The journey after graduating University of the Arts to founding her own company, studio, and dancewear range in South Africa.
If you truly felt when watching “Secret’s of a Family Portrait,’ or gasped aloud at Evan Van Soest and Joanne Liebenberg’s duet, you are in for a treat when you come to see the new show “Humanity.” All of which was choreographed by Tamra Chace, who is the one responsible for founding Chace Dance Company. Her diverse group of dancers will perform plenty of Chace’s signature style, but there is a whole lot more up Chace’s sleeve for the future of CDC.
How did you make the decision to start your own company?
“I have always known since early college years that I wanted to have my own company, knowing it would happen in South Africa is another story. After meeting and moving for my boyfriend, I thought, why now? There are so many hidden talented dancers in this country that don’t have the performance platform like America. Plus when I moved I found it very hard to break into the industry here, even harder than in the states! It’s very very small here and people most commonly hire their friends for work, versus holding open auditions to find talent. So instead of looking for the work and struggling, I thought it would be easier to make the work happen for myself. It has taken three very long years to even get this far, and myself and the company name still have a very far journey to get to where I want it to be.”
Will the choreography for the company’s second show Humanity be similar to what we have seen in Secret’s of a Family Portrait?
I obviously love contemporary, but my training and background are very diverse. A lot of people don’t know that about me, and I want my company pieces to express more sides of myself and background, as well as adding in some cultural dance forms within the contemporary movement. I want my audience to walk away feeling like they have been through an experience. So therefore yes the foundation of movement will still be contemporary, but the new show is more deep-rooted, grounded, and different elements of choreography.
At your company auditions, what do you look for in dancers?
I work with energies. It’s all about how dancers present themselves and how open they are to being vulnerable. I also look for positive attitudes and humble people. Loyalty to the brand is also important, if I have seen you in workshops or classes and you come to audition for me you already have brownie points! I want dancers that have been interested in what I am building from the ground up. As far as genres, I usually look for dancers that are versatile. And also clean technique is a biggie for me, I would rather see a single pirouette with a suspended balance than whipping or ‘spinning’ through three turns while sitting in your supporting leg.
Save the Dates:
*September: (Exact date TBA) Holding Company Auditions!
*October 10th & 11th: Collaboration Dance Workshop Bryanston!
* March 5th: “Humanity” Debut Performance at Atterbury Theatre
Chace Dance Company 