A neo-classical contemporary dance movement dealing with life itself, this work is about existing.
Ubukho is inspired by those we have known, loved and lost and the impact they have had. By showing the passage of time through doorways, we dance about the self-growth we all experience as we journey through life, the emotions that guide us in our choices, the various people we meet along the way, but most of all, we dance about the influence others have over our pathway in life.
Ubukho is a work that is for all, as it is the journey we all take.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Concept Created and Directed by Melissa Schafer
Choreography by Candice Schafer and Melissa Schafer
Dancers of Live to Move Dance Company
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Candice Schafer (Choreographer of Ubukho) began her ballet studies at the age of 4. She attended the National School of the Arts matriculating in 2013 majoring in Contemporary dance with full colours for Dance Performance. During these studies she achieved Distinctions in not only Ballet but also Contemporary and Spanish dance. Along the way she has performed with Mzansi Productions in the ballet Don Quixote at the Lyric Theatre, The South African Ballet Theatre production of Le Corsaire at the Nelson Mandela Theatre and at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda. Furthermore she has performed at various corporate events. She has taught at various dance studios such as Manuela Loureiro Dance Academy, Paula Lopes School of Dance and Penny Molfessis Ballet Academy. Currently she has completed her Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate and Imperial Society of Modern Dance Associates. Since the start of Live to Move Dance Company, Candice has created and choreographed (Wo)man as well as DUST, staying connected to the company all while teaching ballet in Beijing.
Melissa Schafer (dancer and choreographer of Ubukho) her dance career began with her first ballet class at the age of 4. She trained in RAD ballet, obtaining Distinctions in all of her exams. Attending the National School of the Arts, she also trained in Contemporary, Jazz, African and Spanish Dance. While at NSA, she was able to perform in festivals such as The National Arts Festival in Makhanda and the Tshwane Youth Festival. In 2011 and 2012, she had the opportunity to dance with Mzansi Productions in Don Quixote and Joburg Ballet in The Sleeping Beauty. In 2013, Melissa completed her Graduate Year with Joburg Ballet after which she worked with Dance in Art in Haarlem, The Netherlands in 2014. Melissa has also danced on board Costa Pacifica, working with Afro Arimba Productions, and in 2018 she performed in ‘Doll’ in The Dance Umbrella Festival. Now as the Artistic Director of Live to Move Dance Company, Melissa hopes to bring more opportunities for Dance in South Africa.
