PHUMA-LANGA

ABOUT THE CREATOR AND THE PERFORMERS

Mamela Nyamza is a choreographer and dancer from Cape Town. She studied ballet at the Tshwane University of Technology as well as being trained at Alvin Ailey New York School of Dance and Vienna Impulstanz. She received a fellowship at the University of Cape Town under the Gordon Institute of performance and creative Arts. Nyamza's works often question the norms and limits of classical dance while the sociopolitical and social issues of South Africa are of interest to her. In 2011, she won a prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award and recently received an Imbokodo Award honoring women who excel in the crafts. In addition to her choreographic work, Nyamza also trains young dancers and recently took up residency with FATC.

Nicholas Aphane learnt to dance at the tender age of 12 at the Dance Factory. Straight after school he joined PJ Sabbagha’s FATC. During his second year he successfully auditioned for PARTS. He then worked with choreographer-cum-dance teacher David Zambrano in 2009. A collaborative duet with Steve Michil followed. In his works, Aphane’s use of rhythm becomes his personal choreographic stamp, his unique movement, and his language.

Shawn Mothupi’s passion for dance was realised at a very young age when he was introduced to Ballroom and Latin-American Dance. He has since been intrigued by movement and moving bodies in various spaces. It inspired him to join Vuyani Dance Theatre in 2004 where he trained in African Contemporary Dance under the direction of Gregory Maqoma. He has worked with various choreographers and directors as well as has performed in many theatre and corporate productions. He has hosted workshops both locally and abroad, and is currently working with FATC as a performer, teacher, facilitator and choreographer.

Lorin Sookool was captivated by the poetry of dance at the tender age of 5 in Durban. After obtaining a dance degree from the University of Cape Town, Sookool returned home for two years finding employment at the Playhouse Dance Residency where she worked with Jay Pather and Lliane Loots. Curiosity for a more natural and honest physical expression found Sookool partaking in residencies such as Crossings III and the FATC’s artist in residence.  She is now a company member at FATC and spends her time training and teaching in disadvantaged communities as well as disability centres. Sookool has created work for various platforms including Jomba!, Thunya Lerole, Dance Umbrella and Infecting The City.

Thulani Lord Mgidi, also known as Lathish Berret, was born in Mpumalanga Emalahleni. He started dancing in 2000 for the Qaphelani Community Theatre (QCT). His formal training began with Moving Into Dance Mophathong, where he studied Contemporary, Afrofusion, African, Traditional Dance and Arts Administration. He spent three years there. Since then he has worked with local and international choreographers and directors as well as presented his own works in festivals, such as the Dance Umbrella, Detours and the National Arts Festival. He recently worked in Germany for Constanza Macras|DorkyPark and currently is employed at FATC as a company member.

Nomfundo Hlongwa is from Durban. She started dancing at the age of 15 in a community project called Kwamashu School of Dance. After matriculating she trained with The Jazzart Dance Theatre as part of a three-year training programme, under the artistic directions of Jackie Manyaapelo. During her training, she performed in numerous productions by the likes of Ina Wichterich, Christopher Kindo, Sifiso Kweyama and Mzokuthula Gasa. In 2014, she enrolled at Moving into Dance Mophatong, in Johannesburg, and obtained a National Certificate in Performing Arts (NQF Level 4). She has worked with Sibonelo Dance Project director Mzokuthula Gasa. She has also recently been involved in a six-month voluntary program with Brouhaha International, in the UK, and is currently an intern dancer with FATC.

Francesca Matthys has a Bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Arts from the University of Witwatersrand. She is the 2016 recipient of the Percy Tucker prize for best Dramatic Arts Director at Wits. Last year, Francesca produced her own production, Vlower (POPArt/NAF/Krekvars), as well as In Between Breath (CPT Fringe), in which she also performed. Also in 2016, she performed in Marina Magalhães’ (LA), (UN) BRIDALED, at the Wits Theatre. Matthys has also written a full length play The Girl in the Photograph, which placed 2^nd in Gauteng for the 2016/17 PANSA Scriptwriting competition. Francesca is currently an intern at FATC.

Phuma-Langa will be performed on 9 September at 3pm at the Ebhudlweni Arts Center. Entrance is free. Then the work will be staged at The Emahaya Venue, 19^th Floor, WAM building (University Corner) Braamfontein, on 14, 15, 16 September at 7.30pm. Tickets cost R 60 at the door and discounted tickets are R 30.

The seating is limited so please reserve your seats by contacting Neli at info@forgottenangle.co.za.

MEDIA RELEASE:

BUZ PR

BRIDGET VAN OERLE / SNEZIWE DUBE

011 6730264 / 477 0923

buz@buz.co.za / info@buz.co.za