This month Bawren delivered a Shona dance workshop in preparation for Black Panther star and Tony-nominated writer Danai Gurira’s striking play The Convert at the Young Vic, directed by Ola Ince. The play is set in Zimbabwe in 1896 and follows the harrowing story of Jekesai, a young woman fleeing forced marriage.

Bawren worked with the cast, including Letitia Wright (Black Panther), Paapa Essiedu (RSC Hamlet) and Ivanno Jeremiah (Humans), giving guidance on Shona dance techniques. He also led a Q&A session that allowed the cast to delve deeper into their roles.

“I loved working with this group of extraordinarily talented actors. I was tapping in to knowledge that even I was surprised to find in the depths of my consciousness, from my upbringing in Zimbabwe. I find it very cathartic to revisit my roots”. Bawren Tavaziva

For more information and to book click here!

Bawren was invited to In2it International Dance Festival in Norway to create an adapted version of Izindava with three Tavaziva dancers and 23 Norwegian dancers – including five professional dancers from Compassion 2 Dance, three dance students from Sunndal Culture school, and 11 dance students from Kristiansund Opera Ballet center

The dancers had one week to learn the unique choreography and due to all their hard work and determination, the dancers delivered an incredible performance on 30 September 2018.  Tavaziva dancers, Asmara, Nicole, and Harriet, really enjoyed collaborating with the Norwegian dancers, and both Bawren and Tendai Makurumbandi, artistic director of Compassion 2 Dance and In2it International Dance Festival programme leader, were thrilled with the outcome.

We are proud to say that the performance received a standing ovation!

Photo credit to Steinar Husby

Notch and Green Hippo specialise in the design and manufacturing of hardware and software for manipulation of video in the AV industry. In April they commissioned Bawren to choreograph and perform in an interactive demo in Germany. Bawren had the opportunity to wear a motion capture suit and see his movements digitalised on a screen, displaying real-time visual effects, backgrounds and avatars.

This month Bawren held a fascinating R&D session with the production team to understand how the technology works and how far it can be taken by the body.

This combination of real-time motion capture and dance opens many creative possibilities. Bawren has been inspired to incorporate motion capture in his new work in order to create an innovative performance of both futuristic technology and the earthbound art of dance. This exceptional work will premier in 2020.

In2it International Dance Festival is a dance festival run by Tendai Makurumbandi, a professional dancer and choreographer from Zimbabwe, who now teaches in Norway. Norwegian, French and UK companies get invited to the boundless festival that prides itself on cultural exchange and excellence.

Tavaziva were lucky enough to be invited last year, and again this year! Bawren and dancers Nicole, Harriet and Asmara will create a new version of Izindava with the integration of 23 Norwegian dancer. The Tavaziva and Norwegian dancers are training this week and performing on Sunday the 30th of September!

We asked Tendai three questions we’ve all been desperate to know, and his answers were so interesting! Check them out:

What is your favorite part of the festival?

My favorite part of the festival is when the program is rolling with artists closely sharing their work through performances and workshops.

How did you come to start running the festival?

Well, on a daily basis I work as a dance teacher within several culture schools in the region Møre Romsdal County. So dance has been the starting and ending at the culture school level, so I started the festival to break that cycle and bring in professional dancing to the region promoting cultural understanding, innovation and excellency! Our mission is to build cultural bridges though dance.

What are the Norwegian dancer’s backgrounds?

It will be 5 dancers from my company (Compassion 2Dance), 3 dance students from Sunndal Culture school, and 11 dance students from Kristiannsund Opera Ballet centre.

My company dancers came to be a part of the project because I would like to collaborate with Tavaziva in the near future, this will be a good starting point to create a working relationship.

As my intension is to develop dance in the region, so I have to invest in the upcoming dancers, the younger generation who has a huge interest in dance. I would like to further expose them to the dance world, meeting different experiences, share work and stage with professional dancers, create role models and inspire.