Dada Masilo South Africa

Dada Masilo (Soweto, South Africa, 1985) is a dancer and choreographer who takes great aesthetic risks, reinventing classic stories so they speak to black identity and feminism, through an innovative dance language that intertwines African movement and rhythms with traditional ballet and contemporary dance genres. Her works deal with contemporary topics, such as the stigma and social rejection around HIV/AIDS, domestic violence and arranged marriages and are performed to a mix of African and Western music & sound. Masilo grew up in Soweto, studied classical and contemporary dance at the Dance Factory in South Africa followed by two years at PARTS - Performing Arts Research and Training Studios - in Brussels. She is Artist-in-Residence at The Dance Factory which employs her dancers. She has created and performed eleven original works, including own versions of Romeo & Juliet, Carmen, Swan Lake and Giselle (voted Best Performance 2017 for Danza&Danza). She collaborates with other choreographers & artists (e.g. William Kentridge).

Dada Masilo is the 2018 Next Generation Laureate. As part of the Fund’s focus on developing and supporting activities with and for young people (ages 15 – 35) the Queen Mathilde Cultural Fund introduces the Next Generation Award, which honours an outstanding creative initiative that contributes positively to the lives and possibilities of young people.

Photo: Courtesy Dada Masilo