Help Sullied get to the UK

Sullied: to damage the purity or integrity of…

Sullied is a dance production consisting of 5 young Durban based artists. The development of this production was born our of desperate need for these artists to have their voices heard and the work seen. The company took on a brave task of adventuring off to the National Arts Festival in 2018. Sullied walked away with a Standard Bank Gold Ovation Award leading to the production being invited to perform at the Brighton Fringe Festival in United Kingdom May 2019. https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/sullied-136066/

And, now we need your help to get us there.

“Sullied promises to challenge, question and deconstruct body politics – looking at religion, race, gender, sexuality and rape culture… Choreographer Kristi-Leigh Gresse’s Sullied asks how we endure living in a world rife with abuse and suffering. Once upon a time, The Critter reviewed a work Gresse was part of creating and performed in (read here) where the young artists showed much promise.’- Critter

The company of Sullied has worked tireless to get funding however they have been unsuccessful due to funding institutions being insufficient when it comes to providing support to young South African artist and their works. We had many applications rejected and many excuses give. We now turn to you for help.

The total cost of the trip will be R 200 000.

We have managed to self raise enough money to get flights and accommodation for 5 people. We now need a total of R 50 000 to cover VISAS, ground transport, food and travel insurance.

Visas (R 12,500)

Travel Insurance (R 6000)

Ground Transport (R 12 500)

Per Diems- Food (R 20,000)

Total: R 51 000

Photo by: Megan Kelly/Cue

This tour to the UK is just the first step in ensuring Sullied can continue to grow. The festival provides an opportunity for the production to be seen by international producers thus giving rise to future international tours. The company aims to expand their audience reach as we want the conversations around the work and its subject matter to go beyond national boarders. The reason for this is the subject matter in which sullied deals with is an issue that effects humans beings in very corner of the globe.

This tour will also provides a platform in which each member of the company can build relationships with international producers and artists to ensure future collaborations so that we are able to sustain ourselves and our works.

Photo by: Megan Kelly/Cue

Photo by Megan Kelly/Cue

“Sullied” engages with the topic of rape culture and stigmatization.

This piece interrogates the effects that patriarchal ideologies and misogyny has on the human psyche. Specifically, the way these ideologies affect how we as human beings interact one another.

Sullied attempts of give an honest recollection of how the lack of attention given to finding ways to eradicating rape has serious consequences on the mental and emotional health of young girls and women. Through this production we hope to bring about a dialogue to find way to create a more just and equal society.

Photo by: Megan Kelly/Cue

Sullied: to damage the purity or integrity of…

What do we do in a world where human tolerance and experience is so conditioned to endure abuse, suffering and pain. Using dance and spoken word this piece dives deep into the world of rape culture, sexuality, gender identity, race polarization and religion. Sullied challenges us to deconstruct the politics around our bodies and interrogates the effects that patriarchal ideologies, rape and misogyny has on the human psyche.

The Company:

Kristi-Leigh Gresse: Choreographer/Dancer

Matjamela Motloung: Director/ Dramaturge (Stage Manager for UK Tour)

Sandile Mkhize: Dancer

Fezeka Shandu: Actress/Storyteller

Nkosingiphile Dlamini: Lighting Designer/ Technician

Photo by: Megan Kelly/Cue

Photo by Megan Kelly/Cue

Link to review: https://cuemedia.co.za/2018/06/30/tendons-and-joints-meet-to-tell-the-story-of-how-womens-bodies-are-sullied/

Social Media:

Instagram: @sullied_11 https://www.instagram.com/sullied_11/

Facebook: @sullied11 https://www.facebook.com/sullied11/

The Company Members:

Kristi: @kristileigh_jean https://www.instagram.com/kristileigh_jean/

https://www.facebook.com/kristileighjean.gresse

Matjamela: @walkthisblak https://www.instagram.com/walkthisblak/

Fezeka: @fezybabe https://www.instagram.com/fezybabe/

https://www.facebook.com/fezeka.shandu.9

Sandile: @sandile_smoroza_mkhize https://www.instagram.com/sandile_smoroza_mkhize_/

https://www.facebook.com/sanMmjmzmdilemkhize.smorozamkk

Nkosingiphile: https://www.facebook.com/nkosingiphile.dlamini.336

We also want to include:

Poster Design: @crowndsign https://www.instagram.com/crowndsign/

Please follow us to keep up to date with our journey.

Photo by: Megan Kelly/Cue

And, we want to thank everyone in advanced who helped make this journey a reality. Not only are we grateful for your investment in the UK trip for Sullied but also for your investment in each of our futures as creatives.

Sending much love to you all

The company of Sullied