We Almost Forgot, what life was all about...
How
do we attain Grace within the muffling burden of memories? How do we
remember when there are no words, when all we have are flashes of body
memories?
Artistic Intent- Qudus Onikeku:
After
almost two decades of performing, creating works and touring, and now
as the Artistic director of #WeAlmostForgot, i think this is indeed
going to be a rare experience, not just for me alone nor the entire
creative team, but most especially for the audience. In this new
creation, with 8 artistes on stage, all from varied backgrounds and
identities, we shall destroy assumptions and attempt to speak about
memories and the marks they leave on the body. Through the use of high
energy movements, story telling, singing and music, I am hoping to
create a show whose beauty is mostly in its cathartic abilities to heal,
to restore and to remember.
#WeAlmostForgot
will imagine the past as an entity, that has returned to tell the
present of its own horrors, of what we must hear in order to make proper
sense of it, rather than offering a reconciliation or a realistic
account, it has simply come on a cathartic mission, delivering our
headlines in unforgettable personal stories. Beyond history and memory,
what else has the past got to offer the present?
We are looking to raise $15 000 before our premier in
June 2016 (the date shall be communicated later). After almost 2 years
of personal creative process, gathering the needed materials to create
this work, then almost a year of sourcing for funds, reaching out to
create possible partnerships, we have been able to raise up to 80%
percent of our total budget, but we are still few miles away from
raising the needed amount to conclude the creation, as at now, we are
20% away from the creation budget. Although with the help of the
understanding team, work have started but at the end, we will need to
financially cover up a lot of loop holes, here is why we need your BIG
heart and GIVING spirit to make this happen. Your generosity through the
funds raised in this campaign, will go towards production elements as
we get to the end of our creation period, and plan a befitting world
premier in Berlin.
Qudus Onikeku is the
Artistic director and founder of YK Projects, Born in Lagos and a
graduate of The National Higher School of Circus Arts - France. For more
than a decade, he has retained a presence in the Nigerian choreographic
scene, and part of the new generation creators springing up from
Africa. Known in Europe, Asia, in the USA, Latin America and the
Caribbean for his solo works, writings and research projects.
Choreographer of and also a dancer in the piece"
Making of the team:
2 years ago, i decided to return to
Lagos, after a decade of living in Paris, my career as a
dancer/choreographer quickly became international, and quite successful
with my previous works, but the need to shift base became paramount,
mostly because i believe that if Africa is the future, as the empty
slogan goes, then the future must be now, then i moved to Lagos and
opened a dance center called The QDanceCenter, working mostly with young
people and also traveling the continent.
In early 2015 i went to Gabon to do some teaching and mentoring, there i met Gaëlle, whom i thought i'd like to have in my team. Later same year i was invited by the British Council, Lagos, to create a piece with dancers with and without disabilities, and i produced IWA L'EWA with Debby as a major dancer in it, her presence struck me, regardless of her scoliosis, i knew she had to be a part of WAF. And Ese however had been in my previous work 'My Exile is in my Head" since i knew I'll be needing an actress in this, i could think of no one but her.
Then in December 2015, we organized a 3days workshop/audition session, from there, i was drawn to the peculiar talents of Gwen, Sonia and Tidjiani, and one of the rarest creative team was made. We created a facebook group were we all interacted freely till we all met in Paris from January 18, 2016, to begin the process. It has been a physically and emotionally challenging work, but the bonding that existed was solid enough to be a motivation and a reason to want to go till the end of the journey.
In early 2015 i went to Gabon to do some teaching and mentoring, there i met Gaëlle, whom i thought i'd like to have in my team. Later same year i was invited by the British Council, Lagos, to create a piece with dancers with and without disabilities, and i produced IWA L'EWA with Debby as a major dancer in it, her presence struck me, regardless of her scoliosis, i knew she had to be a part of WAF. And Ese however had been in my previous work 'My Exile is in my Head" since i knew I'll be needing an actress in this, i could think of no one but her.
Then in December 2015, we organized a 3days workshop/audition session, from there, i was drawn to the peculiar talents of Gwen, Sonia and Tidjiani, and one of the rarest creative team was made. We created a facebook group were we all interacted freely till we all met in Paris from January 18, 2016, to begin the process. It has been a physically and emotionally challenging work, but the bonding that existed was solid enough to be a motivation and a reason to want to go till the end of the journey.
Meet the team:
Gwen Rakotovao was
born in France with Madagascan origin, a contemporary dancer and a
graduate of the Alvin Ailey School, in New York. Gwen has worked with
renowned choreographers, participating and winning international dance
competitions. Gwen also have her company that tours her personal works
internationally.
Sonia Al-Khadir. A
double Masters holder in social anthropology with specialization in
dance, her passion for contemporary dance has earned her various
certifications and participate in major Master classes given by renowned
choreographers. Of Moroccan and Algerian origin but born in France,
Sonia continues her academic research in dance and also teaches
contemporary dance.
Tidjiani N'Diaye is originally from Mali where he started his dance career, he has choreographed and performed under his own company "Copier Coller" registered in Mali, Tidjiani
has also worked with known names in the dance world. Living between
France and Mali, he participated in various training and also holds a
university degree in performing arts and holds a master degree in
choreography.
Deborah Aiyegbeni is
one of the new talents springing out of Lagos, Nigeria. Deborah has
participated in dance workshops and training, one of the star dancers in
the popular dance production IWA L'EWA (Lagos) which was her major
production. Deborah was selected to participate in the P.A.R.T.S / Ecole
de sables internship program.
Gaëlle Ikonda. With her Hip Hop and contemporary dance background, she has been able to integrate in various dance projects and also travelled around Africa participating in workshops and dance performances. Gaëlle is one of Gabon's talented dancers.
Ese Brume is an actress-performer-vocalist who was born and grew up in Nigeria before exploring the world, she has been in the exclusive contemporary Parisian theatre scene with over 20 years of experience. A Muse for painters, poets, musicians and playwrights she has travelled the world on stage performing.
Our ways of saying “Thank You”
We are saying a warm thank you in
advance for your kind heart. You are very much appreciated. However,
we'd also love to show our appreciation through our perks specially for you.
We welcome contributions of any size – big or small, every gift will
bring us closer to achieving our goal. For a gift of $15 or more you
have the option to receive one of the special perks listed on this page –
from personalized shout-outs to special mention on our website,
production photos signed by casts and crew, special invitations to
rehearsals, company's t-shirts and even special invitation to the
premier with a hotel reservation... Awesome right? check out our perks for you.
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