Khensani Mathebula - 2021 Virtual Ardsley Residency

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.

Artistic Director:
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.

Website:
http://mathetadance.com