Fortuin talks art
FROM the international stage to the local school hall, Jerry Fortuin has been entertaining and educating audiences about the classic performing arts for more than 30 years.
Now the dancer and choreographer has taken it upon himself to coach promising dancers in the northern areas in the finer aspects of dance.
Fortuin has been involved in dance since the age of four, and has mastered various styles of dance including ballet, jazz and contemporary dance.
After his ballet performance in Hello Dolly at the PE Opera House in 1981, Fortuin was spotted by talent scouts and asked to perform professionally with the Johannesburg Performing Arts School.
He danced on the international stage in the United States and United Kingdom.
"I received an opportunity many performers only dream of, and while touring with other performers you gain a lot of insight into your art,” said Fortuin, who now works at the Animal Anti-Cruelty League in Cleary Park.
"Now I want to give back to my community and impart the knowledge I have acquired.
"These kids have more talent than they realise and I have taken it upon myself to expose this talent and ensure that these performers go as far as they possibly can in the classic arts.”
Fortuin has taken six girls and two boys from different suburbs in the northern areas and staged scenes from various productions including Dreamgirls in which a cast of 12 performers took part.
The show was staged at Pemads in Central in April. Fortuin also goes to various schools in the northern areas to host auditions. Here he identifies talented youngsters and takes them under his wing, coaching them in the basics they require to excel in the performing arts.
"These children are so talented yet many of them will never be able to hone their talent because their parents won’t allow it.
"Many people in the northern areas feel that arts are not for their children.
"Instead we should be harnessing this potential and developing it. If your kid is good at something, embrace it – don’t ignore it.
"Who knows what it could do for them in the future?”