BABA YAYA and Slow Life present "Phoenix - Rising Up" at The Wave Theatre

ABOUT

Phoenix is a coming of age African contemporary performance centered around 4 key narratives which are directly connected to the performers. 

By focusing on significant real life themes the audience becomes witness to a deeply personal therapeutic process. 

Central themes:

• The bravery and determination it takes to follow a career in the arts.
• The resilience needed in order to recover from severe trauma and injury. 
• How the power of community is fundamental in overcoming loss and grief. 
• How a leader, while battling with her own tragedy can offer strength and direction to the group.

This process and production could only be possible through the collaboration of a highly skilled and experienced creative team. Choreographers, musicians, playwrights, artists and designers join forces in what is truly an unique African production.

Through song, dance and the spoken word, this performance becomes a container for something much greater than we can imagine, ultimately highlighting the transformational potential of the arts, showing us that no matter the circumstances, joy, hope, wisdom and direction can always be found. 

BABA YAYA - Liberating Creative Excellence

The BABA YAYA Professional African Performing Arts Academy is dedicated to providing training and opportunities in the arts to talented youths from under-resourced communities. The NGO specifically works with highly skilled teachers and creatives in order to offer its students and company members an environment of excellence. 

With a rigorous dance, performance and musically orientated curriculum, the objectives of the organisation are to transform its students into the creative leaders of the future.

Formerly known as the Indoni Dance, Arts and Leadership Academy, a strategic decision to rebrand took place in 2022. 

“ baba yaya ” - Ancient African myth referring to the spirit or god of performance. It is told that this spirit would inhabit tribal members during ritualistic ceremony. The purpose of this was so that the tribe could gain fundamental insights into the nature of what it means to be human.

NB!! Phoenix deals with deep subject matter and can be sensitive to children.

Cast 

Performers:

Yolanda Ntanyana | Wongalethu Kasba | Anelisa Wana

Sisipho Mponzo | Lulama Noboza | Nico Masepe

Yonela Macibela | Mcebisi Fani  | Siphiwo Jentu 

Puseletso Maile | Entle Matyathanga | Zachary Peterson

Musicians:

Gary "Moodship" Thomas | Sumalgy Nuro

Andile "Oros" Kraai | Kirya Kuti

Creative Team: 

Benjamin Nivison (curator) | Maxwell Rani | Zimbini Makwethu  | Janine Booysen

Balu Nivison | Leroy Samuels | Lwanda Sindaphi | Marlin Zoutman | Victoria Spencer

Official partners:

The Crazy Store

TFG (The Foschini Group)

The Ackerman Family Foundation

Slow Life

DIRECTIONS