The Jazzart Way: Excavating the Technique, the Ethos and the Attitude

Welcome to the heart of Jazzart Dance Theatre. As you explore our archive of past productions, you are not just seeing a history of performances; you are witnessing the manifestation of a profound artistic philosophy - a distinctive Artistic DNA forged in the crucible of South African history.

The 'Jazzart Way' is more than a style of movement; it is a movement rooted in the principles of social change, cultural inclusivity, and technical excellence. It represents a unique methodology that has cemented Jazzart's position as a leading African contemporary dance company.

The Artistic DNA: Roots in Transformation (The Ethos)

Founded in 1973, Jazzart's journey has always been intrinsically linked to the socio-political landscape of South Africa. Our DNA is transformative.

During the apartheid era, when professional dance was often the exclusive domain of the ruling elite, Jazzart’s leadership, notably under Alfred Hinkel, took a deliberate stance. The company adopted an ethos firmly rooted in the progressive ideological principles of the anti-apartheid struggle.

Our core philosophy is simple yet powerful: to use dance as a transformative tool to interrogate social awareness and foster cultural inclusiveness.

• Vision: To be a sustainable African contemporary dance theatre company that promotes social change through the continuous reflection of our South African past to influence and shape the future of the arts.

• Mission: To challenge the dance status quo and social stereotypes through performances that give voice to our untold African stories.

Every work in our repertoire is infused with this deep social commitment, ensuring our productions remain culturally relevant, emotionally resonant, and challenging to both dancers and audience.

Excavating the Technique: Celebrating the African Body

The Technique of the Jazzart Way is a home-grown methodology developed out of necessity and pride. It is a seamless integration of strong foundational technique with a uniquely South African aesthetic.

Unlike classical Western techniques developed for specific body types, Jazzart's unique movement language was born from the realisation that these molds did not fully embrace the diverse physiques of South Africa's dancers. We made a conscious decision to defy the gravitational and aesthetic constraints imposed by others, instead choosing to celebrate the curves and crevices of our African bodies.

This technique is characterised by:

1. Fusion: A powerful synthesis of Western and African styles, blending modern, contemporary, and indigenous movements.

2. Earthiness and Grounding: A connection to the earth and rhythm that speaks to the African experience.

3. Versatility: Training dancers to be physically and creatively versatile, able to interpret narratives that challenge and empower.

By developing this distinctive language, Jazzart ensures that our dancers possess world-class technique while simultaneously reflecting the country's diverse cultural and historical heritage.

Attitude and Impact: Educate, Collaborate, Create

The Attitude of Jazzart is one of relentless pursuit of excellence, community engagement, and empowering the next generation. This attitude drives our core approach: Educate, Collaborate, and Create.

Our three-year, full-time training program develops well-rounded, educated, and economically active artists. It teaches discipline and perseverance, but crucially, it nurtures self-esteem, character, and identity. We believe that passion is a prerequisite for dance, not body shape, gender or age.

This attitude is the driving force behind our community and outreach programs, which provide opportunities for artistic expression to South African communities most in need. When you review our past productions, you see more than just dance-you see the results of this transformative attitude, where raw talent is refined into powerful, articulate performance.

The enduring legacy of Jazzart is in using the body as a creative instrument to give voice to the voiceless, making every past production a chapter in South Africa’s ongoing story of resilience, identity, and hope.