UJ Arts & Culture, in partnership with Vuyani Dance Theatre and the City of Johannesburg Arts Alive, presents CODE/DNA – a bold, high-impact interdisciplinary dance production arriving at the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the UJ Arts Centre.

Choreographed and directed by acclaimed dancer and Vuyani Dance Theatre’s Assistant Artistic Director, Otto Andile Nhlapo, CODE/DNA places the body at the centre of the narrative – as a site where memory, identity, and lived experiences are carried, processed, and revealed. Through a charged interplay of movement, sound, and visual design, the work pushes beyond performance into something immediate, physical, and immersive. Driven by an intense rehearsal process, the production is shaped to engage audiences on a deeply physical and emotional level.

Bringing this to life is a powerful multidisciplinary team. The production features an original score by Sbusiso Shozi, live music by Thokozani Nsibande and Sipho Reuben Dhlamini, and musical direction by Simphiwe Sanele Skhakhane. Lighting design by Oliver Hauser sculpts the stage into a dynamic visual environment, heightening the emotional and spatial intensity of the work. The cast brings together a strong ensemble of performers across dance, theatre, and music. Together, they form a unified performance language where movement, sound, and narrative operate as one.

Supported by City of Johannesburg Arts Alive, CODE/DNA reflects a continued commitment to presenting innovative South African work while opening access to audiences across the city.

Venue: Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre, UJ Arts Centre, Auckland Park

Performances
Show 1: 24 April 2026 | 19:00
Show 2: 25 April 2026 | 15:00

Tickets available on quicket.co.za: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/365139-codedna#/

This production forms part of the University of Johannesburg’s broader commitment to creating spaces where creativity, learning, and community intersect. Through UJ Arts & Culture, the University supports collaborations with leading arts organisations, connecting students to professional artistic practice while opening its venues to the public to engage with work that reflects and responds to contemporary society.

By facilitating interdisciplinary exchange and hosting evolving forms of creative expression, the University contributes to future-facing artistic practice while expanding inclusive access and participation in the arts-strengthening its role as a platform for cultural exchange and meaningful engagement within Johannesburg’s contemporary dance landscape.

About UJ Arts & Culture

UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA), produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes. Anchored in Africa, UJ Arts & Culture is committed to using the arts as a tool for social development, cultural engagement, and student exposure. Through professional performances, educational initiatives, and community partnerships, it provides platforms for emerging and established artists to share their work, fostering creativity, reflection, and dialogue in Johannesburg and beyond.

Surprise Nkomo
surprisen@uj.ac.za
011 559 1315
https://arts.uj.ac.za/whats-on/code-dna-ignites-the-uj-arts-centre-this-april/