cultural treasures for posterity. A leading force over decades was Frisner Augustin, who was it's artistic director from the beginning until his death 2012. Much of the company’s repertory derives from the sacred music and dance of Vodou, widely misunderstood in the United States as “voodoo.” The Troupe’s workshops, classes, performances, and online resources challenge ingrained stereotypes, and they keep Haitian magic alive while educating, entertaining, and healing racial and cultural divisions.