(Above: Sifiso Kweyama conducts a workshop)
Recent news from acclaimed choreographer/dancer Vusi Makhana, who runs the KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre, states: ”As we are waving in to a new month, we are excited to host an African Contemporary Dance Workshop and Choreography. with renowned international dance Choreographer, Teacher and Performing Artist, Sifiso Kweyama.
“We are excited for his returns home. In 2020, Mr Kweyama decided to return to his roots in KZN to be with his family and help his rural community in various projects where he now runs his own organisation called Yabantu Multipurpose and Performing Arts Theatre. Mr Kweyama will run this workshop in townships of KwaMashu with the KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre.
“We Invite all those who wish to learn from this incredible teacher to join us every Friday from 09h00 to 15h00 to make a reservation for your spot.”
The aim of this workshop is to prepare dancers for performance production with performers, by equipping dancers with the tools and skills necessary to build strong scene, blocking, composition and movement techniques. The central topic is an exploration Mama production created and choreography by Sifiso Kweyama.
Each week dancers receive tasks, assignments, practical movement and analysis of each movement and techniques which dancers lead them to understanding of the topic and ability to apply knowledge to choreography.
Objectives:
-Understanding of the movements and contemporary
techniques
-Grow an ability to create a tempo-rhythm
in performance
-Gain tools and skills to create
choreography independently
-Build a foundation for communicating the
artistic vision to the choreographer
-Understand how to encourage the
choreographer to contribute to your ideas and how to produce joint ideas.
Topics:
-Blocking the routine
-Tempo and Rhythm
-Movement for spoken words
-Acting as a Dancers
-Improvisation and Spontaneity
-Composition or Creation.
Level:
#Professional and Non-professional dancers
Born and bred in KwaZulu-Natal, Sifiso Kweyama has established himself as one of South
Africa’s leading dance teachers and choreographers. He started training in 1989
at Phenduka Dance Theatre in Durban and in 1993, he joined Jazzart Dance
Theatre where he was trained in Contemporary African Dance by Alfred Hinkel,
later employed as a company dancer. He has had an extensive history with
Jazzart Dance Theatre which began in 1992 where he choreographed a season of
works with the company.
Kweyama’s experience has seen him work in high profile productions, choreographing for the staged plays such as the Rivonia Trial and The Suite Case. In addition, creating dance works for Tshwane University of Technology, Flatfoot Dance Company, Ballet Theatre Afrikan, Tshwane Dance Theatre and Moving into Dance – Mophatong where he worked as a Company Manager for two years.
He brings with him a flexible, innovative, and meticulous flair that thrives under pressure and is self-confident, humble and action-oriented with a penchant eye for detail. His accolades extend to the 2013 Choreographer of the Year Award at the KwaZulu-Natal Dance Link. In 2011, he was voted one of the top ten South African choreographers by the Mail & Guardian.
Kweyama’s teaching and choreographing experience involves Tshwane University of Technology and Pretoria University lecturing in African dance and Contemporary dance respectively. In 2001 and 2007, he was invited in the USA by the University of Southern California and University of South Florida respectively, to lecture in dance.
He has participated in high profile performances when performed for much-loved late-South African President Tata Nelson Mandela and President Thabo Mbeki during their reign as presidents. He has worked with artists such as Ray Phiri, Zuluboy, Jerry Mofokeng, Tina Schouw, Heather Mac, Themba Mkhize and Sbongile Khumalo. His international works have extended to Palestine, Jordan, Harare, Germany, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Angola - to name a few - for numerous contemporary dance competitions and arts festivals.
Kweyama then became the Artistic Director of Jazzart between 2015 and 2020. Since joining Jazzart, he has overseen the three-year training which led to the formation of the new Jazzart Dance Company. Choreographing the 2018 University of Cape Town dance season and choreographing the Bloomberg Philanthropies - BPH Tobacco Control Awards.
For more information contact Vusi Makhanya on 082 622 4005 or email vusi.kmsdt@gmail.com
Posts
