Gary Gordon
Gary Gordon (19**-) is an actor, dancer, choreographer, director, academic and teacher.
Contents
Biography
Training
He trained at the University of Natal (Durban) Department of Speech and Drama, before going to England and the Laban Centre for Movement & Dance in Europe where he both trained and taught.
Also experience in Britain and Europe as choreographer.
Career
The leading proponent of physical theatre in South Africa in the 1990s and early 21st century. In 1992 he returned to South Africa to become professor and head of the Rhodes University Drama Department (until 2009?). There he also founded the First Physical Theatre Company in 1993 and began to train numerous young practitioners in the field.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
As choreographer
Gary Gordon has created and choreographed a number of works. Some of these include:
1985: Annie Get Your Gun
1994: On the Light Side of the Moon
1994: Surround her With Water: An Epiphany
1996: Dead: A Slight History of One Called Ivan (created with Reza de Wet)
1996: The Unspeakable Story (created with Reza de Wet)
1998: Icons (created with Reza de Wet)
1998: Lilith (created with Reza de Wet)
1998: Portraits
2000: Bessie's Head (created with Reza de Wet)
2006: 6 Kinds of Emptiness (National Arts Festival)
2006: Vrypas (with Francois Toerien, First Physical Theatre Company)
As performer
He appeared in a number of productions, including:
Vrypas (First Physical Theatre Company, 2006)
Awards, etc
Winner of the first Standard Bank Young Artist Award for contemporary dance (1989). Awarded Choreographer of the Year in 1994 for On the Light Side of the Moon & Surround her With Water: An Epiphany. The Unspeakable Story - “Mirror” (1996) with Andrew Buckland & Reza de Wet received the FNB Vita prize for the most exceptional portrayal of a contemporary dance work.
Sources
Various entries in the NELM catalogue.
Rhodes Drama Review 2003. https://www.ru.ac.za/media/rhodesuniversity/content/drama/documents/review_2003.pdf
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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