Stepping in Situ is Matthys’ improvisational and choreographic storytelling practice that explores connections and disconnections to ancestral wisdom, intuition, and identity: particularly through the pelvis and rhythmic feet. Rooted in her cultural heritage as a descendant of the indigenous Khoi and San peoples of Southern Africa, the practice is in direct conversation with the Nama Stap Dance, a rite of passage ritual integral to parts of her lineage. In this practice, participants will engage in a series of improvisational scores that cultivate awareness of their relationships to ancestry and ancestral memory, considering how these shape their current existence and artistic practices.
Currently in her research, the practice as well as object improvisation, serves as a container to research themes from Matthys’ latest choreographic work Aandag! (Attention), which reflects on what it means to be called to attention, whether by one’s lineage or by urgent socio-political realities, including the ongoing crisis of femicide in South Africa and beyond.
Francesca Matthys (she/her) is a South African Interdisciplinary Dance Artist, Writer, Dance Educator and Kundalini Yoga Teacher based in London. Her practice and artistic work is rooted in connections to ancestral wisdoms through movement, text/storytelling, inclusivity, collaboration and community.
Francesca’s diverse artistic background includes a BA specialising in Physical Theatre, Directing and Playwriting and an MA Creative Practice: Dance Professional from Trinity Laban.
She has been part of collaborations supported by The British Council and Arts Council England and has worked with organisations and artists such as Mamela Nyamza, The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative, Drama for Life, JOMBA, Theatre Rites, Agudo Dance, Toussaint To Move, Dance Umbrella SA/UK, Independent Dance, Dance Art Journal, South East Dance, Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg, Serendipity Institute for Black Arts & Heritage, London Performance Studios, Corali Dance Company, Sadlers Wells, Case de Cultura SoMoviemento BR and The Place.
Independent Dance is resident at Siobhan Davies Studios. To find out more about accessibility and the amenities available within the building please see here.
If you have any questions about the accessibility of our programme and would like to discuss any specific access requirements, please feel free to reach out to us via email info@independentdance.co.uk or by phone on 0207 091 9650, to speak to a member of the Independent Dance team.
During class, all participants are welcome to take breaks, observe, exit and enter the space as they wish. Lounge areas are available on the first and ground floors of the building. Yoga mats, blocks, cushions and ear defenders are available for use. We also welcome you being in contact if you would like to discuss the option of bringing your access support worker. Please speak to a member of the ID team if you require any assistance.
Prices for classes are kept very low and are subsidised by ID in order to support artists to attend. To keep admin manageable for our small team, we don’t offer refunds if you cancel or can’t attend a class, and we can’t transfer your booking to a different class/event. We hope this is understandable. If a class is cancelled or changed by ID however, we do offer refunds/transfers to everyone who has booked.