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January 30th, 2026
Upstage Limited is proud to be part of AMDA: Africa Mashariki Dance, a dancer-led regional initiative working to strengthen the dance industry across East Africa.
The AMDA Network brings together curators and dance leaders from Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya, with near-term plans to expand to Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia. The network aims to enable freer movement of artists across East African borders, deepen collaboration between choreographers and curators, and expand access to platforms that support the professional growth of dance practitioners in the region.
In January 2026, AMDA marked a major milestone with the first edition of the AMDA Biennale, hosted at Muda Corner in Dar es Salaam under the leadership of Muda Africa, and with support from the British Council. Conceived as both a festival and an industry platform, the Biennale created space for showcasing, exchange, and professional dialogue.
Upstage Executive Director Adam Chienjo participated in the Biennale, joining Curators and programmers from across Africa, Europe, and the United States for a program of live performances, dance film screenings, artist talks, industry discussions, masterclasses, and in-studio presentations.
The second edition of the AMDA Biennale is proposed for January 2028 in Nairobi, with plans to host it at the Kenya National Theatre. This rotational model reflects AMDA’s commitment to regional ownership and shared leadership across East Africa.
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