The language of movement

There is a new pair of toe-tapping feet in town.

Contemporary dance performer and choreographer, Nicole Theunissen joined Ballito’s Sugar Dance team last month, adding her quirky, fun personality to the bubbly team.

Cape Town-born Nicole holds a master’s degree in choreography.

“I had always wanted to be an actress. I started dancing during my second year at Rhodes University and suddenly felt I had found my niche.”

Nicole specialises in contemporary dance and believes the first step towards successful choreography is a deep understanding of one’s body.

“My work is about using the body to tell your life story. I am influenced by the teachings of the legendary Martha Graham and Isadora Duncan.”

During her postgraduate studies Nicole trained and performed with the First Physical Theatre Company.

She taught undergraduate movement studies at the University of Zululand before making the move to Ballito.

Last year Nicole was one of only three artisteducators selected to represent Africa in the YoungIDEA 2013 Congress in Paris.

She is proudest of her piece called ‘Erasure’, which she choreographed and performed at the National Arts Festival in 2012.

“I am excited about being part of the local dance scene. My focus will be on my students at Sugar Dance and I am eager to work with young and old. I hope even those who think they have two left feet will come for the lessons, so they can see dancing is not so difficult after all!”