OUR BACKGROUND

THE DANCE PROJECT is an exciting community project introducing kids across the Cape Flats to the excitement of different dance styles: one can see the enjoyment in the rhythm of tap, the Razzamatazz of the musicals, the energy of Hip Hop, the guts of the Gumboot, the punch of Pantsula, the quickness of Kwaito, the control of Contemporary to the earthiness of Jazz.

Over the past ten years the Dance Project has focused on delivering Dance skills and training to members of the community who would not otherwise have access to these skills.  Classes are offered to all ages ranging from 3 years old to 43 years old.  The intention is to be inclusive and for a period even the learners from the Dominican School for the Deaf were attending classes.

The fundamental objective is to bring skills and opportunities to communities that were previously disadvantaged, while providing professional training and preparation for talented youth and individuals who wish to be developed to their fullest potential.  Shows, Eisteddfods, Festivals, Competitions, performances form part of the annual programme providing on-stage experience that any dancer needs to acquire excellence, stage craft skills and the essential ability to work as a team member.

The project is being developed and implemented as a well-managed venture in its own right and strives to generate income through fees and the sale of tickets for their community shows in order to ensure self-sustainability and ensure its long-term future viability and success.  This is not made easier by the fact that shows and performances can be extremely expensive to mount and many members of the community cannot afford to meet even the limited fees that are recommended.

It was started in 1998 and is run by Trish Notcutt, Nikki Jacobs and Mercia Nkonyana who have worked together since 1985. Both Mercia and Nikki were pupils at the CAFDA Community Centre where Trish taught and since that initial training Nikki and Trish have worked together for 20 years.  Trish has run her own studio and worked in community projects for twenty years.  She is fully qualified and taught dance as a Matric subject in the schools for the Education Department.  She has been on the Dance SGB which has developed, organised and written the Dance Assessment Standards and Outcomes for the new RNCS syllabus.  She has also completed the Dance sections of six Arts And Culture setwork books for Grades 4-9.  Both Nikki and Mercia were in successful groups that featured in the Shell Road to Fame, Nikki danced professionally at Sun City and the Wild Coast Sun before re-joining Trish in the community projects.

The Dance Project started as a community project based in the Wynberg area with 18 students.  The only publicity was the buzz and excitement from the students by word of mouth. Now it has 90 students from the community.