CHOREOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE
-
Commissioned by Jomba! Contemporary Dance Experience in Durban (RSA): KZN OnEdge! (September 2024)
-
Commissioned by the National Arts Festival in Makhanda (RSA): Main Program (as part of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award) (July 2022)
-
Collaboration with musician Msaki at the Lyric Theatre for the Bassline Live at Lyric Theatre Concert in Johannesburg (RSA) (February 2022)
-
National Art Festival in Makhanda (RSA): Arena Platform (July 2019)
Commissioned for the South African State Theatre’s Kucheza Dance Festival in Pretoria (RSA): Main Program (April 2022)
-
Jomba! Contemporary Dance Experience in Durban (RSA): Fringe (September 2016)
Dance Umbrella Festival in. Johannesburg (RSA): Young Choreographers (March 2017)
National Arts Festival in Makhanda (RSA): Fringe (Award Winning) (July 2018)
Brighton Fringe Festival in Brighton (UK): Fringe (Award winning) (May 2019)
South African State Theatre’s Kucheza Dance Festival in Pretoria (RSA): Young Choreographers. (April 2021)
National Tour (RSA): Supported by the Department of Arts and Culture (February & May 2022)
Commissioned by the Market Theatre in Johannesburg (RSA) for the 16 days of activism season (November 2022)
Commissioned by Performing Arts Centre of the Free State in Bloemfontein (RSA) (August 2023)
-
Commissioned for Jomba! Contemporary Dance Experience in Durban (RSA): KZN
OnEdge! (September 2018) -
Fresha Festival in Durban (RSA): a public art festival (January 2018)
-
The Playhouse Company in Durban (RSA) for the KZN Arts Showcase (October 2017)
-
Jomba! Contemporary Dance Experience (RSA): Fringe (September 2016)
Dance Umbrella Festival: Fringe (March 2017)
* Full-length performance videos are available upon request.
“Unveiled”
"Unveiled" is a solo dance piece that explores the relationship between personal history and artistic expression, attempting to unravel my ancestral lineage. It originated from my curiosity about the relationship I never had with my grandparents. As an artist, my practice is profoundly influenced by the interconnected narratives of my dance heritage and geological roots. While my practice is grounded in classical ballet and modern dance techniques, my movements are also shaped by the deep, intangible connection to my ancestral history that I am still striving to uncover.
This piece delves into the multiple influences that shape my journey: the tangible effects of my dance training and the intangible resonance of my ancestral migration stories. My grandparents' geographical background informs how I currently navigate and understand the world, intertwining with my dance roots to create a rich and intricate narrative.
Through "Unveiled," I aim to reveal how these elements interact to shape my identity and influence my creative process. I reflect on the relationships I never had while embracing the imagined lessons, cultures, and languages that become lost over time. The performance examines how the merging of dance history and geological heritage informs my artistic journey, offering a nuanced perspective on the impact of lineage on creative expression.
Title
Unveiled
Year
2024
Conceplulized and Choreographed by
Kristi-Leigh Gresse
Costume Design
Thandeka kaMsuthu
Set Design
Kristi-Leigh Gresse
Projection Design
Kristi-Leigh Gresse
Lighting Design
Wesley Maherry
Msaki in Collaboration with Kristi-Leigh Gresse Live at Lyric Theatre
In 2022, I had the honor of collaborating with the incredibly talented South African musician Msaki for the live performance of her album Platinumb Heart. This remarkable work was showcased during a concert at Bassline Live, held at the stunning Lyric Theatre on February 25, 2022. StandBank Arts graciously supported the event, making it possible.
Our performance at the Lyric Theatre, located in vibrant Gold Reef City, was a unique experience. The exquisite sound of a talented string quartet, combined with the rhythmic energy of Msaki’s dynamic band, enhanced the overall atmosphere. Leading up to the event, we dedicated an entire week to meticulously planning every detail of the performance. It was more than just a concert; it was an immersive journey that weaved together rich narratives through a powerful combination of music, dance, and visual storytelling.
For those interested, a link to an article about this event can be found below.
Year
2022
Musician
Msaki
Dancer
Kristi-Leigh Gresse
Purgatory: a working title...
Purgatory- “the abyss.”
(in Catholic doctrine) a place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven.
"all her sins were forgiven, and she would not need to go to Purgatory."
“Amidst a time of uncertainty, a country that remains nameless is struggling to find its place. Experiencing feelings of confusion and disorientation as if in a state of limbo, trapped in this moment, surrounded by a pervasive sense of emptiness, almost as if you are in a state of purgatory. However, there are moments when a singular voice can be heard cutting through the heavy atmosphere like a beacon.”
"Purgatory" plunges audiences into the depths of uncertainty, immersing them in the haunting landscape of a nation grappling with its identity during turbulent times. Drawing inspiration from Samuel Beckett's seminal masterpiece, Waiting for Godot, this dance theatre production offers a visceral exploration of a country persistently trapped in a state of limbo, where progress feels perpetually out of reach. Against a backdrop of echoing emptiness, a solitary voice emerges, breaking through the dense atmosphere like a beacon of hope.
