FUNK 2009

Ten year celebration for firm favourite on the Midlands annual school production calendar.

Funk continues to generate tremendous excitement and has become a firm favourite on the annual school production calendar.

The production evolved as an idea to create a dance programme for schools with very specific aims. Firstly to unite schools in working towards a common goal; secondly to give Drama students and their teachers the opportunity to create and rehearse pieces of dance theatre for public performance; thirdly, and perhaps most importantly of all, to enable young people to see that movement, dance and dance theatre is accessible to them and not only in the hands of professional adult dance companies.

The task for each school remains constant: to create a 5-7 minute piece of dance choreography integrating any type of musical or textual accompaniment.

The programme accommodates a range of choreographic and performance possibilities and provides the perfect opportunity for schools to experiment with new forms. It is also important to emphasize that this platform is not a competition, and should not be seen in the same light as a sports festival or inter-house competition. Every piece on the programme is valued for its individual form and style and the overall contribution that it makes to the programme's diversity. The highlight of the production is always the mass group Finale which incorporates all the schools together in one choreography.

The eleven schools participating this year are: Alexandra High, Epworth, GHS, Grace College, Hilton College, Howick High, Maritzburg College, Russell High, St Anne’s Diocesan College, St Johns DSG and St Nicholas.

Funk is produced by The Theatre – St Anne’s College and The Hilton College Theatre, directed by Lynn Chemaly with technical design by David Muller, Finale creation by Anton Immelman, and production administration by Doreen Stanley and Sheryl Hodkin.

Funk 2009 runs from May 9 to 13 at 19h30 in the Hilton College Theatre. Bookings on 033 383 0126.