Dare to Dream Workshop 3

IT CAME...IT SAW...IT CONQUERED! 

The Dare to Dream Arts Workshop was happening yet again this year and more of Hammanskraal's Talents have been inspired and affected in the best way possible: DREAMING.

 It was a week of inspiration, motivation and work, work, work. The day's activities started at 10am. With The different departments going to their corner to give off their best to the eager-eyed students who were ready to absorb all that would be taught to them.

Classes ranged from:

• Dance - Under the instructions of Paul Modjadji, Dawn Mayer and Percival Moeketsi
• Drama - Directed by Nombuso Mahlangu, Sipho Ndlovu, Paul Modjadji
• Modelling - Facilitated by generations actor and runway model Mishack and Sipho Ndlovu
• Music - Composed by Thabiso Saliwe. Assisted by Mahlatse Marakala, Lukay wa Lehipi .
• Broadcasting and media - run by Ray Morare and Sabelo Mahlare 

Left: Refilwe Modiselle, Albino Model

Right: Tuming Lee, owner of Kickstart Magazine 

Among the classes of the different Arts Disciplines, we also had a great Pep Talk by 2 of South Africa's leading Women. Internationally acclaimed model Refilwe Modiselle. One of the few Albino models to make it in the tough industry, who had a Skype conversation with the Workshop students from Johannesburg. 

Tuming Lee: Business woman and entrepreneur. Founder of the successful and empowering Magazine, Kickstart also came in to the workshops to share her secrets to success. She educated the classes on "The 4 P's of Business Economics. She also gave away copies of her books in a exercise that taught the students how to pitch an idea to a potential client or sponsor. 

The pitch presentation

Sabelo wins a copy of the mag

Another brilliant year of fun and learning. Inspiration and motivation as Hammanskraal is covered with the colour of stars when dreams are kindled. Looking forward to next year's even bigger ARTS WORKSHOP!!!

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Living the Dream

She was there to show passion and wanted to win approval. In-turn  she inspired and motivated the #dreamteam all over again. Auditioning her contemporary piece...A hero came out from within her.

Dare to Dream 2.0: dubbed to the 2nd generation of young dreamers. Auditions were held at Sebothoma Hall to recruit fresh talent. Go with us through this collage of the faces and memories over the 2 week audition window. 

Sing much? ba thate Mdu. Auditioning for acting and singing. 

 Even the judges couldn't hold back their smiles.

Her Name is MPHO

Above: aspiring actor Mpho does an original. And below...Pearl impresses with her very well prepared poem, also original.

Pearl Mimi Mathole

'And what comments do the judges say? Paul with audition candidate Lesego Tshutse who was auditioning for acting.' 

'Nervous Much? It takes a brave step to audition. A pat on the back for braving the fear and free falling into this industry that has only challenge after test.'

ENOUGH TO SCARE THE BRAVEST, JUDGES PANEL THAT MADE SURE EVERY ONE HAD THEIR CHANCE TO SHINE. SCARY LOOKING TILL YOU ACTUALLY AUDITION. PAUL, PHINDY AND NOMBUSO SIFTING THROUGH THE TALENT.  

Story of the day...Almost missing her audition. Just as the day was at its close, Tshepiso stops the judges car at the door to get her shine, RIGHT THERE! Auditioned in true "Hollywood style"...she impresses with her mature voice.

THAT IS THE STUFF DREAMS ARE MADE OF! 

>>>WHO MADE IT? WHO STAYS AND WHO GOES? 2.0 PROMISES TO BE ANOTHER GREAT CLASS. LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN>>>

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RELOADED!

And here it is. Paul Modjadji shares more on the journey that was started a year ago. For those who will be a part of it in the future...this is simply a MUST READ!

A note from the Founder of the Dare To Dream Leadership Through Art Programme – Paul Modjadji 

"Launching the Dare to Dream mentorship programme last year with 45 young shinning stars has without question been one of my life changing and enriching experiences. Almost from the start I had a feeling that our work would reap great rewards. 

Here were young people with stars in their eyes but living in a world where you could say they were forgotten. In this part of the world, there are no formal dance studios, arts centers or auditions for big TV or stage shows. Basically Kids or youth to take it that far hardly have platforms to explore their creative sides. This invariably means a society where recreational activity is a word that only exist in that form, as a word, not a reality young people can access. 


