Adam Chienjo
Executive Director, Upstage Ltd.
Adam is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, artistic director, teacher, curator, and performance critic with 22 years’ experience in interdisciplinary movement art. As a choreographer, his work explores a wide variety of themes, including identity, human conflict, and human rights – particularly Freedom of Expression. He has performed, choreographed, and curated contemporary dance in Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, DRC, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, Ireland, and the USA.
Beyond creating dance as a pure art form, Adam runs towards collaboration. He has worked with an array of musicians, designers, visual artists, photographers, and digital artists to create captivating performances and generate meaningful engagement with audiences.
Adam is a pioneer in working with non-normative physicality in Kenya’s contemporary dance sector. In 2007, he co-founded Uwezomix Dance Group – the first mixed-ability dance group in Kenya (integrating dancers with and without disability).
Today, Adam is the curator and director of the Dance Life Festival, the biggest dance showcase event in Kenya. Through the Festival, he is dedicated to establishing an inclusive and diverse space for dance professionals from around the world; the Festival showcases choreographers from Kenya and beyond, maintaining special slots for the works of women choreographers, choreographers with non-normative physicality, and indigenous cultural dancers. The Festival is equipping the next generation of movement artists with the skills and networks that will propel their careers; we hold dance workshops and informative conversations on dance and related ventures.
Adam co-founded Upstage Limited, aiming to link East African creative to decent work opportunities, with a focus on artists with physical disability. As a leader in the East African arts sector, Adam is working to drive industry-level changes towards inclusion and decent work.
Adam's contacts
Email: adamleylucas@gmail.com