Jazzart Dance Theatre to Stage DESTINATION... LERATO at Artscape Theatre, Feb 8-10

Jazzart Dance Theatre introduces a wave of new talent in DESTINATION... LERATO, which will be presented at Artscape Theatre from 8 to 10 February.

The fifth group of Jazzart Trainees will perform in the production, which is directed by Ina Wichterich Mogane. "DESTINATION... LERATOis about looking at the world differently, questioning why we dance a particular technique to particular music, why we limit our vision for ourselves and others, and it challenges us to try something new - to think out of the box, enabling us to discover the truths we have always known," she says. "Using an electrifying blend of dance styles, our young cast take us on a journey of pursuing dreams and searching for love." A trainee, Yaseen Manuel says "Vision is nothing more than the image that you have painted on the walls of your mind. Fearlessness is the mastery of fear. We are the rhythm which we seek through DESTINATION... LERATO".

"Our fifth intake of trainees is a talented, dignified, humble and wonderful group of people who work well as a team and who combine the power of their minds with the technique of their bodies and the passion in their hearts to tell their stories," says Wichterich Mogane. "DESTINATION... LERATOaims to move and inspire audience members, and leave them with an exciting sense of hope."

Jazzart Dance Theatre marks its fortieth birthday this year and is one of South Africa's longest-standing and most celebrated dance companies. It is a non-profit organisation, which through its three tiers, not only produces award-winning, innovative dance productions featuring the professional company, but it also aims to transform society through its Trainee and Outreach Programmes.

Jazzart's Training Programme provides full-time dance and theatre training to young adults from local townships across South Africa. The three-year course prepares them for a career in the theatre industry and includes contemporary African dance and music, choreography, dance teaching, directing, stage craft, body awareness and puppetry. It also covers production management, self-development and conducting outreach interventions for community development.

Workshopped with the cast, choreography is by Jacqueline Manyaapelo, Jazzart Artistic Director, Mzokuthula Gasa, Ina Wichterich Mogane and the Trainees themselves. Costume and set design by Linda Mandela.

The new Trainees are: Katlego Moncho, Lewellyn Afrika, Lee-Joel Bosman, Lusanda Dayimani, Lusindiso Dibela, Nichelle Linnert, Nkemiseng Khena, Nkosinathi Mngomezulu, Nomfundo Hlongwa, Tamsyn Spannenberg, Thamsanqa Masoka, Thembekile Komani, Ntombizandile Nonyati, Vuyolwethu Stuurman and Yaseen Manuel.

Destination Lerato will be presented at the Artscape Theatre Centre on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February at 8.15pm and on Sunday 10 February at 6.15pm. Tickets cost R70 or R50 for pensioners, students, scholars and block bookings of ten or more. Bookings can be made at Computicket.

Jazzart Dance Theatre is grateful for the support of its sponsors, Artscape and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport.

For more information, follow Jazzart on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jazzart.dance.7 or Twitter @Jazzart_dance.

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