Meet the Performance Artists
HII STAGE PERFORMANCE AND TOUR GRANTS
Adam Chienjo
Performance Title - “Loud Silence”
Adam is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, artistic director, teacher, curator, and performance critic with 22 years’ of experience in interdisciplinary movement art. “Loud Silence” is a contemporary dance performance that lifts the lid on ‘taboo’ political subjects in Kenya. The performance is designed to stimulate conversations on the cause and effect of civil silence in times of significant and unpopular political shifts. This project will tour in Nairobi, Nakuru, and Mombasa.
Amandeep Jagde
Performance Title - “Doggies on the Road”
Part of the Chuckle Cartel, a comedy event & media production company run and owned by comedians whose focus is to build a platform for comedians to sustainably work, learn, and earn through their craft. “Doggies on the road” seeks to unite the country, celebrating its rich cultural diversity through laughter. Moreover, the performers aspire to pave a pathway for emerging comedians, offering them guidance and opportunities to take their craft on the road, spreading joy and connection nationwide. Touring in Nakuru, Mombasa & Lamu.
Harrison Wabuko (Stom Wabuko)
Project Title - “Your Story Matters”
A Poet, published author, musician, and a Malaria Champion under Kenya Malaria Youth Corps (KeMYC). Harrison also runs a juveniles’ reform program at Kamiti Youth Correctional Training Center (YCTC). “Your Story Matters” is a performance featuring poems from Stom Wabuko’s MIRROR EP and Book, blending music, storytelling, and Spoken Word Poetry. Additionally, the complete set will include interactive Q&A sessions, fostering discussions on the themes explored in the pieces. This tour shall start from Lamu, proceed to Mombasa, then Nakuru, and end in Nairobi.
Juliet Onyach (Nile Dawta)
Performance Title - “Project Black Woman”
Recipient of the UN-Human Rights Art Competition Kenya (2023) and the Brazilian Young Talent Africa Music Awards (2023), Juliet Onyach also known as Nile Dawta, is a progressive creative force, a passionate gender advocate, and a pioneering figure in the Neo-Reggae movement in East Africa. The primary objective of “Project Black Woman'' is to raise awareness about the challenges faced by women prisoners, particularly concerning menstrual health management, in Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru counties. The project aims to sensitize, educate, and provide eco-friendly dignity kits to women prisoners in Kenya.
Kibanda Theatre
Performance Title - “What We Have; What We Want”
Kibanda Theatre provides an avenue to work on passion projects around theatre performances that can spark conversations relevant to society at different times and to foster a conducive work environment in the theatre performance space. “What We Have; What We Want” is a series of staged monologues, based on true stories, presenting the inner lives and contradictions of real people bound by social convention who yearn to be free in family entanglements, culture, love and romance. “We want the performances to spark the very necessary conversations between youth and parents on sexuality, access to reproductive health rights, cultural angle and responses to sex, family, belonging and culture.” Touring in Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Mombasa and Lamu.
Katoi & the Mijikenda Jazz Band
Project Title - “Sumilani Amidzichenda (Mijikenda Music Fusion)”
Katoi wa Tabaka is a singer-songwriter and Afro-Fusion of Hip-Hop & Jazz (Kaya Hip-Hop) artist from Malindi, who blends traditional Mijikenda and coastal music with elements of soul and jazz. He leads The Mijikenda Jazz Band which unites live modern music instrumentalists, traditional instrumentalists, and other diverse musicians to create a unique fusion of sound, that celebrates Mijikenda heritage while incorporating global influences. “Sumilani Amidzichenda (Mijikenda Music Fusion)” is a musical journey that aims to celebrate and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Mijikenda people of Kenya through fusion of traditional and contemporary musical styles.Touring in Mombasa, Lamu and Nairobi.
LBX Africa
Performance Title - “Beneath the Tides”
A production company that specializes in creating high-quality fiction and non-fiction content with a mission to collaborate with both local and international filmmakers, to bring uniquely African perspectives to audiences across the globe. “Beneath the tides will showcase 6 captivating short films that offer a unique African perspective on family dynamics that resonate in contemporary African society and have received acclaim at prestigious global festivals. Touring in Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru.
Maina Munune
Performance Title - “A CHILD OF THE MAU MAU”
Maina is a standup comedian, writer and satirist based in Nairobi Kenya. He has risen to become one of the fastest-rising standup comedians in the Nairobi Comedy scene. A “CHILD OF THE MAU MAU” is a standup comedy tour that intends to explore the journey and struggles of the fight for Kenyan independence through satire and humor. “As a child of the Mau Mau myself, I feel that these are stories that are not told when they are, it is often through boring documentary style videos that are hard to watch and follow.” This comedy special gives perspective on systemic oppression of children and descendants of the Mau Mau and what the drive for fighting for independence was. Touring in Nakuru, Mombasa and Lamu
Nairobi Performing Arts Studio
Project Title - “Sirano Wa Begeraki”
NPAS is a theatre/TV production company and performing arts school offering part-time training in acting, singing, dance, producing and directing. NPAS produces high-quality productions and has won over 15 national theatre awards. The aim of “Sirano Wa Begeraki” is to bring high quality productions to Nairobi and beyond and to participate in the growth of the Theatre and TV industries in Kenya. NPAS will also run training programmes to raise award winning, critically acclaimed actors, singers, dancers, producers and directors. Touring in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Eldoret.
Sharon Ong’ayo Liboi
Performance Title - “Whispers of Power”
Liboi is a Nairobi-based Singer/ Songwriter, Producer & Kalimba Player who uses her creative ability to express the human experience, question humanity, and improve the well-being of the deprived in society. “Whispers of Power” aims to create a safe space that fosters introspection, promotes holistic wellness, encourages personal growth, and enhances the human experience through soul-blending music, storytelling, dance, and visual arts. Touring in Kisumu, Mombasa and Nairobi.
Wanjiku Mwawuganga
Project Title - “ROOTS”
A Kenyan performing artist who is inspired by works that push boundaries and embrace vulnerability and self-execution. She is an Alumni of the DAH Theatre International Summer School and a scholarship holder of the Zürcher Theater Spektakel. “ROOTS” investigates the relationships between mothers and daughters followed across five generations. Touring in Lamu and Kisumu.
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