African Footprint

African troupe leaves 'Footprints' across globe
Famous traveling show combines African dance with Broadway performance

By Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
The Advocate
February 7, 2008

In 1999, before millions, performers from a small dance school in South Africa took the world by storm and have kept a strong grip ever since.

The musical tour de force, African Footprint, is finally bringing its world-renowned native artistry to Ohio, on the wave of a six-year run, an album that’s gone gold and a fan base totaling 250 million. It’s become the longest-running show out of Africa.

The cast of 30 presents a show that draws from African and European techniques, featuring tap dancing, Cirque du Soleil-style ballet and full light and sound Broadway-influenced dance sequences.

Back in 1998, entertainment guru Richard Loring started a school for the disadvantaged youth of Johannesburg; little did he know that humanitarian endeavor would become an international phenomenon.

“The auditions have become the American Idol of South Africa,” said Corey Ross, the show’s producer, “Richard (Loring) just wanted to train these kids to become dancers, singers and actors, give them a skill so they could make money and take them out of their horrid situations.”

The small group of students was asked to perform at South Africa’s Millennial Festivities, New Year’s Eve 1999. The show was picked up by CNN and the rest, as they say, is history. It’s become a journey that’s brought a group of students — who’d never seen much outside the small town of Soweto, where the school was founded — to a world stage, Ross said.

“When we were in New York one of the girls came out dressed to nines ready for a night on the town, it was her first time ever being outside of Johannesburg,” he said. “It’s an incredible experience many of them may not have ever had.”

African Footprint has made its way to the U.S. after touring in Europe, Australia, China, Israel and India. It originally planned to perform in the states soon after being discovered, but was scheduled to leave Sept. 11, 2001. That morning’s terrorist attacks postponed the American premiere indefinitely.

“Coming here has really been a dream come true for them,” Ross said.

Their first performance finally was introduced to America by Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr., an avid supporter of the show, in New Orleans in November to four sold-out shows.

The show will continue its way across the country until the spring, making its way to Columbus on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad St. Tickets are $20 to $62.50; call (614) 221-4341 or visit www.ticketmaster.com for more information.