The leading youth dance development programme in Soweto, Maison De’La Dance Projects concluded a mesmerizing two day year end showcase at the Soweto Theatre.
Titled The Applause, the show features over 150 talented young people showcasing unparalleled and unmatched dance techniques of ballet and contemporary dance on stage with precision.
The performance academy was established by fellow dancer, Thabiso Manare to celebrate the evolution of dance and art while developing world class artists and creatives right in the heart of the township.
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“Soweto boasts a lot of talent, but dance has been for a long time a sub art that has never been really understood. The culture of dances exists not only when we are at parties or events but it’s about finding our voices as dance artists,” explains Mpotseng Nhlapo, choreographer and teacher at the institution.
This year, the production kicked off by staying true to its roots with a classic and modern ballet interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which takes off the work by William Shakespeare. Gliding into a fusion of contemporary pieces, mixed with Street style influences of hip hop, and Amapiano in one piece called Don’t you dare.
Nhlapo also choreographed a piece called Cryme – which draws the audience into the mind of a criminal, displaying raw scenes of acting.
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“We are looking at how we can address social issues and not just perform and dance only. Our communities continue to be affected by crime so through the piece we want to get into the mind of the perpetrator, what are they thinking so we create a piece about them in order to understand and know them.
“We are challenging ourselves as choreographers to break them into thinking of a story, and characters they portray as dancers and actors.”
The studio based in White City, specialises in ballet but has recently expanded its range, tapping into a range of contemporary dance styles.