I saw and still see the programme as a way, albeit once a week, to try and engage young people on a different level than that being achieved at school, and to create a recreational programme that would be geared towards preparing them for the future. Through the programme young people would come together once a week to act, dance, sing, but most of all to learn to access the part of their brain that allows them to dream, to be creative and to lead. 

The programme from the start was conceived with the idea of sharing tools that great leaders are often known to have cultivated. To learn about the power of being visionary, disciplined, focused, hardworking, strong, prepared, educated, trained, and striving for the ultimate virtue of perseverance. As they gather week after week and put through various tasks and classes the participants have an opportunity to expand their brains and to build their character. I have observed with great pride as progress in the areas of personal development has taken place with participants. I have also gone home many a time with sadness in my heart, as we’ve had to let go of some of our participants due to the programme being strict on commitment. The aim from the beginning was to raise the bar on personal commitment front with the youth. The programme which is run freely has one major expectation, that can and may be considered as at the only price participants have to pay, full commitment. Participants have to be 100% committed to the programme as they are to their academics. In fact we have had to let go of some of our best creatives due to their academic results having dropped. The truth in that lesson is that in life they will be expected to show up in all areas of their lives. They will be wives and husbands, fathers and brother, sisters and mothers, yet they will still be expected to show up at work and be CEOs and captains of their industries. The notion that one area has to suffer in order to breath life into another is a myth we try and dispel in our programme. We simply believe we are all given the same 24 hours, therefore it is one’s commitment to excellence that allows one the privilege of enjoying a life of excellence in all areas of one’s life.

As we say goodbye to some of our 1.0 Dreamers the time couldn’t be more suitable for a little moment of reflection. As we look back at a year that was and usher in a new year with new stars. Please allow me to recount some of our milestones and reminisce on some of the memorable moments and events.

1) Let me start off by applauding all of us for the time put in. Together we have achieved over 140 hours of leadership and mentoring time.

2) We had intense workshops focused on Musical Theatre as a genre within the arts. This week of intense workshops included a day at the cinema, watching musicals from way back in time to recent musical theatre hits. Participants, whom some had never been to the cinema before, had a filled day where all they had to do was show up and be prepared to be catered to and to learning.

3) Of special mention are the many keynote addresses and industry experts we had the privilege of hosting. Top of that list is a day spent with South African entertainment industry personality and young business leader Thami Kotlolo. Who gave a powerful presentation on taking ownership of your dreams. Then of course there was Bisi Bangiwe from Walt Disney’s Lion King, who gave an intense workshop that was part talk (on making it in the performing arts business) and part dance. Bisi taught us what is known as Brazilian traditional dancing fused with African contemporary.

4) Together with 1.0 Dreamers we launched the “Dare to Read” campaign, that saw Kelly Khumalo and author Sarah Setlaelo visit us to talk about books. The event was so empowering on many levels and saw our dreamers walk away with books and the opportunity to interact with music star Kelly Khumalo. Perhaps even more powerful was the opportunity for the young people to learn about the evil lures of the entertainment business from a woman who is potentially one of South Africa’s top 5 powerful voices.

5)The programme also attracted a good share of media attention, allowing our participants the platform to shine on both local and national media platforms. Shows such as “Against all odds”(etv), Limitless Youth Show (SABC 1), Sunrise (etv) and newspapers such as the Sowetan and The Daily Sun covered some of our participants. Giving some of them first time national exposure.

