THEATRE VERSUS OPPRESSION
Registered Charity SC039092
Using applied theatre to bring about positive change and development

Kwesi Johnson
Performer & Educator

Kwesi's first experiences of dance were through B Boyin and Funkstyles, and then Urban British Jazz Dance or Be Bop as it is sometimes called. He then went on to train professionally at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), where he graduated in 1991. In 1994 he created Kompany Malakhi, after receiving his first commission for a solo piece called, Searching for a Shaman. This was when his distinct style began to take shape by synthesising vernacular and contemporary dance styles, spoken word and film. It was a perfect marriage of the styles he had been exposed to, to this point in his career. He coined the phrase ‘Griographer’ to best describe his approach to making dance and physical theatre.  ‘Griot’ being an Afrikan story teller/social commentator who utilises many art forms to tell stories and pass on history, they do not separate dance. theatre, words etc, the components make a whole, like rhythm, melody and dynamics make music, and grapher from choreographer, being someone who creates movement. After the commission for Searching for a Shaman, Kwesi continued to absorb ideas and concepts. Whilst continuing to develop his style he performed and taught internationally.  His choreographic credits include the opening ceremony of the 1991 Olympic Conference; Black Mime Theatre; Boston City Lights (U.S.A); Step Afrika! International Cultural Festival, South Africa; London Bubble Theatre Company; the Southwark Playhouse. For Kompany Malakhi he has created Under the Influence 2000/01, Fuzion 2001/02, the sell out tour of A Hip Hopstory in 2003, Single Reflex 2004, Body Language 2005, A Hip Hopstory 'The
Remix' 2006 and Boxin in 2007 and 2009.