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Pro Arte Alphen Park’s Dance Department is proud to present another exciting Absolute Dance production at the South African State Theatre. As always we have a thrilling program planned for you. After the success of last year, we are including our Grade 9, 10 and 11 dance learners doing their African Dance pieces. Grade 9 will be doing a Gumboot number; Grade 10 is taking on Afro Fusion and Grade 11 will be showing us a traditional Setswana dance.
The Ballet is going down a contemporary route this year and reviving a brilliant work by Sue Kirkland, called “Silent Mask”.
Maria Lorca Montoya is inviting us into the classical side of Spanish this year, but keeping it local with a bit of African joy sprinkled in.
Kaylan Marais is fast becoming an integral part of our yearly production. He will be featured as guest artist in the ballet and is again co-choreographing the Jazz part of our show with me. This year we are really throwing a bucket full of energy and sass into the show.
As a Dance department, we succeed only through teamwork as we cultivate a sense of community. It is with this in mind that I would like to sincerely thank each of the Dance staff members for their total commitment to our art form and our students. Your professionalism, passion and dedication is second to none! Maria Lorca Montoya, Sue Kirkland, Nigel Hannah, and our pianist, Ferdi Geyer…. you are the reason we thrive as a department!
To the parents involved in making this show happen by supporting your children through all the rehearsals – many, many thanks!
I would also like to thank the Pro Arte staff members who have assisted us in creating the brilliant production we have this year. Our Drama, Visual Arts, Music and Hospitality departments have all lifted Absolute Dance 2026 to new heights!
Lastly, to all the dance learners: you are the very reason we do what we do. Thank you for countless hours of hard work. I hope that the experience you have performing at the State Drama Theatre this year will happily stay with you for a long time. We are so proud of all of you!
It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome you back to the South African State Theatre! I am confident that the production this year is going to be as impressive as the many previous productions produced by the Pro Arte Dance department. Thank you once again to our brilliant dance teachers for their hard work and dedication. Thank you to our parents who assisted where it matters. Of course, the show would not take place without the many hours put in by the dance learners themselves. Many public holidays and weekends were spent rehearsing to ensure another flawless performance.
This year’s production is entitled ‘Absolute Dance 2026!’ It includes brand new dance works from our talented dance staff. A contemporary Ballet, a more classical side of Spanish and some sassy Jazz will be showcased. The Gr 9, 10 and 11 dance leaners will also be showing off their African Dance skills as part of this year’s production.
Thank you to the Music, Drama and Art departments for their contribution to the Gala performance. We look forward to seeing their work in the foyer of the Drama theatre. Many thanks to the Hospitality Department for providing the refreshments prior to the Gala performance.
It is through productions like this that our school can showcase itself and attract talented young dancers, musicians and artists.
When I was deciding on what to do for this year’s production, I wanted to produce something meaningful and current. In the world of dance, companies across the globe are increasingly moving toward works that are not genre-specific. The focus is shifting to the art of movement itself, rather than defining pieces strictly as Ballet or Contemporary.
Pro Arte is being challenged in the same way, and interestingly, I chose to revisit a piece originally choreographed in 2006 – one in which I intentionally blurred the boundaries of being genre-specific. It is Contemporary not only in its movement vocabulary, but also in its theme, and builds on a strong classical technique.
We are surrounded by the “mask of social media.” What was originally created as a reflection on self and relationships has become even more relevant in today’s society. These masks are carefully constructed for appearance, for others, and for social acceptance. Through this work, we explore the act of pulling those masks away and embracing vulnerability within ourselves and in our connections with others.
| Choreography | Sue Kirkland |
| Music | Arvo Part, Fratres Steve Reich, The Four Sections Charles Ives, The Unanswered Question |
| Guest Artist | Kaylan Marais |
In this Gumboot number the dancers will be showing us the upbeat, fun and energetic movements with tricky rhythms and toe tapping beats.
This year’s Afro Fusion is a combination of African and Jazz and the dancers are doing us proud in this difficult style of African Dance.
These dancers will be taking us through a traditional celebration dance in the Setswana culture. This dance is often done at weddings, funerals and initiations.
| Choreography | Helen de Jongh and Kaylan Marais |
| Music | Lady Gaga, 2Wei, Leon Else, Reysha Rami, Pomplamoose Ft Sarah Dugas |
Known for its sharp movements, playful style, and unmistakable attitude, jazz dance celebrates the joy of movement and the excitement of performing.
In this showcase, dancers bring the spirit of jazz to the stage through energetic choreography, musicality, and personality. From sassy struts to powerful jumps and rhythmic footwork, each piece captures the vibrant character that makes jazz dance so unique.
Tonight’s performance invites you to experience the rhythm, the energy, and the pure joy that jazz dance brings to both dancers and audiences alike.
| Choreography | Helen de Jongh and Kaylan Marais |
| Music | Lady Gaga, 2Wei, Leon Else, Reysha Rami, Pomplamoose Ft Sarah Dugas |
This year I felt the pull of the beauty and variety of Spanish Dance and it’s captivating ability of filtering into so many aspects of music and dance – I chose to choreograph to beautiful Classical Spanish Dance Music, but also to the raw authenticity of Flamenco, and to once again show the connection of African and Spanish dance, but also exploring into the excitement of the Latin American Rumba!
| Choreography | Maria Lorca Montoya Kgomotso Mogotsi (African component in Tangos) |
| Helen De Jongh | — | HOD / Jazz Gr 8–12 Anatomy & History Gr 8–12 |
| Nigel Hannah | — | Ballet / History Grade 8 & 9 |
| Sue Kirkland | — | Ballet Gr 10–12 |
| Maria Lorca Montoya | — | Spanish Gr 8–12 |
| Rampai Mohadi | — | African Component Grade 9–11 |
| Ferdi Geyer | — | Ballet Accompanist |
| Christopher Montague | — | Stage Manager |
| Simon King | — | Lighting Designer |
| Technical Crew | — | State Theatre |
| Vanessa Nicolau | — | Props and Stage Decor |
| Marguerite Klein | — | Costumier |
| Caoimhe Adams |
| Amazolo Dladla |
| Gomolemo Makena |
| Kgosigadi Ntsiyene |
| Tlotlego Sebopa |
| Verona Harris |
| Jazmyn Jaftha |
| Jada Mema |
| Omphile Moremi |
| Bokang Nkabinde |
| Kananelo Piti |
| Rorisang Sekhukhune |
| Kea Shabangu |
| Bontle Tswayi |
| Suri Cloete |
| Lehakwe Hlahane |
| Thato Khunou |
| Reabetswe Letsike |
| Keoikantse Malema |
| Mihle Mapolisa |
| Naledi Motale |
| Evelyn Munyeki |
| Diaco Nell |
| Alison Schippers |
| Maphuthi Thobakgale |
| Zoë Dada |
| Masego Dibete |
| Faith Maimela |
| Lethabo Mosia |
| Bulelwa Hlengwa |
| Lesedi Khandela |
| Khanyisile Modiselle |
| Lerato Motsieloa |
| Kebadilwe Moyo |
| Elsie Sita |
| Goatile Tshikare |
| Izabella Wakeham |