6) With all of the fun things and impactful people we had the honor of growing from, it was also the 1.0 Dreamers who shined the most. Take for instance Katlego Moela, who first made history by winning an online competition judged by a panel of international judges, then being invited on Morning Live to share the good news, then as if that was not enough Katlego went on to winning the hip hop world champion title in Croatia, in May 2013. Katlego who is in matric is one of our dedicated members who remain committed to his matric studies. I continue to marvel at what this young man continues to show me as I get to learn about his character. As his trainer for the World Champs I was highly impressed with his level of dedication and his commitment to the competition and the opportunity afforded to him. We trained day and night and right through weekends and after school. Yet when Katlego came back with gold from Europe it was once again his approach to his priorities that would affirm the true leader he was. Short of his return from Europe Katlego was invited to be on a national television news show but due to his matric exam Katlego declined the invitation citing his studies and the importance of him passing his matric as a reason. Katlego then went on to turning down two other TV interviews due to his dedication to his studies.
Another leader I have had the privilege of observing is Percy Moeketsi. A young talented man, who can sing, dance and act with equal excellence. It was his talent that in part inspired the writing of “Rorisang” in the musical Rorisang & Julie. Percy joined the leadership programme as a participant but his leadership has over the past year propelled him to assistant director and assistant-facilitator. Percy’s leadership is the glue that helps to keep the organization running and serves as a great link between his fellow programme members and the mentors. Percy’s talent has also seen him impress a panel of judges during the South African rounds of auditions for the Lion King. Besides all of this Percy was also selected as dance captain for NYDA’s national tour of the Limitless Youth Campaign that toured South Africa. Then of course last but certainly not least there’s Rose Malepe, who is the embodiment of the word commitment. Rose is the only member to have achieved 100% attendance since the inception of the programme. Like Percy she is a great help to the organization and often seen as a mentor by other members. Rose’ s commitment to her character, Julie, in the musical “Rorisang & Julie” has earned her respect and admiration from all. Rose is the quintessential poster role model for a Dare to Dream leader. She understands and teaches all of us the true definition of leadership “it starts with being in control of you”, Rose lives her life in such a way that we can all learn from watching her not hearing her. She understands what Marianne Walliamson talks about when she says “All lives are a platform. We can all make a change in our respective places of influence.
7) Last but not least I would like to humbly acknowledge all the important key people who continue to dedicate their time towards facilitating and mentoring the programme. Phindile Mahlangu, Harriet Manamela and Nombuzo Mahlangu. Thank you for always taking time out of your diaries to come and share. What you share will make impact for generations to come. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, expertise and most of all your heart, so freely and without expectation, for your investment I honor you and wish you nothing short of many blessings.

Congratulations once again to all the 45 successful applicants of the 1.0 cycle. You were each selected because something shone bright in your eyes, keep that light blazing!!

To the new members and the old ones that are continuing this journey with us I look forward to a brighter tomorrow with you. Welcome to a new chapter of your life. Fasten your seatbelt it’s going to be one life changing experience (if you let it)!

With love and hope

Paul Modjadji"  

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MEET THE BOSS

AYE AYE CAPTAIN!

What would we ever do without a guiding light? And what a light we have. Introducing to you (if you didn't know) the Instructors of Dare to Dream

Phindy Ndlelehle

Paul Modjadji

The pillars that sustain the Dare to Dream Theatre Company: Paul Modajdji and Phindy Ndlelehle. Since Day 1, the Dare to #Dreamteam has been taught, groomed and nourished by passionate individuals. Both very successful in their disciplines with an impressive track record. Here is a brief bio on "THE BOSSES" as well as a few other great people who came in and shaped the Theatre Company.

Ms Phindy looking ever classy!

A Musical Theatre Graduate from TUT and founder of Melody ya Phindy, Ms Ndlelehle has worked with the likes of Presley Chweneyagae, Zenzo Nqcobe and Director James Ngcobo. She starred in a film called Mendacity where she was Presley's girlfriend in the film and was also in a play called The Hill, where she played a prostitute, to name but a few. Phindy wants the same success and more to be attained by the coming generation of dreamers. Thus she joined hands with Paul to give off the passion she feels towards arts and entertainment to all who have also been bitten by that same bug.

RIGHT: Grace, that is the character Phindy played recently at

the National Children's Theatre in the production named HONK JUNIOR.

Branded for success.

MELODY YA PHINDY (Phindy's melodies)

Beautifully titled, in the above picture the young ones Phindy instructs full time at her School show the pride instilled in them to aspire only the best. Among many other titles, Melody ya Phindy has these to book 

• Best Set for their play Nomi and the magic fish
• Best Decor for the same play
• Performed for  Mzansi magic family day
• One of the Melodies: Omphile qualified to go perform in Croatia this very year (2013)

Melodies in class. Reaching high for their dreams

Silver ware for Phindy and her Melodies. Well done! 

