2021 Virtual
Ardsley Residency
In 2018, the Dance Gallery began a residency program in collaboration with Catskill Arts Society for artists to develop works for the NYC Season. This residency takes place Labor Day weekend and is an all inclusive residency, offering travel from NYC, accommodations, meals, rehearsal space, and a community showing at the end. With the shifts that the world has seen since the onset of the novel coronavirus, the 2020 residency has been moved online so that we can continue supporting the development of new work in a way that is safe for creators, performers, and audiences. Please enjoy the work and behind the scenes look into creating work during this time.
Khensani Mathebula
Teddy Tedholm, photo by Marcus Branch
Khensani Mathebula founded MATHETA Dance in 2017, with aspirations to build its presence in both the States and South Africa. Khensani was discovered in her hometown Johannesburg, South Africa, by international guest Ana Marie Forsythe at a Horton workshop, and recruited to the competitive Ailey School/Fordham University BFA program in New York City. She graduated cum laude as a double major in Dance (as a select Independent Study Choreographer) and Political Science. She danced with Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company, and performed works by noteworthy choreographers including Ronald K. Brown, Matthew Rushing, Michael Leon Thomas and Vincent Mantsoe, as well as Alvin Ailey in his classic work “Memoria” at New York City Center Theater. The Company has enjoyed residencies with CUNY Dance Initiative at Brooklyn College in 2018, and the Ardsley Choreographic Residency in 2019, and has performed in numerous festivals around New York City including Movement Research at Judson Memorial Church, Battery Dance Festival, and Dance Gallery Festival.
About the Company:
MATHETA Dance is an afro-modern, storytelling dance company. The name ‘Matheta’ plays on the word ‘thetha’, which in the South African Xhosa language means ‘to talk’. The company speaks through movement. We believe dance is a language of the spirit with the power to impact and uplift people to be used both as a medium for social activism, and as a practice for embodying beauty and joy in motion. We are a project-based company in New York City with dreams to establish a strong presence in both the U.S. and South Africa. mathetadance.com
About the work
“Repair” - A season of growth or a season of repair – this duet moves through contemplations of stepping back, pushing through and holding onto something to be treasured.
Performed by Tyler Clark and Caleb Austin.
Behind the Scenes
Repair
Artist Talkback
Sunday June 13th at 7pm
Join us for a conversation with Khensani Mathebula to discuss the creation of Repair. They will be joined by Astrid von Ussar of Dance Gallery Festival, Sally Wright of CAS Arts Center, and moderator Quinn Czejkowski.