CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
GAIN is partnering with Steps on Broadway’s Repertory Ensemble, a contemporary dance company, and IKAPA Dance Theatre, a contemporary dance company located in Cape Town, South Africa. The theme of this partnership, “Peace & Reconciliation”, will be explored through:
• dance
• community outreach
• creation of a documentary
The project is divided into three Phases:
(1) Collaboration/Community Outreach (May 2010) – Two members of the Steps Repertory Ensemble, Sara Hoenes and Kyle Mullins, traveled to South Africa for 10 days to collaborate on the creation of a new work with members of IKAPA, choreographed by their Artistic Director, Theo Ndindwa. The Ensemble dancers also taught ballet and jazz in Ikapa’s outreach dance program, Imbewu yeKapa, to children in the townships of Gugulethu, Khayelitshe, Nyanga and Phillipi.
(2) Cultural Exchange (August/September 2010) – GAIN and Steps on Broadway will provide a scholarship for an IKAPA dancer to study at Steps on Broadway and be a guest artist with the Steps Repertory Ensemble. The Ensemble and the guest artist will premiere an excerpt of a new piece started during phase one in the annual Celebrate Dance Concert on September 15 & 16, 2010 at Riverside Theater in Manhattan. Tickets are $25 with student and senior discounts available (please check Steps on Broadway for further information).
(3) Co-Production/Community Outreach (December 2010) – GAIN, The Steps Repertory Ensemble, and IKAPA Dance Theatre will be part of the arts festival sponsored by Oude Libertas in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The concert will include work danced by IKAPA Dance, the Ensemble (choreographed by Andrea Miller, Donald Byrd and Cherice Barton) and the collaborative piece created during the two previous phases. Ensemble members will once again participate as teachers in Imbewu yeKapa.
Sara Hoenes teaching ballet in Township; Photo: C. Miles
Sara Hoenes teaching ballet in Township; Photo: C. Miles
Steps Repertory Ensemble, Celebrate Dance 2009, choreography: Karen Gayle
photo: E. Patino
IKAPA Dance Theatre, Stadium Performance
This program is made possible by a generous grant from Harkness Foundation for Dance, American Harlequin, Steps on Broadway, G&L Picard Family Foundation, Cable Audit Associates, and support from various individuals.
