Andile developed and created his own company, Dancenomad, on becoming Associate Artist at The Place, UK, for the period of 2002-2003. This allowed him to break away from the limitations imposed by traditional structures and promote his own creative signature.

iKapa Dance Theatre was originally established and registered as a Non-profit organisation in July 2007. Since then founders and artistic directors, Theo Ndindwa and Tanya Arshamian, have grown the company to a full-fledged operation, listing top-notch dancers. A key focus of iKapa is its outreach program, which brings the joy and passion of dancing to hundreds of disadvantaged kids in the townships. iKapa Dance Theatre is incredibly excited to be working with Andile. The Stadium is the perfect platform for this young, energetic company to further their aim of reinvigorating classical dance in South Africa. The production promises to exhibit the perfect fusion of groundbreaking choreography and exceptional artistry.

The directors have used the adaptability of the piece to reconstruct STADIUM to fit within the performance area. Therefore, even if you have seen the production before you will, no doubt, enjoy the restaging as though you are seeing it for the first time. Every new performance space brings with it a fresh character and energy that will guarantee a engaging theatrical experience.

Andile is a South African born dancer, teacher and choreographer, a former Associate Artist at The Place 2002-2004 who is currently a lecturer at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. As a dancer, Andile has worked with companies including Phoenix Dance Company/Theatre and Ludus Dance Company. In 2002 and in 2006/7 he toured with Kylie Minogue’s Fever World Tour and Showgirl Home Coming Tour choreographed by Rafael Bonachela, Akram Khan and Michael Rooney. He has also worked with her on other projects including MTV European Awards in Edinburgh, Top of the Pops, CDUK and a tour of America.

In 2002, Andile set up dancenomad his research and choreographic outlet creating in 2003 in collaboration STADIUM his first full evening work performed at the Robin Howard Dance Theatre, The Place in London and at The Riley Theatre in Leeds. As a choreographer, Andile has created for professional companies including Phoenix Dance Company and Union Dance Company, Mozambique National Dance Company of Music and Dance, and Ace Dance and Music. He also worked with youth companies including National Youth Dance Company, Northern Youth Dance Company, Hampshire Youth Dance Company, and Advance Youth Dance Company in Leeds, Swindon Youth Dance Company and a residency in Belfast working with young artist from the two communities. He as also created works for Northern School of Contemporary Dance, London Contemporary Dance School and Technikon Pretoria in South Africa. As a teacher, he has taught extensively around the UK and in South Africa leading classes, workshops and residencies from beginners to professionals. He has also taught company class for the Lion King in London. Andile is also involved in the training of the Billy Elliot (Billy Elliot the Musical) including workshops, auditions and Summer Intensives.

In 2004, Andile set up and co-directed RODA, which facilitates a very successful Leeds based research and development residency with Tiia Ourila and Douglas Thorpe. This year will see Andile back in the studio as a choreographer with 2 commissions in South Africa.


BACKGROUND
iKapa was founded by Theo Ndindwa and Tanya Arshamian in 2007.
Biographies of iKapa Management Team :

Theo Ndindwa was born and raised in Gugulethu, Cape Town and began his training with the Dance 4 All Outreach Program ; he continued this training along with classes at the University of Cape Town Ballet School.
At age 18 he received a full Scholarship from the Linbury Trust to attend The Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance in London for 2 years, followed by a final year at The Central School of Ballet, he has worked professionally in Scotland and in the UK with Ballet Central, Ballet Soul, and various acclaimed international choreographers, in September 2004 he joined Phoenix Dance Theatre in Leeds, UK. There he spent a year performing internationally. He returned home to Cape Town in August 2005 and worked as a freelance artist and choreographer with DFA, Free Flight, Jikeleza, Brigitte Reeve and Cape Town City Ballet. Working on a freelance basis enabled him to continue with the establishment of iKapa Dance Theatre. In June 2007 iKapa was officially launched and has a ray of successful productions including Equal 1 at the South African International Ballet Competition, the FNB Dance Umbrella and Artscape @ Bredarsdorp. In March 2008 iKapa was nominated for a KANNA Award at KKNK festival for the best production of “What’s Yours ?” choreographed by Tanya Arshamian and Theo Ndindwa.

Tanya Arshamian was born and raised in Manchester, UK. She received full time training at The Rambert School Ballet & Contemporary Dance in London. Since Graduating in 2002 she has represented the UK in the Prestigious International Adaline Genee competition in Sydney, Australia. In 2003 she worked with Wayne McGregor and his Random Dance Co, with Research and Development on Ataxia, followed by performing in A.W.O.L at the Robin Howard Theatre in London.

