‘Stepping in Situ’ is a class series rooted in Francesca Matthys’s unique improvisational and choreographic method, developed to explore ancestral wisdom, identity and intuition through movement. As a descendant of the Khoi and San people of Southern Africa, Francesca draws on the Nama Stap, a rite of passage dance of the Nama people, known for its rhythmic footwork, as inspiration for this practice. Centered in the pelvis as a site of embodied knowledge and connection, ‘Stepping in Situ’ invites participants into rhythmic, open-ended movement scores that echo the spirit of the Nama Stap. The class will guide participants through introspection, storytelling and creation, blending physical heat, grounding, breath, and togetherness, while integrating written and spoken text to enrich the narrative and meaning of movement. ‘Stepping in Situ’ provides an affirming space for participants to rediscover and reimagine connections to heritage, bridging personal, cultural, and spiritual histories through body and story, and offering new ways to connect with identity even when far from ancestral lands.
Access
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 9665, to speak directly to a member of the Independent Dance team. Alternatively, you may phone the main reception at Siobhan Davies Studios on 0207 091 9650.
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.
Cancellations and refunds
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.
Francesca Matthys (she/her) is a South African interdisciplinary dance artist, writer, facilitator, and Kundalini Yoga teacher, now based in London. Her work is rooted in exploring ancestral wisdom and is guided by themes of movement, text, inclusivity, and community. With an MA in Creative Practice: Dance Professional from Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Francesca’s career includes collaborations with leading organizations such as The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative (SA), Drama for Life (SA), JOMBA!, Theatre Rites, Agudo Dance Company, and Dance Umbrella (SA & UK). She has also worked with the Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, Independent Dance, London Performance Studios, Afrovibes, and The Place. Her work has been supported by The British Council and her collaborations have taken her to venues including Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg and Casa de Cultura SoMovimento (Brazil). Francesca facilitates inclusive dance workshops for the Baked Bean Charity, is a Creative Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg, and is mentored by Seeta Patel in the Sadler’s Wells Mentorship Programme.