Choreographer/Co-director
Kristi-Leigh Gresse
Director
Matjamlea Motloung
Composer & Musicians
Sandiswe Lisa Ntonga, Zawadi Ya Munbu
Dancers
Kirsty Ndawo, Kristi-Leigh Gresse
Set & Lighting Design
Wilhelm Disbergen
Costume Design
Khetha Kweyana (ELPPAG)
Crafted for the National Arts Festival's curated program, "Purgatory" is a sensory journey guided by choreographer and co-director Kristi-Leigh Gresse and directed by Matjamlea Motloung. The performance marries an evocative movement with original compositions by Sandiswe Lisa Ntonga and Zawadi Ya Munbu, evoking raw emotions and challenging entrenched ideologies.
As dancers Kirsty Ndawo and Kristi-Leigh Gresse embody the nation's struggles, set against the atmospheric designs of Wilhelm Disbergen and the intricate costumes by Khetha Kweyana, "Purgatory" becomes a vivid tapestry of societal tensions and aspirations. It invites audiences to confront uncomfortable truths, igniting vital conversations about societal transformation and pursuing a more equitable future.
Encryption
Our genetic makeup is a complex tapestry woven from the traumas and experiences of our ancestors, encrypted within our DNA. Despite the ever-changing world around us, these traumas remain a part of us, shaping our personalities, beliefs, and behaviour in society. As human beings, we all have an inherent need for belonging, and we tirelessly strive to establish our sense of self and find our place in the world.
Encryption embodies this intricate facet of our humanity - a reflection of what makes us who we are. Through its use of movement, imagery, and song, this production takes the audience on a journey to explore the depths of our identities and gain a better understanding of ourselves. It probes into the very fabric of our existence, revealing the secrets embedded in our DNA and the narratives of our forebears.
Initially performed at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda in 2019 on the Arena Platform, Encryption is a production that encapsulates the essence of what it means to be human. By creating an immersive experience that captivated South African audiences, the production was set to reach a global audience, including the esteemed Brighton Fringe Festival in the United Kingdom. However, the global lockdowns forced the production to wait in the wings until it was eventually commissioned as a main programme feature at the Kucheza Dance Festival by the South African State Theatre in April 2022.
Choreographer
Kristi-Leigh Gresse
Director
Matjamlea Motloung
Text
Nomakhwezi Becker
Performers
Kristi-Leigh Gresse, Kirsty Ndawo, Portia Luthuli, Tshediso Kubulu
Lighting Design
Hlomohang Spider Mothetho
SULLIED
Sullied: to damage the purity or integrity of…
"Sullied" exposes the erosion of purity and integrity, echoing the prevalent societal narrative of enduring abuse and pain. Through the visceral mediums of dance and spoken word, the production confronts the complex web of rape culture, gender identity, race polarisation, and religious influences, challenging prevailing patriarchal ideologies and misogyny's profound impact on the human psyche.
Originally conceived as a response to ongoing violence against women in South Africa, "Sullied" has evolved to dissect how Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is mishandled by political entities, notably in the context of the Zuma Rape Trial. Premiering at the Jomba! Contemporary Dance Experience in 2017, the piece gained acclaim, culminating in being awarded the Gold Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival in 2018 and the South East Dance Award at the Brighton Fringe Festival in the UK in 2019.
Under the direction of choreographer and performer Kristi-Leigh Gresse, in collaboration with director Matjamela Motloung, "Sullied" presents a stark critique of societal complacency towards suffering and abuse. Featuring Sandile Mkhize, Fezeka Shandu, and Andiswa Bebashe, the production incorporates sign language, reaching a community often overlooked in discussions about gender-based violence and discrimination. "Sullied" acts as a medium to deepen its exploration of patriarchal structures and the internalised trauma within individuals.
Through its probing narrative, "Sullied" scrutinises the societal mechanisms perpetuating women's subjugation, prompting audiences to confront their complicity in upholding oppressive norms. This thought-provoking performance challenges entrenched biases and advocates for a transformative societal shift towards equality and respect for women's autonomy and dignity.
Choreographer
Kristi-Leigh Gresse
Dancers
Kristi-Leigh Gresse, Sandile Mkhize
Actor
Fezeka Shandu
Production Assistant
Phumelele Ngcobo
Poetry by
Khwezi Becker
Sign interpreter
Andiswa Bebashe
“Remaining silent is not an option. The mind and body will still speak, even when the world tries to silence them. Embrace the urgency of your story and let it live through your art.”
- Kristi-Leigh Gresse
“Through art, we have the power to transcend boundaries, bridge divides, and illuminate the shared humanity that unites us all.”
— Kristi-Leigh Gresse