Dance for All (DFA) is calling on all dancers aged 18 to 21, to audition on Saturday October 22, to be part of its bridging programme to hone their skills for the professional stage.
The 12-month full-time course teaches dancers skills that bridge the gap between being a dance student and becoming a professional dancer.
The course is specifically aimed at dance students who would like to pursue a professional career in dance, but who were not successful in auditions at tertiary institutions, organisations and companies.
Artistic director, Allison Hendricks, said the students accepted into the programme receive individual guidance and assistance in developing their talents from DFA’s team of experienced teachers, all of whom are former professional dancers.
“The aim of the bridging programme is to offer insight into what is expected of a professional dancer and to groom students accordingly. They might be waiting for their next auditions, and the programme helps them to stay in shape on a physical and mental level, while being introduced to various performing arts skills needed in the professional industry. Here the students finds a place where they are pushed beyond their limit. The bridging programme also, although run at professional level, has a more affordable fee, for those who are not financially able to study elsewhere. The programme is not specifically aimed at matriculants, students simply need to fall within the age requirements, although ideally it is a great link to those matriculants who study dance as a subject and who would like to focus on a career as a professional dancer, choreographer or teacher,” Ms Hendricks said.
She added that the programme is aimed at students with previous contemporary dance or ballet training at a dance studio or at a secondary school.
The course offers an introduction to subjects such as anatomy (which includes injuries and nutrition), drama and theatre craft, costume design, sound and lighting, as well as choreography, all of which often forms part of the performing arts studies.
“Completing the course will give the students a firm background and experience to continue studying in the field of professional dancing, choreographing or dance teaching. With the introduction of other course material subjects, an interest is also often awaken in physiotherapy, nutrition, stage or costume design,” Ms Hendricks said.
Dance for All, a 25-year-old institution, is also proud that many of its former students pursued successful dance careers, and some of them are from the bridging course.
“The Bridging Programme has had numerous success stories of students who were accepted by tertiary institutions or organisations. A total of 23 students have, or are currently studying at Jazzart Dance Theatre, Cape Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA), UCT School of Dance, Tshwane University of Technology, Cinevox Junior Company in Switzerland, and three former students are currently with Dance for All as trainee teachers,” said Ms Hendricks.
Contact Dance for All at 021 697 5509.
