Faced with a dearth of professional dance companies in Durban, Taryn Makaab decided to start her own: Break-Thru Dance Company. In the short time since its launch in early 2010, the company has gained a reputation for its energetic fusion of dance styles, and was even invited to perform at the Soccer World Cup. Its first two shows, Under Construction I and Under Construction II were a huge hit and now, just in time for the holidays, Break-Thru Dance Company (BTDC) will introduce its brand new show: Dollz.
Using a fusion of ballet, hip-hop, krunk, contemporary, jazz, break dancing and beat-boxing, Dollz tells the story of a young woman navigating the complexities of life as she tries to find the one thing we all want: happiness. The show features a 30-strong cast that includes new addition, Bonwa Mbontsi, who was a finalist in SABC’s So You Think You Can Dance, as well as Kyk-Net’s Dans! Dans! Dans!.
Dollz was conceptualised by Makaab and Casey Swales, an acclaimed ballet and contemporary choreographer, who also just happens to be born and bred in Durban. Over the months, BTDC has formed some powerful partnerships, which have allowed the company to continue to grow, seek out new talent and become more creative with its shows in terms of make-up, set design and lighting.
Makaab is one talented woman. At the age of 18, with a background in ballet, modern, tap and acrobatics, she left her Durban home and headed to The Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre where she performed as a soloist. She accepted a scholarship to the prestigious Dance Theatre of Harlem ballet school, where she also performed as a soloist. On her return to South Africa she spent four years performing all over the world as the lead dancer in the internationally acclaimed African Footprint. Makaab’s also been the lead dancer with neo-classical ballet company, Bovim Ballet. But all that pales in comparison to her latest venture.
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
