CONTEMPORARY DANCE

Vision:
To develop a unique contemporary dance form with skilled Malawian dancers blending Western and Malawian dance techniques and to use this to create engaging and innovative dance performances.

Background:

• A select group (from Village Cultural Troupe, Samban’goma, Digo and Judges) worked with Pascal Mont Rouges and dance company members from Reunion Islands during one week residencies organised by French Cultural Centre over the last three years.
• Sam observed one of the above in 2006.
• Sam discussed the possibility of regular workshops with French Cultural Centre and dancers.
• Sam participated in some Samban’goma rehearsals to learn some traditional Malawian dance.

• Five weekly morning workshops led by Sam in June and July 2007 to which the ‘select group’ was invited.  The group ended up as all the members of Village Cultural Troupe, including those with no previous experience, and a member of Digo.
• Use of working space was given in kind by French Cultural Centre and participants’ allowances were funded by Nanzikambe.
• Training consisted of:

group awareness games technique/posture exercises
taught movement sequences improvisation tasks both solo and with a partner
choreographic tasks in duets and groups building a dance performance from the above elements

• An informal performance to an invited audience gave focus to the sessions, marked the achievements of the group and raised awareness of the work.
• Sam participated in some Village Cultural Troupe rehearsals to continue traditional Malawian dance training.

Rationale for the Contemporary Dance Lab

• An interest and understanding of Contemporary Dance has been nurtured in a group of Malawian dancers through projects managed by FCC.
• The opportunity is there for Malawian dancers to develop this on a regular and consistent basis with Samantha Moss, a trained Dance Artist and Choreographer, living in Blantyre.
• The preservation of traditional Malawian dance is vital for people to value the culture and history of Malawi as well as the specific movement skills needed, however, it is hoped that it will be fruitful to broaden the experience of dancers to encompass a wider range of movement possibilities.  Whilst based on Contemporary dance the project may also include dance skills from popular dance forms such breakdance, body popping etc.
• Whilst there are a number of strict techniques within the contemporary dance umbrella it is an art form that is constantly evolving and encourages creativity, innovation and freedom of expression both in terms of movements and choreography.  This gives space to develop the unique movement abilities and creative ideas of individuals or groups. 
• Sam has previously worked with actors, singers and dancers in Nanzikambe projects.  Movement training and body awareness has proved beneficial and interesting to a good number of these people and some show great dance potential.  This project would provide a way for them to focus on dance as an individual and unique art form.
• The Arts are a powerful tool to communicate themes and issues to an audience.  Dance can evoke images and emotions that deeply move or provoke an audience yet cannot easily be verbalised.  This project aims to provide dancers with an alternative means of communicating such things as well as the joy and beauty of movement itself.
• There are a number of Contemporary Dance Companies in African countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya etc.  Each will have a uniquely African slant to the work due to the context and experience of those involved.  This project aims to build towards having a Malawian Contemporary Dance Company, which would have the potential to tour performances throughout Africa and internationally.

Contemporary Dance Lab Development

Phase 1: September to December 2007
This will consist of weekly morning sessions with the established group and some members of Nanzikambe Theatre Company.  These would recap the work achieved thus far as well as introduce and integrate new people to the group.  It also allows for the work to be seen by FCC Director (as advised by Nadine and Nadia), who was away during the first sessions, and for his support to be sought. 

Due to the potentially large group of up to 28 there is scope to work in smaller groups with differentiated tasks for the range of ability and experience in the group.

The plan would also include a 3 day intensive workshop in December with the whole Phase culminating in a performance (use of appropriate space allowing), probably for an invited audience that is wider than that of July.

Phase 2: December 2007 to March 2008
Following an assessment or audition (to be decided in negotiation with the group) the group would be split into two.  A larger group with intermediate skills and a smaller group with more advanced skills. The whole group would continue to meet also. 

The whole group would meet for a warm up and basic skills development.  Then time would be spent with the intermediate group while the advanced group used an alternative space to work on set tasks.  Following this the advanced group would work with Sam.

This Phase would also culminate in a 3 day intensive and performance.

The aim would be to work with people at their level in order to better develop their skills, enable them to fulfil their potential and gain a sense of achievement.  Also, to encourage those with greater talent to grow quickly in technique and creativity. 

Notes:
Throughout the project Sam would attend some of the traditional dance and drumming rehearsals to learn and understand the form better to facilitate the blending of Western Contemporary and traditional Malawian dance.

Shyne Phiri, contemporary dancer from Zimbabwe, will be invited to witness, partake and help to develop the work.  Ultimately, it is anticipated that he may choreograph on a select group or be part of a performance.

It is proposed that in order to prevent any confusion of monies a bank account would be opened in the name ‘Contemporary Dance Lab’ with Sam as the as the signatory.

KACHERE