CONVERSATIONS: A USA/South Africa Concert Collaboration

St. Louis’ Karlovsky & Company Dance brings “Conversations” featuring Cape Town, South African Choreographers to Grandel Stage and Community

CONVERSATIONS: A USA/South Africa Concert Collaboration

March 24 - 25, 2023, 7:30pm

The Grandel - 3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63108

ST. LOUIS, MO - Karlovsky and Company Dance, a hometown contemporary dance company will present CONVERSATIONS: A USA/South Africa Concert Collaboration at The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Square beginning March 24-25, 2023 and 7:30p.m. CONVERSATIONS will feature the premier of “Rooted Within” – by South African guest artists, Yaseen Manuel and Marlin Zoutman.  (See bios below) Their new work explores the theme of two men in search of joy, forgiveness, and self-acceptance at same time unfolding scars from inheritance. In their own unique way, they have always tried fitting in to society. They reflect on their past and on the realization that no man stands perfectly divine. 

The second half of CONVERSATIONS features a re-staging of two works by Dawn Karlovsky, director of Karlovsky & Company Dance. The company will present “And Everything Changed”, one of Karlovsky’ s first evening-length works, restaged and for their South Africa tour in 2019. Celebrating the company’s 10th season, Dawn Karlovsky said, “Remounting this work seems appropriate to the times as this piece earnestly examines how we cope, adapt, and adjust to situations and experiences in our lives.” The second work presented by Karlovsky is “United We Stand/Divided We Fall”, a work of contemporary dance that will include local musician, Kalo Hoyle, who will perform an original sound score of percussive and electronic music created in collaboration with Tory Starbuck.

This concert will culminate with the collaboration piece, “Conversations.”  This revised work continues the movement exchange between the two companies that began back in 2019 during Karlovsky & Company Dance’s tour to Cape Town, South Africa. Both South African artists are passionate about their work with youth and according to Dawn Karlovsky,

“Their commitment to inspiring South African youth provided us with the opportunity to connect their passion for dance to the many diverse youth  at Soldan International High School who come from countries in Africa, Central America, Asia and Europe. You might say we are encouraging “Conversations” both on and off stage.”

About the South African Guest Artists

Marlin Zoutman was born and raised in Saron, South Africa, a town of approximately 8,000. He moved to Cape Town, with 5 million people because he wanted the opportunity to learn more about dance. He joined JazzArt Dance Theater to further his training and eventually dance professionally. He started dancing at an arts focus school and then moved to Cape Town to explore the idea of dance. There were no opportunities in his hometown Saron. When he started dancing in Cape Town, he joined JazzArt Dance theatre to further his training and started his professional career in dance. He travelled locally and internationally and performed with various dance companies in South Africa. Marlin has an extensive career having worked closely with numerous companies such as Free Flight Dance Company, Inspirations Dance Company, Cape Dance Company, Sean Bovim Ballet, Tshawne Dance Theatre, Karlovsky & Company Dance (USA), FO8 dance Collective, JazzArt Dance Theatre and Kirvan Fortuin Foundation.  Marlin is the artistic director of New World dance theatre alongside Celeste Botha. He choreographed a work for Cape Town City Ballet “Moon Behind the Clouds.” He Lives by the saying: “When we move, we live.”

Yaseen Manuel was born in Cape Town, South Africa and is a teacher, choreographer and professional dancer. He began his training at Wynberg High School of the Arts and later trained and performed with JazzArts  Theater. Since 2014 he has performed with UNMUTE DANCE THEATER traveling to Germany, Russia, Italy, France and other countries.

For more information, email Dawn Karlovsky at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.