KonTra Dance Lab: 1

What should you expect from this first dance workshop series? 

The first series, KonTra Dance Lab: One, will explore the meeting point between contemporary dance and Southeast Asian traditional dance, focusing on the use of props in dance: cloth. In this exciting 6-week journey (12 classes), we will build strong movement foundations, experience selected traditional dance forms from across the region and collaborate to create an original contemporary dance work inspired by cultural traditions. Perfect for beginners, dancers, and anyone curious about movement, creativity, and cultural exploration into a new creation. 

Every tradition carries movement. Every movement holds the possibility of becoming something new.

Step into KonTra Dance Lab: One with Zhafir Muzani, a creative movement experience that explores the intersection of contemporary dance and Southeast Asian traditional dance. Over 5 weeks (10 classes), participants will first establish the foundations of contemporary dance through technical training, body awareness, strength, flexibility, coordination, and movement discipline. Alongside these fundamentals, you'll be introduced to two or three selected traditional dance forms from Southeast Asia, discovering their unique movement qualities, rhythms, cultural contexts, and artistic values. As the workshop progresses, the focus shifts from learning to creating. Rather than simply reproducing traditional choreography, participants will begin experimenting with traditional movement vocabulary through improvisation, composition, and collaborative exploration, along with the theme for this first series: utilisation of cloth. Guided by Zhafir Muzani, the class will collectively develop an original contemporary dance work that respectfully reimagines traditional movement in new artistic contexts. This workshop is designed for beginners, dance enthusiasts, performers, and anyone interested in exploring how cultural heritage can inspire contemporary artistic practice. Whether you're stepping into the studio for the first time or expanding your creative journey, KonTra Dance Lab invites you to move with curiosity, think creatively, and discover how tradition can become a living source of contemporary expression. Please note that some activities involve physical movement that may be demanding. Participants with previous injuries or medical conditions are encouraged to dance within their own comfort level.

Details:
Date: Every Mondays & Wednesdays
Sep 21 23 28 30
Oct 5 7 12 14 19 21 26 28

Time: 8:00pm - 9:30pm

Age: 16 years old and above

Class Size: 6 - 15 pax

Course Fee:
Regular Fee: RM700
Early Bird Promo: RM650
Registration Fee: RM50 (New Students Only)

Venue: Level 3, Studios, klpac

Zhafir Muzani is a multidisciplinary artist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia began his artistic journey as a freelance dancer and later made his television debut in the educational sitcom Oh My English! while continuing to pursue his passion for dance. He previously served as the Resident Choreographer with The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat and curated KonTra, a series of traditional–contemporary dance works at The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac). He just came back from the International Young Choreographer Project (IYCP 2026) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and the Creative Workshop Residency HOT Season 2026 in Munmak-eup, Wonju, South Korea. His works span choreography, dancing, directing, acting, film, and education. He holds a Diploma in Film and a Degree in Theatre from MARA Technology University (UiTM), and a Master of Dance from the Faculty of Creative Arts, Universiti Malaya (UM). Currently, still at UM, he is pursuing his doctoral studies in practice-as-research, focusing on audience participation in dance performance from the Malaysian context.

About The Actors Studio Academy @ klpac

BE EXTRAORDINARY.

Founded by Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican and Joe Hasham OAM, The Actors Studio Academy is a pioneer in arts education in Malaysia. Its alumni comprises theatre luminaries and the crème de la crème of the industry today.

With a clear pathway for children through to adults, learn from artiste-educators with hands-on experience in the industry and enjoy direct access to klpac’s full range of facilities.

Enquiry
E-mail: academy@klpac.org
WhatsApp / Call +60 18 266 3383

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