|
Foundation and
Background:
Joseph Appiah Kojo Annan founded the Asanti Dance Theatre (ADT) in June
2003, when there were no positions available in other companies, providing
young, talented artists with a means to express their power, passion
and talent for dancing and drumming.
The members include ten
male and five female dancers, and five male drummers. They originate from
all over Ghana and contribute a variety of techniques, skill and experience
in dancing, drumming, fire shows, and theatre.
Several members are national
or regional champions in their specialities. Others have performed with
other leading Ghanaian dance companies.
Awareness: Through its performances, ADT
raises awareness of the problems West Africa faces today. The company
combines traditional, contemporary, and freestyle dancing and drumming to
address issues such as HIV/AIDS, drugs, violence in sports, and
environmental problems.
Challenge: Every member of Asanti Dance
Theatre has sacrificed their time, energy, and earnings for the group’s
success. They depend on donations to fund basic necessities such as drums,
first aid kits, costumes and transport, as the youth programs are performed
free of charge and income from paid performances is minimal.
ADT currently conducts
drumming and dancing classes upon request. Classes can be arranged to suit
individual levels and schedules. Please contact us on the phone numbers on the
back of this brochure.
In addition to this, Appiah’s
primary goal is to establish a studio in Cape Coast to teach West African
drumming and dance techniques to international students through an
intensive studio programme. Studio programmes will provide a reliable
income source and, importantly, end the cycle of dependency, making the
company self-funding.
The challenge is to obtain seed funding: the
inital set-up can only happen with assistance through donations, grants or
sponsorhip as set-up costs exceed their means.
Establishing the school
will ensure the Asanti Dance Theatre’s longevity so that the vision which
drove Appiah to establish Asanti in 2003 can live on for the benefit of
future generations.
Dream: ADT’S dream is to keep sharing
with many different cultures the power and passion of their stories through
dancing and drumming.
The company hopes to
eventually take their program and perform overseas at high schools,
universities, musical institutions, and cultural events. So doing, ADT will
bring together the people of Africa and the rest of the world to promote
peace and respect among each other’s cultures.
They will also foster,
develop, and preserve their traditional arts and cultural heritage, for the
benefit of Ghana and the rest of the world. Appiah’s vision to build an
innovative and highly skilled, traditional and contemporary dance group has
evolved into the dynamic and visionary company that is the Asanti Dance
Theatre today.
the asanti story - personal
biographies
|
