Biograpyhy: Gladys Agulhas

Gladys Agulhas

Founder/Choreographer/Dance Practitioner and independent performer, nominee for the Daimler Chrysler Contemporary Choreography Award 2003. Gladys studied Ballet at a young age at Albertus Pop recreation centre in Eldorado Park south of Johannesburg. She continued her Dance training and teaching at the Johannesburg Dance Foundation where she completes her 3 year intensive course. Ex-senior dancer for the former Johannesburg Dance Theatre. She won her first FNB Vita AWARD in 1990 and was recipient of the Women’s Day Award in Eldorado Park for the promotion of Arts in the community.

Agulhas has a long history of involvement with Dance in Education, and is co-founder of the Kliptwon Arts Foundation a community arts project based in Eldorado Park, was involved in teaching at various institutions and companies such as Moving Into Dance, Market Lab, Johannesburg Dance Foundation, National School of the Arts, Adelaide Tambo school for Special needs,etc. In 1999 she was involved in Shuttle 99, Dance Education Ex-change programme between the Nordic countries and South Africa. Agulhas also played a mayor role in the facilitating of Outreach programmes for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre during they visit to schools and community centres in Johannesburg.

In 2000 she won numerous FNB Vita Contemporary Choreography and Dance Awards recognising her work in Gauteng. She studied Integrated Contemporary Dance Teaching with renowned teacher/Independent Artist Adam Benjamin. And was rehearsal director for Tshwaragano In -Touch Integrated Dance Company 2000 /1 national & international tour.

Gladys also presented 'Solo" works for various functions such as at the Embassy of Finland, British Council, V-Day Monologues, Women Arts Festivals Gauteng & Durban’s Human Rights Commission in Helderfontein.

She presented a paper in collaboration with Remix dance Project at the Confluence Conference in Cape Town on Choreography with Physical Challenge Dancers. And was also the recipient of the 2001 FNB Vita Dance Umbrella Young Choreographers Award.
She has also devised a "Referees Society Special Training Programme "for the Golden Lions Rugby Union Academy 2002, and is still actively involve with the Union. Agulhas premiered her first international collaboration with fellow artist Louise Katerega(UK) funded by FNB Vita Dance Umbrella & Arts Council of England during the FNB Vita Dance Umbrella 2003.Her company ATW performed at the opening of the 2003 disABILTY Consultative Conference ACCESS-AWARENESS -ARTS at Museum Africa, and presented Integrated Workshops for the delegates. Gladys is a member of WoVA (Women’s Voice Arts Africa) an international organisation based in Senegal, Africa, to encourage and support efforts of women cultural leaders and artist in Africa, she attend this African planning meeting in Senegal during March this year.

Her recent international travels to Switzerland & London included a residency programme of improvisation and Integrated work with renowned Independent Artist Adam Benjamin as part of her innovative determination to pursue her goal within the arts. Her company recently returned
from the Grahamstown National Arts Festival after a very successful season on its main programme.

A new collaboration with musician Louis Mhlanga made headlines during the Women’s Arts Festival 2003 at the Dance Factory. She also currently worked on presentations for various Charity organisations such as “We are capable” a disability newspaper and Hospice home for the terminal ill. Recently retured from Switzerland,Bern after a very successful performance and presentation of workshops at the “SHARP! SHARP! Festival.

Currently working with her Company ATW- Agulhas Theatre Works on various Collaborations with Different Companies (Vuyani Dance Theatre, Tshwane Leadership Foundation, Music Incorporation, Soweto Deaf Women Dancers, US Africa) & Individual Artist (Adam McKinney, US dancer & Choreographer).

EVENTS 2006
* Gladys Agulhas Choreographed a SCENE of 10 minutes for THE TELKOM CHARITY CUP -5TH August 2006, scene of 200 children and Youth with different disabilities.
* ATW-TOUR to Holland
* ATW – recruited two trainees into the Companies Outreach programmes & performance events
* ATW – coordinated the World Disability DAY 2006 at MuseumAfrica 2006
* ATW Performed at the official opening of the Disability conference in Gauteng.
* ATW was also part of the International Disability Conference and Entertainment Held in Durban at the ICC.
* ATW- Satellite –Closing

2007- Events
* FNB Dance Umbrella 2007
* ATW- Satellite- Exchange programmes with various international institutions.
* Outreach Programme & Performances – Playhouse Durban.