Choreographing with purpose
Nkosinathi Mazwai on ISTD training, storytelling, and the power of dance.
From choreographing The Addams Family in South Africa to performing in Chicago, Nkosinathi Mazwai’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of ISTD training. A graduate of The Waterfront Theatre School in Cape Town, Nkosinathi speaks candidly about his path into dance, the mentors who shaped him, and how ISTD qualifications continue to influence his work on stage and in the studio.
Nkosinathi Mazwai. Photo by Erin Walls
Nkosinathi Mazwai. Photo by Erin Walls
Finding his feet: ISTD training and mentorship
“ISTD training gave me the tools to communicate choreography with clarity and confidence.”
“I started formal dance training at 19,” Nathi (Nkosinathi) recalls. “I trained for four years at The Waterfront Theatre School and completed Advanced 1 Modern, Advanced 1 Tap, Intermediate Ballet, and the Gold Jazz Medal. I also earned teaching qualifications – a Street Dance Associate and a higher-level Modern Teaching Diploma.”
His mentors, Delia Sainsbury, Shona Brabant, Simone Marshall Kleinenberg and the late Willam Jones, instilled in him a deep respect for discipline and detail. “They taught me that how you do anything is how you do everything. The little things become the big things – and that’s shaped how meticulous I am when choreographing.”
ISTD training, he says, gave him the tools to communicate choreography with clarity and confidence. “It’s helped me pick up choreography quickly and teach it effectively. That’s been invaluable.”
“My mentors taught me that how you do anything is how you do everything. The little things become the big things – and that’s shaped how meticulous I am when choreographing.”
'Another Day' performed at Kalk Bay Theatre in 2023. Photo by Bronwyn Craddock
'Another Day' performed at Kalk Bay Theatre in 2023. Photo by Bronwyn Craddock
From stage to studio: professional highlights
Choreographing The Addams Family was a milestone. “It was my first professional musical as choreographer, and the cast and crew were incredible. We landed on something quite magical.”
His ISTD background proved essential. “Having a broad vocabulary of movement across genres helped, but more importantly, my teaching experience meant I could communicate my ideas clearly. Great choreography is nothing without the ability to teach it well.”
Currently performing in Chicago, Nathi plays Sergeant Fogerty and the Judge. “It’s a joy. The ensemble work is rich and constant – you’re always part of the storytelling.”
Fosse’s style demands precision. “ISTD training gave me the technical foundation – Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Street – to embody the choreography in a way that feels both accurate and organic.”
“Great choreography is nothing without the ability to teach it well.”
Telling stories that matter: spotlight on Shame
Nathi served as lead choreographer for Shame, a powerful short film tackling gender-based violence. Commissioned by Education Without Borders and produced by Trilogy Films, the project was directed by Jo Galloway and featured tertiary dance students from the Waterfront Theatre School. “Jo and Ms Delia Sainsbury approached me about the project,” Nathi recalls. “I created most of the choreography, with fantastic creative input from Jo and Shona Brabant. It was a true collaboration.”
Working with Jo was seamless. “We clicked creatively. Our shared ISTD background meant our approaches aligned, and the process flowed naturally.”
The cast, all ISTD-trained, made communication effortless. “We had a shared language. I knew their training and could tailor choreography to their strengths. We could just crack on with no need to dissect every step.”
Inspired by a poem by Cecil Hershler and the work of Education Without Borders, the film reflects South Africa’s resilience. “There’s celebration, struggle, shame and ultimately hope. I wanted the movement to feel honest and uniquely South African.”
Addressing gender-based violence required sensitivity. “We treated the subject with the weight it deserves. The dancers expressed the emotion authentically, without needing graphic depiction.”
Delia Sainsbury, our International Representative for Africa and the Middle East, calls the film’s origin a true ISTD “global tie-up.” Cecil Hershler first brought his poem to the stage with help from Astrid Sherman, our Americas Representative. Thanks to Astrid’s connection with Delia, the project has now come full circle – returning to its homeland in this striking new film adaptation.
Telling stories that matter: spotlight on Shame
Nathi served as lead choreographer for Shame, a powerful short film tackling gender-based violence. Commissioned by Education Without Borders and produced by Trilogy Films, the project was directed by Jo Galloway and featured tertiary dance students from the Waterfront Theatre School. “Jo and Ms Delia Sainsbury approached me about the project,” Nathi recalls. “I created most of the choreography, with fantastic creative input from Jo and Shona Brabant. It was a true collaboration.”
Working with Jo was seamless. “We clicked creatively. Our shared ISTD background meant our approaches aligned, and the process flowed naturally.”
The cast, all ISTD-trained, made communication effortless. “We had a shared language. I knew their training and could tailor choreography to their strengths. We could just crack on with no need to dissect every step.”
Inspired by a poem by Cecil Hershler and the work of Education Without Borders, the film reflects South Africa’s resilience. “There’s celebration, struggle, shame and ultimately hope. I wanted the movement to feel honest and uniquely South African.”
Addressing gender-based violence required sensitivity. “We treated the subject with the weight it deserves. The dancers expressed the emotion authentically, without needing graphic depiction.”
Delia Sainsbury, our International Representative for Africa and the Middle East, calls the film’s origin a true ISTD “global tie-up.” Cecil Hershler first brought his poem to the stage with help from Astrid Sherman, our Americas Representative. Thanks to Astrid’s connection with Delia, the project has now come full circle – returning to its homeland in this striking new film adaptation.
Watch the film Shame here:
Warning: This film contains themes of gender-based violence which some viewers may find distressing. Viewer discretion is advised.
Support services for those affected by gender-based violence
Nathi highlights the following support services for those affected by gender-based violence in South Africa: The Tears Foundation, Justice Desk Africa, and Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Cape Town.
There are other organisations around the world that offer support for victims of domestic abuse, including the following organisations in the UK: Refuge, Women's Aid, ManKind Initiative - Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse, Black and Minoritised Communities | RISE, and Saheli
“We had a shared language. I knew their ISTD training and could tailor choreography to their strengths.”
Jo Galloway. Photo by Matt Kallish
Jo Galloway. Photo by Matt Kallish
Jo Galloway, who as Director collaborated closely with Nathi on the recent film project, spoke warmly about their shared creative language, rooted in their ISTD training at the Waterfront Theatre School. “From day one, we were speaking the same language,” she said. “Having Nathi on the creative team was an absolute gift. His experience across genres, combined with his acting training, gave the work a beautifully cohesive voice.”
She praised his choreographic clarity and professionalism: “Every rehearsal was thoughtfully prepared. His energy and attention to detail inspired real trust and enthusiasm in the dancers.” Jo also highlighted the impact of ISTD training on Nathi’s journey, noting that he arrived at WTS with no formal dance background and graduated with multiple advanced qualifications – all with Distinction. “That journey alone stands as a true testament to the power and integrity of the ISTD syllabus,” she added.
Reflecting on the final piece, Jo said, “Nathi’s vision was so cohesive and considered – it felt both fresh and deeply human. He managed to capture something truly authentic, and we’re all incredibly proud of what we created together.”
Looking forward: teaching and impact
“Our art form has power. Use it to tell important stories.”
Nathi sees teaching in his future. “I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned. For now, I want to perform and choreograph as much as I can. Every show teaches me something new.”
He hopes projects like Shame inspire action and empathy. “It’s easy to feel removed from issues in the news. But dance can remind us these stories are real and we can help.”
To the dance community, his message is clear: “Our art form has power. Use it to tell important stories.”
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