LOUD SILENCE TOURS KENYA WITH SUPPORT FROM HEVA FUND

Loud Silence is a daring contemporary dance piece that explores ‘silence’ as a form of expression in Kenya’s socio-political context. The performance lifts the lid on taboo political subjects, including oppression, inequality, and the abuse of power by those in positions of authority. 

Maina Kariuki (L) and Paul Mabwa (R) on stage performing Loud Silence

The piece is intentionally inclusive, challenging the barriers of ableism and ageism in dance – it features two dancers: one with physical disability (paraplegia) and the other, a dancer above 60 years old. It was created by Adam Chienjo and Maina Kariuki. 

In 2024, a grant from the Hii Stage project via Heva Fund supported the performance of Loud Silence in three Kenyan cities: Mombasa, Nakuru, and Nairobi. The grant also supported training workshops with emerging artists in these three cities, aimed at building their capacity while fostering inclusion for people with disability in Kenya’s contemporary dance sector.

Loud Silence was performed at Nakuru Players Theatre, Alliance Francaise Nairobi, Little Theatre Club Mombasa, and the Kenya National Theatre.

A video of the performance is below: