Three-Year Training Programme

Jazzart Dance Theatre’s Three-Year Dance Development Programme gives young people the opportunity to be trained in contemporary dance in a way that will enable them to carve careers in the creative economy. With its philosophy firmly rooted in a social justice framework, Jazzart actively recruits students from marginalised communities where the youth may otherwise not have access to the performing arts as a career option.

Students apply for auditions every three years and selected from an extensive three-day audition and selected by a panel of specialists. Training is fulltime with after-hours events and performances scheduled as well, testing their dedication, commitment and seriousness as developing artists.

Highly experienced teachers and professional dancers make up the teaching teams, where dancers are put through a holistic skills development programme, in a creative and safe space. The programme addresses not only the technical skills in contemporary dance, teaching and choreography, but also professionalism, punctuality, commitment and communication. Training is also taken outside of the studio, with exposure to seminars, exhibitions, exchange programmes, outreach, lecture demonstrations and theatre experiences.

The foundation of the training curriculum is the Jazzart technique, developing skills in improvisation, contact improvisation, release technique, chair, floor and rhythm work. The principles informing the training are rooted in social cohesion, inclusive spaces and transformation, in order to equip trainees to be cultural ambassadors, using the power of dance.