Tamra Chace: on her impassioned vision for CDC in 2015

After an American based career as a professional dancer and choreographer, Tamra Chace has finally been welcomed into the South African dance world as Artistic Director of Chace Dance Company. 

You seem to be changing your career path from more performance work to choreographic work. Yes, I have been performing for years, and my priorities in life are changing.. I’m prepared for taking the next step in my career; I have learned what to do and what not to do.

How do you approach directing? I’m very hands-on, and I really enjoy this job, even the difficult parts. I like the strategy, the planning, and working with dancers. I am a super organized worker and planner, I need to know exactly what I am doing before entering the room.

How would you define Chace Dance Company’s identity? Every dance company in South Africa has its place, and our remit is to always do something innovative. We always have to be looking ahead for the new ideas and trends. I do want to show more stylized influence from Ronen Koresh’s work with Koresh Dance Company. We are the first contemporary company to do a full-length contemporary production!

Where do you want to take the company’s repertoire? My first priority is to expand it exponentially throughout Gauteng and North West Provinces. Chace Dance Company has a strong focus on narrative contemporary, and I really want to further that.

How did the project/idea of  “Secrets of a Family Portrait” come about? I feel like it is time to show my real colors in this country. It is my goal to present the audience as many different voices as possible within the story line. There is so much happening all at once, a lot of mini stories that make up one big motive. No one really shares what happens behind closed doors; and we are about to do just that.

Who should the audience look out for in this production? I’m very excited to bring someone out like Fayme Hattingh. She has such wonderful work ethic and is very honest in her dancing, I’ve had my eye on her for a while now. Also keep an eye out for the up and coming Tamsyn Dexter, at just 15 years of age her mature movement is unpredictable and her progression has been consistent. But really each dancer brings something amazing to the table in this show!

The Gauteng Story

The City’s ever-expanding dance scene has made it an increasingly appealing and affordable option to make a living as a  professional dancer! 

When locals talk about Johannesburg or Pretoria, they often say outsiders won’t understand its appeal unless they move there for themselves. Tourists sites and safaris may bring thousands of visitors to the area, but reveal little of its artistic character. Dancers in South Africa thrive on the country’s vibrancy it’s expanding, yet intimate, arts community with both traditional and contemporary voices. For years national companies like Mzansi Ballet, and Jburg Ballet have anchored the dance scene, while Craig Bullock’s Dance Web, El’Shebang, Chace Dance Company shake things up!

There have been more and more dancers relocating to Pretoria and Johannesburg  for the dance scene lately,  to take advantage of it’s lower cost of living and cheaper studio rentals. The abundance of dance education options plays the biggest role. Dancers come to train at TUT, National School for the Arts, Dance Web Studios, and Chace Dance.

 

When thinking of relocating due to underestimating the dance industry in this area, take a step back and really think. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

-CDC