We investigate ways in which we can share dance as process, the practice of art making and live performance with the public.
This conversation between north and south is an organic unfolding of questions, musings, similarities, differences & learnings.
We consider the field of our work ‘contemporary’ dance and understand the body as our foremost site for the deepest social & political enquiry of the world around us. We believe that the most profound social change can happen through dance.

Our practice is rooted in the 5Rhythms®,a dance improvisation methodology originally developed by Gabrielle Roth in the USA in the 1960’s. She developed a simple, accessible & deeply intelligent map based on five fundamental dynamics of movement in all life forms and she called these dynamics: flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical & stillness. Dancers typically move through all five of the rhythms as the score in what is called a ‘wave’. What is particularly interesting in this method of dance improvisation is it’s direct connection and association with the scientific understanding that energy moves in waves and that all life is energy. The dance map as a practice is free of formal technique and yet clearly inspires discipline in the dancer to navigate his/her inner landscapes as they continuously shift in relationship to the ever-changing nature of place and time. 

About us 

Hege Gabrielsen

Hege Gabrielsen is educated at the Norwegian State Ballet School (1980-83), Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance (New York, 83-84) and continuous study of Elsa Gindler´s basic work of Sensory Awareness since 1987. She worked in the field of contemporary dance both as a dancer and choreographer based in Oslo, Norway. The work included ongoing performance work with a varying list of both choreographers and visual artists. Hege developed her own work focusing on moving images of the body and stretching the experience of time and timing.

In 1996 she was introduced to the movement map of Gabrielle Roth´s 5 Rhythms. These maps explore layers of the body, how they move and connect to everything through waves of energy. She certified as a 5Rhythms® teacher in 2001 and has developed this dance form in Norway with ongoing workshops and regular classes. 

Her teaching work also includes the start of 3 different theatre schools as a movement teacher including the Nordic Black Theatre School for young transcultural actors (1992-2002).

Contact: hege@dans5rytmer.no
Web page: dans5rytmer.no

Hannah Loewenthal

Hannah is currently based in South Africa where she works both as an artist as well as teaching ongoing 5Rhythms® classes and workshops.Hannah Loewenthal grew up in Cape Town, South Africa and originally studied design and worked as an architectural glass artist in the UK. In 2002 in London Hannah discovered dance through the 5Rhythms® and went on to train with Gabrielle Roth & certify as a 5Rhythms® teacher in 2008. During this time she worked with Remix Dance Company in South Africa, performing and developing many of their schools' programmes as well as contributing to the development of integrated dance work in Africa. 

​Whilst working at Cape Africa Platform (Biennale for Contemporary Art, SA) running the arts in education program, Hannah began her work with Mamela Nyamza, first as assistant director and then as collaborator. Hannah considers her core interest research and work as an investigation into the design aesthetic of developing stage performance intimacy between performer and audience. With regard to dance, gesture ‘unlooked at’ and unnoticed moments of human interactions in performative work. 

Hannah & Hege met on a 5Rhythms® dance floor in 2012. They very quickly found a deep mutual desire to explore the possibilities of the 5Rhythms® into performance; as a choreographic tool and map for developing new dance/ theatre- making. The Body Draws Circles is their shared platform between the north & south.

Contact: hannah.loewenthal@gmail.com
Web page: hannahloewenthal.com