Gary Gordon

GORDON, Gary. (19**-) Actor, dancer, choreographer, director, academic and teacher.

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 198*/9* he returned to South Africa to become professor and head of the Rhodes University Drama Department. 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

Among his most celebrated works are The Unspeakable Story (1996)***, ***, ***. and ****

Icons (3 dance works with Reza de Wet (about modern & old icons. Portraits (collage of visionary, sketches & movement portraits by various choreographers directed by Gary Gordon. Performed in ** Vrypas (KKNK and NAF, 2006), 6 Kinds of Emptiness (NAF, 2006) ***

Awards, etc

Winner of the first Standard Bank Young Artist Award for contemporary dance (1989). 1994 as Choreogrpaher of the Year for On the Light Side of the Moon & Surround her With Water: An Epiphany. The Unspeakable Story - “Mirror”(Epic movement drama)(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.

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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