UKENIA Dance Theatre was founded in 2005 by Performing artist and dancer Kebaya Moturi (Dance-Weber-2004) and second generation Contemporary Kenyan dancer, as a result of the need to start a training platform for aspiring new contemporary dancers in Nairobi, Kenya.
As a result of the need to develop dance and built audiences, UKENIA founded the “Shakers" project in 2006:
- A research and dance training program for new dancers.
- An out-reach program to educate and build audiences about and for dance.
- A teaching platform for dance teachers to engage practice in their approach.
In 2006 UKENIA was funded for a community project by the Kenya community foundation to Facilitate the creations of the pieces Tafuta and Chuka as part of an outreach program with the organization.
UKENIA has been offering training for free to dancers since 2005 as part of the three year
“Shakers†training project and 6 of the trainees now work with other dance companies on free lance basis.
UKENIA is currently developing work on a special dance piece with a deaf people’s organization based on the sign language technique.
(photography by metta metta ART )
Photos from the piece: "Solidarity". Collaboration between Ukenia Dance Theatre and Alama Dance Company.