August 28, 2013
Texas Performing Arts and The University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance present two of today’s most distinguished choreographers in an exciting evening of dance on September 20 at the McCullough Theatre.
Vincent Mantsoe is one of post-apartheid South Africa’s leading choreographers. His French based company, Association Noa Company Vincent Mantsoe, creates contemporary African work that represents a true global culture of both dancers and disciplines.
Mantsoe’s piece Opera for Fools probes the center of the South African shebeen lifestyle during Apartheid, discovering what makes people enjoy their daily lives and enables them to forgive, but not forget. This vibrant production is a celebration of a people’s hope, anger, joy, and sometimes loneliness and despair.
Choreographer, dancer, and UT Department of Theatre and Dance Associate Professor of African Diaspora Dance Studies and the M.F.A. Coordinator in Dance, Charles O. Anderson is artistic director of Dance Theatre X. Founded by Anderson in 2003, this Philadelphia based afro-contemporary dance theatre company was selected among the “25 to Watch” in 2008 by Dance Magazine.
Anderson presents a preview of his newest work, Restless Natives, a piece inspired by the writings of James Baldwin featuring an original poetry score by critically-acclaimed performance poet Ursula Rucker. Set in a fictional juke joint called HOME, Restless Natives combines mournful celebration and passionate dance in a blues-saturated commentary on loving and being loved in 21st century America.
“ A direct expression of spiritual connection to something greater than the physical self.“ – The New York Times on Vincent Mantsoe
“Anderson’s dancers exploded in mesmerizing and virtuosic patterns that fused classical tribal African dance with post-vogue club b-boy expressionism. “ – Ballet-Dance Magazine
PROGRAM
Association Noa Company
Vincent Mantsoe
Vincent Mantsoe, choreographer
Dance Theatre X
Charles O. Anderson, artistic director
Opera for Fools
Choreography by Vincent Mantsoe
AND
Restless Natives
(a special preview performance)
Choreography by Charles O. Anderson
featuring Ursula Rucker
with Dance Theatre X
Tickets for the September 20 8:00 p.m. performance are on sale now online, or by calling 512-477-6060 or 800-982-BEVO.
For more information on this performance, please visit http://texasperformingarts.org/season/vincent-mantsoe-austin.