Sanaa Lab Expands into Year-Round Advanced Training and Showcase Pathway

Upstage Limited is deepening its partnership with Lost State of Mind through the continued evolution of Sanaa Lab, a dancers' development initiative designed to create structured, progressive pathways for emerging movement artists in Nairobi.

Following their graduation from the foundational residency at Lost State of Mind in 2025, Cohort 1 of Sanaa Lab will transition into an advanced training space hosted at ArtZone Studios. In this second phase, works initiated during the first edition of the Lab will be developed into mature, performance-ready pieces suitable for larger platforms and festival presentation. Upstage will provide artistic direction, dramaturgical support, and curatorial oversight to ensure the works reach professional presentation standards.

Cohort 1 is scheduled to present the work developed through the Lab between May and July 2026, completing their full development cycle.

Simultaneously, Cohort 2 will begin its journey as Sanaa Lab adopts a dual-cohort structure. At any given time, one group engages in foundational training at Lost State of Mind, while a previous cohort undergoes advanced development with Upstage. This overlapping model enables the Lab to consistently provide training, creation, and public presentation opportunities for emerging dancers throughout the year.

The Sanaa Lab initiative currently operates through a voluntary, artist-led model. Participants do not pay fees, and facilitators, directors, and mentors contribute their time and expertise in support of the wider ecosystem. The team is actively pursuing funding to sustain and scale the program while maintaining accessibility for participants.