On Tuesday 21st February 2012 Tavaziva Dance piloted their first Workplace Visit which was attended by 6 participants and 1 teacher, 4 participants being A level students from Beaconsfield High School, 1 participant who currently attends London Studios Centre and 1 participant who dances at Dance Works and currently teaches dance. Having marketed and administrated the event it was great to see it in reality and gain invaluable feedback from the participants.
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The workplace visit started with a short tour of the Bernie Grant Arts Centre which gave the participants an insight into the life and backstage work of an arts centre and see where the company rehearse, relax and where the management team is based. Then for half an hour the participants observed company class which was led by Douglas Thorpe. Douglas Thorpe is a former dancer for Phoenix Dance company and has had a successful career as a performer and choreographer in the dance industry . In 2008, Thorpe founded his own company Mad Dogs Dance Theatre and joins Tavaziva Dance for selected performances of ‘Sensual Africa’ this season as a musician. The class was engaging and gave an insight into how the company dancers train and maintain their fitness and technique.
Following the company class, the participants were given the opportunity to take part in a Question and Answer session with Bawren Tavaziva, the Artistic Director of Tavaziva Dance. It was great to gain some understanding of Bawren’s choreographic work and find out about his personal dance training path in Zimbabwe. Following on from this Iyshea Hunte, Executive Director for Tavaziva Dance gave a talk about ‘How to Manage a Dance Company’ which covered in depth, issues about Artistic Product, Funding, Fundraising and Sponsorship, Tour Booking and Tour Management, Marketing and Press, Merchandise and Education and Participation. This in-depth presentation was detailed, informative and would help those interested or considering setting up their own company, working behind the scenes for a company or interest in the management of a successful business.
Then the participants went back into the studio and their was an informal discussion with the dancers, which gave participants a chance to ask what it is like to be a professional dancer and be part of Tavaziva Dance. To conclude the workplace visit the dancers performed the first half of ‘Sensual Africa’ which was incredible. This was the first time I had ever seen the first half in full and I was blown away, which I think was shared by the participants. It was fierce, intimate and sensual and to hear Douglas Thorpe perform live with the company added a new dimension of excitement, exhilaration and sense of connection which united the dancers on stage.
It was great to have completed our first workplace visit and give students the opportunity to see Tavaziva Dance in a different light away from the stage and see the training, rehearsal which goes into Tavaziva Dance producing high level productions like ‘Sensual Africa’.
These are some of the comments which our participants said about our workplace visit:
‘It was very inspiring and insightful.’
‘The relaxed atmosphere made it comfortable.’
‘It was awesome.’
If you would like to book a workplace visit with Tavaziva Dance at The Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Haringey, the dates for booking are September (11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27), November (13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29) and December (4,6,11,13). The cost per participant is £10 and bookings must be made in advance. Please contact Tavaziva Dance at office@tavazivadance.com or 0208 365 9150 for more details.
