Dada Masilo

South African dancer and choreographer

Dada Masilo is a South African dancer and choreographer, known for her unique and innovative interpretations of classical ballets.^[3] Trained in classical ballet and contemporary dance, Masilo fuses these techniques with African dance steps to create her high-speed style.^[3] She was born and raised in the Johannesburg township of Soweto. Although she is interested more in the personal challenge of choreography than political statements, her pieces often address taboos such as homosexuality and race relations.^[3]

Career

Education

Masilo studied at Braamfontein's National School for the Arts, 2002.^[2] Dada Masilo caught the eyes of Suzette Le Sueur, back then the Director of Dance factory school, and invited her to train professionally. Since then, Sueur became Masilo's mentor.^[4]

Performances

• Infecting the City 2012, Cape Town

• 
  Death & Maidens, Infecting the City 2012
• 
  Death & Maidens, Infecting the City 2012
• 
  Death & Maidens, Infecting the City 2012
• 
  Death & Maidens, Infecting the City 2012

• Dancing with Dada, in collaboration with William Kentridge^[5]
• Swasey Chapel at Denison University, 3 February 2012^[6]
• The Bitter End of Rosemary, Düsseldorf, Germany^[2]
• Jazzart Dance Theatre, Cape Town, 2003^[2]
• London School of Contemporary Dance, 2004^[2]
• One of Masilo's notable scene partners is South African contemporary dancer Kyle Heinz Rossouw

Notable works

Classical ballets

• Swan Lake
• Romeo and Juliet
• Carmen^[2]
• Death and the Maiden
• Giselle

Original works

• The Bitter End of Rosemary, based on Ophelia^[2]
• Dancing with Dada
• The Sacrifice based on Pina Bausch's Rite of Spring

References

1. "Infecting the City 2012". Retrieved 10 April 2012.
2. Menthe, Sam (16 August 2011). "Profile: Dada Masilo - Queen of Dance | the Afropolitan". The Afropolitan. Archived from the original on 8 November 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
3. Curnow, Robin (2 November 2010). "Dada Masilo: South African dancer who breaks the rules - CNN". CNN. Archived from the original on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
4. Vernon, Diana. "Dada Masilo, South Africa's Star Choreographer". Culture Trip. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
5. Bryson, Donna (17 September 2011). "Artist William Kentridge on stage in South Africa - Washington Times". The Washington Times. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
6. "The Vail Series [Denison University]» Blog Archive » DADA MASILO". Swasey Chapel, Denison University, Granville, Ohio, USA. 3 February 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.

External links

• Nedbank - Arts Life Project Details - Arts Affinities