Cape Dance Company - Show

Artistic Director Debbie Turner
Choreography David Krugel, Michelle Reid, Christopher L Huggins

Makeda Crayton from New York joins the Cape Dance Company as guest artist, performing alongside company members Grant van Ster, Henk Opperman, Simone Muller, Ipeleng Merafe, Marlin Zoutman,, James Bradley, Louisa Talbot, Steven van Wyk, Cara-May Marcus, Stefania du Toit, Martin Harding and Tammi van Houten.  Ms. Crayton began her early dance training at Studio One Dance Theatre, and at  the Julliard School in Manhattan, Bryant Ballet, Interlochen School of the Arts and I.D.E.A.S. in Germany. Her Broadway credits include Aida – the China tour, choreographed by Sarita Allen and Summer Solstice and Dances from the Heart with the cast of Disney’s Lion King. Miss Crayton has taught and choreographed around the world including being associate choreographer for Mozart L’Opera Rock in Paris, France.  While performing with the Bryant Ballet Company, Joel Hall Dancers, the Willingham Project, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre she has performed works by choreographers such as Alonzo King, Jessica Lang and Christopher L Huggins, with whom Makeda is once again working in South Africa, not only as a dancer but as his repetiteur.  

Mr. Huggins, a well-known American choreographer, is in Cape Town to create a new ballet for the Cape Dance Company entitled When Dawn Comes... ,and to re-stage his award-winning ballet Enemy Behind the Gates, that was first performed by the CDC at Artscape in 2010. A contemporary classical ballet first performed in 2001 by Philadanco! in Philadelphia, Enemy Behind the Gates is an exciting, confrontational work created in a militaristic style, with provocative, haunting images and striking costumes. It is particularly poignant with this being the 10th anniversary of the 911 terrorist attacks on the USA.  Huggins’ training includes the Juilliard School in Manhattan and the State University of New York at Purchase.  He was a fellowship student at The Ailey School before becoming a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.  Since then he has enjoyed an illustrious career as a freelance artist working in America and around the world. Huggins is  accompanied by his repetiteur Kayoko Amemiya.

Michelle Reid, who has worked with the CDC as its resident choreographer since 1995, is known for her unusual and quirky approach to her subject matter. She has the knack of divulging a different side to an artist, and her recently created God’s Waiting Room is no exception. The work, with a cast of three dancers, is abstract yet clear and thought-provoking in its exploration of the subject.  Her second piece, a pas de deux entitled On the Road to Nowhere, was seen at the Baxter Dance Festival last month and features well known Capetonian dancers Russell Cummings and Ananda Fuchs.

The third choreographer is South African David Krugel who is no stranger in South African dance circles, known as a superb dancer, choreographer and director. Earlier this year he was commissioned by Debbie Turner to create a new work for the company, entitled The Nature of Being, extending and challenging the dancers technically. Krugel, now based in Den Haag, was trained at the UCT Ballet School in Cape Town before receiving a scholarship to study in New York under the brilliant ballet teacher David Howard. He has been based in Europe since 1980 and has danced professionally with prestigious companies such as Bejart Ballet, Ballet van Vlaanderen, Nederlandse Dans Teater (NDT) lll and CAPAB Ballet. Krugel has assisted and worked with exceptional and world renowned choreographers such as Mats Ek, Hans van Manen and Jiri Kylian. He is currently performing in Last Touch First as part of the ongoing Holland Dance Festival that is touring worldwide.

The company is based in Tokai, Cape Town and was founded by Debbie Turner in 1995.  The CDC is known for its excellent standard of dance, with performances that are uplifting and accessible, providing stimulating entertainment with a varied repertoire of superb dance works from both national and international choreographers. The dancers’ training is strongly based in the classical idiom enabling the company to explore a variety of dance styles, including ballet, successfully and with aplomb. The company has performed in key venues around South Africa and has presented seasons abroad at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York, the Edinburgh International Arts Festival and the Salisbury International Arts Festival in the United Kingdom.  Their dynamic repertoire also includes works created by renowned choreographers such as Carlos Dos Santos (USA), Redha (France), Adele Blank (SA), Gregory Maqoma (SA), Michael Thomas (USA) and more.  Powerful athleticism, strong technique and a great evening of entertainment is a hallmark of this acclaimed company.

The Cape Dance Company performances run at the Artscape Theatre from 30 November till 10 December at 8:15pm and on Sunday 11 December at 6:00pm. Tickets for the opening night Gala are R160 per person and include drinks and snacks after the performance,  and thereafter cost from R110 each via Computicket or 0214217695.  Call 0217010599 for more info and follow Cape Dance Company on FaceBook, @CapeDanceCo on Twitter #dance.

The Cape Dance Company is supported by Fruit & Veg City, BASA, the National Arts Council and the Lorenzo & Stella Chiappini Trust.