In 2004 she worked with Andile Sotiya for Stadium & Barwen Tavaziva, in November 2004 she joined Rashpal Bansal’s Polyphony Dance Co. working on various productions throughout the UK until August 2005 when she moved to Cape Town.

On arrival Tanya immediately started to work on a freelance basis as a Dancer and Choreographer with her partner Theo Ndindwa, they worked with companies such as Dance 4 All, Adele Blank and her Free Flight Dance Co., The Brigitte Reeves Dance Co., Jikeleza & Cape Town City Ballet. Working on a freelance basis enabled her to continue with the establishment of iKapa Dance Theatre. In June 2007 iKapa was officially launched and has a ray of successful productions including Equal 1 at the South African International Ballet Competition, the FNB Dance Umbrella and Artscape @ Bredarsdorp. In March 2008 iKapa was nominated for a KANNA Award at KKNK festival for the best production of “What’s Yours ?” choreographed by Tanya Arshamian and Theo Ndindwa.

Ndindwa and Arshamian recognised that the Western Cape has a marked absence of a demographically representative dance company that combines African and classical dance : a technically-skilled, neo-classical dance company which combines South African indigenous dance influences with international trends.

Furthermore they recognised that there is a growing need for recreational activities in the townships as anti-social behaviour, specifically drug and alcohol abuse, continues to take hold of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The establishing of an outreach program serves a double purpose : • to use the medium of dance to teach much-needed life-skills and • to nurture talented learners who can then become members of the professional company.
The roll-out of the education and outreach programme has already commenced and it is clear that the outreach activities are desperately needed and greatly appreciated.
As the successful graduate of an outreach program himself, Ndindwa is the ideal role- model to lead such an initiative.

Vision
iKapa Dance Theatre Production’s (“iKapa”) vision is to create an innovative, world-class African dance company by developing talent in historically disadvantaged communities.

Objectives and Goals
• To encourage, empower, educate and nurture young, up-and-coming artists from historically disadvantaged backgrounds by establishing outreach programmes in historically marginalised communities ;
• To create employment opportunities in the performing arts ;
• To promote the works of emerging choreographers, designers and musicians ;
• To foster and enhance an appreciation of the performing arts in historically disadvantaged communities ; • To draw inspiration from South African indigenous tribal dance and infuse it into classical dance ;
• To reinvigorate classical dance in Cape Town (and South Africa) as a vibrant performing art that entertains and delights South Africans from all walks of life ;
• To develop a varied, world-class repertoire of classical, contemporary and physical theatre productions that will be accessible, affordable and relevant to a broad South African audience ;
• To be a proudly South African brand.

Orgasinational structure
iKapa’s activities are split into three principal areas :
• An education and outreach program : Imbewu yeKapa School of Arts (“The seed of Cape Town”)
• An Apprentice Training Program
• A professional performing dance company : iKapa Dance Theatre

These three departments function interdependently. Dancers who will are employed by iKapa Dance Theatre and its Apprenticeship Training Program ; also participate in the initiatives of Imbewu yeKapa School of Arts. A brief description of these three programs follows :

Imbewu yeKapa School of Arts

As the dance education and outreach arm of iKapa, Imbewu yeKapa School of Arts is the foundation of its operations. Imbewu yeKapa School of Arts uses dance and other performing arts as a medium to teach the youth in historically disadvantaged communities certain life-skills, such as teamwork, self-discipline and confidence. Imbewu yeKapa provides a safe, healthy, structured and creative environment through which disadvantaged youth can achieve a sense of purpose and offers an alternative to anti-social behaviour.
Dance classes have commenced in the townships of Gugulethu, Khayelitsha (at the local clinic, where HIV-positive children receive the benefit of the programme), Phillipi and Delft.
The medium term goal for the outreach program is to work closely with existing community centres in these and other areas, developing these often under-utilized centres as vibrant hubs for recreational activities.
Learners displaying talent and dedication will be selected for the Apprenticeship Training Program.

Apprenticeship Training Program

This educational arm of iKapa Dance Theatre offers young dancers the opportunity to train and perform with a professional dance company and enhanced employment opportunities on completion of the 12 month programme. iKapa currently has 4 dancers on its apprenticeship program

Performing Company : iKapa Dance Theatre