Local Performer Celebrates A Decade of Dancing
The annual showcase, Shall We Dance, returns to The Playhouse Company’s Opera Theatre for it’s 25th year, and celebrating a decade of dancing in this production is seasoned performer, Menzie Khanyase.
Khanyase is from Chesterville and started dancing at the age of 17 when he joined the dance development program at his high school, Chesterville Extension Secondary. He fell in love with the art form because of its ability to inspire people through movement, and loves the raw honesty it reveals and the way that audiences are able to “see you undisguised,” he says.
Khanyase has been competing professionally in Ballroom and Latin American Dancing for 11 years and has won many local dance competitions, including the Gold Cup and KZN Championships. He got involved with Shall We Dance when he was chosen by his studio, Dance Basics, to perform in the production 10 years ago, and has performed every year since. He has immense admiration and respect for his dance teachers, Ryan and Janelle Yunnie who have been his long-standing mentors and dance family. “They have touched and changed many lives through dance, and they also teach physically disabled people. Their love for their students and the understanding that everyone is unique, is out of this world,” says Khanyase.
When Khanyase is not on the dancefloor, he is either listening to music, reading, or playing soccer. By day he works as a Transport Planning Analyst for City Logistics. He is an extremely motivated person and lives by the words of Audrey Hepburn – “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says – I’m possible.” He encourages people to come and watch Shall We Dance for an evening of world-class entertainment.
Don’t miss the talented Menzie Khanyase performing in Shall We Dance, produced and directed by Neville Letard and Caryl Cusens, from 8 – 27 September at The Playhouse Opera Theatre. Tickets range from R90 to R150 and are available at Computicket.
