Andile Ndlovu on Choreographing Change

This piece is part of our Performing Arts Guide in the September 2022 print issue of District Fray. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Dancer + choreographer at The Washington Ballet.

District Fray: What are you most excited about this season?

Andile Ndlovu: I’m reimagining [my show “B1”] and then putting it up for that one-time show day. I have another world premiere in October for the NEXTsteps program with The Washington Ballet. That’s as much as I’m going to be involved in the season. I just got injured in May, so I’m in recovery mode. The only thing I can do is use my brain and creativity.

Tell us about your piece for NEXTsteps.

We always gravitate to what’s comfortable, and we don’t love change. With this idea, I’m trying to play around with change. Change could be anything. Change could be emotional, physical or spiritual. It could be anything you want it to be. I’m going to start there first and try to see what happens as soon as I get to work with the dancers.

How was your transition to choreography?

I didn’t transition into choreography. I’ve been choreographing since I was 14. These opportunities are coming now because of that work cultivating, teaching and educating myself in the performing arts world. I’ve come to a point where now I can create and put those ideas out there. It’s been maybe about 10 to 13 years in the works.

Any final thoughts?

Dance is a very beautiful art form and we should cherish it, progress it and not hold onto it. By progressing it, we’re making it grow and flourish, and the universe — or everybody in the dance world or in the world — will see how we’re reaching for new heights as ballet.

“B1” will be performed at Wolf Trap on September 14. NEXTsteps continues October 12-16 at Sidney Harman Hall. Follow Ndlovu @zuzu_nx. 

Sidney Harman Hall: 610 F St. NW, DC; shakespearetheatre.org // @shakespeareindc

The Washington Ballet: washingtonballet.org // @thewashingtonballet

Aviva Bechky