NOT one to rest on his proverbial laurels, Luyanda Sidiya takes to the stage of the Market Theatre tonight in the musical Ketekang.
Fresh from his career-building announcement as the 2015 Standard Bank Young Artist Awards winner for dance, he will show his real mettle and prowess that earned him the prestigious place in the arts firmament.
When he returned from New York to the news of the Young Artist award he went straight into the rehearsals.
"I have not had a chance to celebrate. But the only way to celebrate for me is to work even harder," he says.
He regards the accolade as a symbol of hope celebrating the creative talent of young people in South Africa.
As a recipient of the award, Sidiya, 31, has to produce his dream work to be presented at the National Art Festival next July.
For now his focus is on choreographing Ketekang, which is directed by James Ngcobo.
He says the musical celebrates and interrogates where Africans are going.
"We celebrate our beauty and greatness as a nation. It's a collaboration between Tshepo Mngoma and James and it is a humbling experience.
"As much as I am giving, I am also learning a lot from James. I have been through various learning processes in my career, and I am not in a hurry."
Sidiya was in New York with his play Umnikelelo (Thanks Giving) in which, he gives thanks for what he has achieved in his life.
Through the piece, he says he also encouraged his dancers to inspire and bless others with their work.
"I said, 'there is a reason why you're dancing, offer yourself so you can become a blessing to the next person. Seeing you performing may change their perspective, and make them interrogate their ways."
He says Umnikelo is a traditional work influenced by Africanism.
Some of Sidiya's highlights include choreographing Full Moon, a piece staged at the Nelson Mandela Theatre in Braamfontein to mark 15 years of existence of the Vuyani Dance Theatre. It comprised 25 dancers and a full orchestra.
Sidiya joined Moving Into Dance in 1994 and has not looked back.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Sidiya gives thanks, spreads blessings
NOT one to rest on his proverbial laurels, Luyanda Sidiya takes to the stage of the Market Theatre tonight in the musical Ketekang.
Fresh from his career-building announcement as the 2015 Standard Bank Young Artist Awards winner for dance, he will show his real mettle and prowess that earned him the prestigious place in the arts firmament.
When he returned from New York to the news of the Young Artist award he went straight into the rehearsals.
"I have not had a chance to celebrate. But the only way to celebrate for me is to work even harder," he says.
He regards the accolade as a symbol of hope celebrating the creative talent of young people in South Africa.
As a recipient of the award, Sidiya, 31, has to produce his dream work to be presented at the National Art Festival next July.
For now his focus is on choreographing Ketekang, which is directed by James Ngcobo.
He says the musical celebrates and interrogates where Africans are going.
"We celebrate our beauty and greatness as a nation. It's a collaboration between Tshepo Mngoma and James and it is a humbling experience.
"As much as I am giving, I am also learning a lot from James. I have been through various learning processes in my career, and I am not in a hurry."
Sidiya was in New York with his play Umnikelelo (Thanks Giving) in which, he gives thanks for what he has achieved in his life.
Through the piece, he says he also encouraged his dancers to inspire and bless others with their work.
"I said, 'there is a reason why you're dancing, offer yourself so you can become a blessing to the next person. Seeing you performing may change their perspective, and make them interrogate their ways."
He says Umnikelo is a traditional work influenced by Africanism.
Some of Sidiya's highlights include choreographing Full Moon, a piece staged at the Nelson Mandela Theatre in Braamfontein to mark 15 years of existence of the Vuyani Dance Theatre. It comprised 25 dancers and a full orchestra.
Sidiya joined Moving Into Dance in 1994 and has not looked back.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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