Paul  strikes a poses in the Streets of New York

Ricipient of the Danish Dance Scholarship, TUT Dance program former student, First African to win the ESDU Dance Championship, Recipient of the Global  youth leadership award in Washington DC and first winner of the South African Youth Awards in the Arts and Entertaiment category. Recently named the official brand ambassador for the city of Tshwane and very NEW champion at the Talent America Showcase in New York, U.S...Paul founded Dare to Dream to inspire, motivate, equip and help the young talent around South Africa, like him, to reach for their Dreams. 

Paul at the ESDU Championships in Croatia

Dare to Dream Workshops in Hammanskraal

       

A picture with one of team S.A members while on a cultural exchange program in India

Since its beginning, The Dare to Dream Campaign has had much success. It was featured on several TV shows i.e Against all odds, Mother of all Professions, Sunrise to name but a few. One of the members, Katlego Moela, won the ESDU's Youtube competition to qualify for the World Championships, held in Croatia-ALL EXPENSESES, where there he also won the title for best Hip Hop Choreo. Tshepiso Percival Moeketsi, who's also in the company, made it to the final stage of the Lion King auditions where when called, will be jetting off overseas to join this globally successful musical production.
A lot of the Dare to Dream has also been doing tours with the NYDA as dancers for the limitless youth campaign. 

Of course there's more. With a little help from Bisi Bangiwe Jobela who is in the Lion King production and Ausi Harriet who is doing wonders on the big and small Screen, The Dare to #Dreamteam has been instilled with enough Passion and Skill to take on the world of Arts and Entertainment.  

ABOVE: Bisi giving a African Dance class the Dare to Dream Theatre Company

ABOVE: Ausi Harriet and the Melodies after a class with the team.

ABOVE: Paul and Phindy together.

I hope you enjoyed reading this collage of excellence as i enjoyed writing it. Feel free to post comments or views about this blog or even suggestions for our next post. Keep the Dreams alive #DaretoDream

WITH SUCH GREAT LIGHTS TO LEAD THE PATH...DREAMS HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BECOME REALITY!

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Dreamers Assemble!

AAAAAAAAND ACTION!

Hey all! Welcome to the blog site of the Dare to Dream Movement Theatre Company: Rorisang and Julie. Appropriately sub-titled, "AAAAAAND ACTION", this is a very familiar sound to the theatre company. Working on our first ever Hammanskraal based local theatre, we have come to realise that our dreams will not be met until we take "action" over what we believe in.

This 1st ever blog is but a brief intro to the vast, colourful and creative world of those that Dare to Dream

We are Musical Theatre.

Dream_Team: Dare to Dream theatre company members

Currently grooming and perfecting our skills every Saturday at Odirile: Home of the mentally disabled, which has opened it's space to us for us to use, we seek out nothing but the best from our members. Studying disciplines like ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, pantsula, sbujwa in the dance category. Singing and acting are also involved as we work on the current theatre project: Rorisang and Julie. The first of it's kind in Hammanskraal. The feeling around this project is huge. So we sharpen our weapons as we gear up for a battle to give birth to this ground breaking production #daretodream.

Warm up scenes from rehearsal

BISI fever _ The team doing an African inspired choreo

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD.

The Dare to Dream Theater Company is tied in with the Dare to Dream Workshops, which have been held in October every year since 2011. Many of the company members in the theatre company were spotted at the workshops and selected to be a part of this wonderful initiative. Auditions were also held for anyone who might not have heard about the Workshops or who didn't get a chance to come to the workshops.

"It is inspiring to see the  amount of talent that is in the townships"

Join us on our journey to the top and be motivated to DARE TO DREAM

And so we are geared up and ready for what is anticipated to be the best production to come out of hammanskraal.
That's it for our 1st post. Do come back to get more info on us. We will be giving news, updates and Team member bios of the theater. Feel free to comment in the comment box. There's also a link below to our facebook page. Like the page to stay connected with us on facebook. Otherwise follow us on twitter @D2D_Movement

*A DREAM IS FREE BUT WILL PRODUCE WEALTH IF NURTURED...DARE TO DREAM* 

The Hip-Hop class of the Dare to Dream Workshops

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