‘Finding Our Way’

Created and Performed by Contemporary Dance Lab

Directed by:Samantha Moss
Choreographed by: Samantha Moss with the dancers

Dancers:                        

Brian Chambo | Petrol Kholongo
Nellia Chosalawa |Charity Nthilamanja
Catherine Domingo Gift Somsomera
Zione Kalipinde |Jefrey Thom
Erick Kangulero |Said Yusef
                                     

‘Finding Our Way’ does not have a specific ‘story’ but intimates a journey where initial suspicion and conflict are overcome by a shared focus; this resolves with the complementary and contrasting movements of groups now working together.  A strong diagonal line is emphasised as a theatrical device to indicate ‘the way’ being travelled.  The dance may evoke a variety of emotions, responses and settings in the imagination of each person in the audience. 

Contemporary Dance Lab is a new project which builds on the workshops for local dancers led by French Dance Companies, organised by the French Cultural Centre over the last three years.  It is also an additional part of the work of Nanzikambe Theatre Arts.  

The group performing tonight consists of experienced traditional Malawian dancers from Village Cultural Troupe, Samban’goma and Digo.  The piece is a result of 8 half-day rehearsals following 5 half-day workshops in July with a larger group.

The aim of the project is to ‘find our way’ to a fusion of western contemporary dance and traditional Malawian dance, blended with a taste of street dance, to create a fresh and unique dance form.  Potentially, this is the seed for Malawi’s first contemporary dance company!  As a group we hope that this is just the beginning.

Dance Artist Samantha Moss has been living in Malawi for three years.  She has run training sessions and choreographed for four productions by Nanzikambe Theatre Arts.  Sam also runs dance classes for children and adults.  For two years she worked at St Andrews International School where she was Dance Teacher, Choreographer and Producer of Viva La Fiesta – a celebration of music and dance.  In the UK Sam worked for DanceEast, National Dance Agency, when she developed multiple dance projects and opportunities throughout the community, particularly for disadvantaged young people.  She also founded, directed and performed with a small-scale dance company in London and the East of England.

With special thanks to:      Mon. Rafaitin and Nadine of French Cultural Centre Melissa Eveliegh of Nanzikambe Theatre Arts

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