Artists & Projects Directory
Gregory Maqoma/Vuyani Dance Theatre
Gregory Maqoma, one of South
Africa's leading choreographers, brings his acclaimed
work, Beautiful Me to the U.S. for
his debut North American tour in Fall 2009. In an ongoing investigation of his
own identity in relationship to history, humanity and nature, Maqoma begins
with movement, text and music contributed by three master choreographers who
have had great influence on him: Akram Khan's Contemporary Kathak; Faustin
Linyekula's visual dance-theater; and Vincent Mantsoe's Afro-fusion. By
layering these distinct and diverse styles with his own unique lightness and
humor, Maqoma rewrites the definition of post-modern African choreographer.
Accompanied on stage by four exceptional South African musicians (violin, cello, sitar and percussion), simple lighting and set design, Beautiful Me speaks honestly and directly about the process of finding one's authentic voice.