A new residency that focuses on the development of young women in dance has been announced as an exciting new addition to the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience which takes place in Durban from 27 August to 8 September 2024. The 7-day residency runs during the festival and aims to encourage and support women in dance.
“Over the years we have observed that there are fewer female dancers working professionally in the contemporary dance space, and so we identified a strong need for more female-focused dance development to be done in Durban,” explains Dr Lliane Loots, Artistic Director of JOMBA!, which is hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN).
This year the residency offers space for 6 female dancers aged between 18 and 30 years who have some dance training and now seek to push their skills and make their mark in the dance world as professionals.
The JOMBA! residency will be led by Gaby Saranouffi (Madagascar/South Africa). Pic Val Adamson
The JOMBA! residency, led by Gaby Saranouffi (Madagascar/South Africa), will focus on further developing the dancers’ technical abilities, as well as include workshops around forging a professional image and work ethic that will aid in preparing these young dance professionals for future work opportunities. The dancers-in-residence will have access to the full festival programme and have the opportunity to meet and engage with professional companies that are visiting the festival.
The selection process will be done through auditions in the form of a contemporary dance class with some improvisation on Saturday 6 July at 10am at the Flatfoot Dance Studio (UKZN). Dancers-in-residence will be expected to be available for the full 7-day duration (26 August – 1 September 2024) with the outcomes of the residency presented at the JOMBA! YOUTH OPEN HORIZONS platform on Sunday 1 September 2024.
There are selection criteria that include that dancers must be older than 18 years of age, and must reside in eThekwini (Durban) or surrounds. While the residency and festival are offered free of charge to those who are successfully selected, participants must supply their own transport and food needs.
To apply send a (no longer than) two-page CV to Thobile Maphanga: thobimaphanga@gmail.com by Monday 24 June by 4pm.
For full details of criteria, what is required on the CV and more info about the process go to https://bit.ly/JOMBAResidency2024
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