Two talented young Rondebosch dancers are taking part in a dance show in Athlone this Saturday.
Christopher Thomas Sherwood-Adcock and Isabel Ray, both 22, are from Darkroom Contemporary, a non-profit dance company.
The show-cum-workshop, New Works, is billed as an interdisciplinary performance project that merges sound, motion and technology.
New Works is choreographed by Louise Coetzer, the artistic director and choreographer of Darkroom Contemporary.
Darkroom Contemporary is working on a range of movement composition workshops with Jazzart Dance Theatre, Indoni Dance Theatre, Dance For All and UCT.
Isabel says it is the first time she is working with Darkroom Contemporary and she applied to become one of their apprentice dancers.
“I have limited experience in contemporary dance, but I was thrilled when an email came through saying I had been accepted,” she said.
Even though Isabel has limited experience in contemporary dance, she is an experienced ballerina, and has performed in Cape Town productions of Giselle, Swan Lake and the Nutcracker as well as more modern shows.
Darkroom Contemporary will be a new challenge in her young dance career.
“I love being exposed to a different way of moving. The way Darkroom moves is a very unique style that challenges both the body and the mind. At the end of the day we are often all exhausted but satisfied,” she said.
Christopher who graduated at the Cape Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA) in 2018 is skilled in tap dance, hip hop, jazz, modern dance, musical theatre, ballet contemporary and Latin.
“Louise taught me at CAPA and I’ve always loved her work. I wanted to grab the soonest opportunity to work with Darkroom Contemporary,” he said.
Christopher performed earlier this year for Cape Town City Ballet for Swing Time at the Artscape.
Louise said that the rehearsal process had been all about generating choreographic material for a new dance theatre work, with the apprentice dancers working alongside some of the more experienced company dancers.
“I enjoy working with Christopher and Isabel as they bring great enthusiasm to each day. Both of them have a solid technical ability to fall back on, along with a good dose of professionalism so they fit right in,” she said.
New Works will take place this Saturday March 23 at Dance For All in Athlone at noon.
To learn more about New Works, you can visit the UCT School of Dance, Lover’s Walk, Rondebosch on Friday, March 22, from 9am to 10.30am. For more information about Darkroom Contemporary visit their Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/DarkroomContemporary/ or their Instagram page on @darkroomcontemporary .