Marion D'Cruz (Malaysia)

"An energetic, warm and generous performer with a wealth of stories and dances to share."
– the flying inkpot

Dancer-choreographer Marion D'Cruz stands among the pioneering figures of the Malaysian arts scene. In her 35-year career, she has developed the idea of a contemporary Malaysian identity in dance, and in so doing she has broken many rules. Her focus has been to create new dance vocabularies in contemporary dance in Malaysia, and to create works that speak of what she is passionate about. Her work is multi-disciplinary and eclectic, drawing on her varied dance background. D'Cruz has a BA in Performing Arts and an MA in Dance from University Science Malaysia, and is a founding member and the executive producer of Five Arts Centre.

She has studied classical Malay, Javanese, Balinese and Indian dance in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, as well as ballet, modern and contemporary dance, choreography and Labanotation in Malaysia, London and New York.

In 1983 she formed Marion D'Cruz and Dancers who have performed extensively, both locally and internationally.  In the 2006 Boh Cameronian Arts Awards, she was awarded the Cross-Cultural Champion of the Arts Award. D'Cruz now teaches, produces, performs and choreographs.

Read our Exclusive Q&A with Marion D'Cruz!

SHOWCASE: PERFORMANCE

Marion D'Cruz (Malaysia)

1 June 2012, Fri, 10.45am (90mins)
Esplanade Recital Studio

Gostan Forward
Gostan Forward is an invitation to step into the mind and body of Marion D'Cruz and an excavation of her memory of contemporary dance. This solo performance-lecture traces D'Cruz's growth as a student, dancer, choreographer and educator, revealing her choices, strategies and influences over the span of her 35-year dance career, including the influences of her late husband and collaborator, acclaimed theatre director Krishen Jit. She will share with the audience heart-warming, bittersweet, inspiring and humorous anecdotes, and perform excerpts of her favourite and most significant dances, including Terinai, Swan Song, Urn Piece, Bunga Manggar Bunga Raya, and more.

Directed by Mark Teh.

WORKSHOP

Choreography for Non-Choreographers
2 Jun 2012, Sat, 9.30am (90mins)
Esplanade Rehearsal Studio

Marion D'Cruz has spent much of her career working with "non-artists" – making performers out of people who are not performers. She believes creativity can be elicited and nurtured. She says, "People just need a chance to try something out." This is a workshop that opens up some of the "secrets" of choreography to the participants. Using simple exercises and techniques, they will get a chance to choreograph short works using themes, stories and movements that they are familiar with and are part of their everyday life.