The internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer, Dada Masilo was born and raised in Johannesburg and began her formal training at The Dance Factory at the age of 11. After matriculating from The National School of the Arts, she went to train at Jazzart in Cape Town for one year. She was then accepted as a student at the Performing Arts Research and Training Studios in Brussels. In 2008, she was awarded the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Dance. Masilo’s choreographic works – in which she also performs – have toured extensively on the international circuit and have earned her numerous high profile awards, including the Prince Claus Next Generation Award (2018) and The UK Critic’s Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Female Modern Performance in the title role as Giselle (2020).

For the fourth instalment of the 2ndary REVISIONS series, Masilo speaks about her method of blending contemporary and Setswana dance in The Sacrifice and gives us insight into to her choreographic processes and the ways in which she grapples with content and structure.

CREDITS:

CHOREOGRAPHER | Dada Masilo
COMPOSERS & MUSICIANS | Ann Masina, Leroy Mapholo, Tlale Makhene & Nathi Shongwe
DANCERS | Dada Masilo, Refiloe Mogoje, Sinazo Bokolo, Thandiwe Mqokeli, Lwando Dutyulwa, Thuso Lobeko, Songezo Mcilizeli, Steven Mokone, Lebo Seodigeng & Tshepo Zasekhaya