Akram Khan Company

Today, we conclude our birthday month reflecting on pieces that have defined our history. From Kaash, Sacred Monsters, DESH, Until the Lions and XENOS, we have shared the space with collaborators that have shaped us today and audiences across the globe - each experience woven into the threads of AKC. Here is to 24 years of storytelling through movement, and to another year of curiosity, courage and connection. Images by Roy Peters (1), Tristam Kenton (2), Richard Haughton (3), Jean Louis Fernandez (4&5).

We see dance as a meaningful way to express and tell stories. This special short film, captured by Sarah Vaughan-Jones, highlights the two-year journey of Moving Stories: The Teacher Training Programme, and its impact on future generations. Thank you to Paul Hamlyn Teacher Development Fund for their support in empowering teachers to bring movement into the classroom. For more information on Moving Stories >>> https://bit.ly/3Nh3lcp

Here at AKC, the #MovingStories project holds a special place in our hearts. Since our move to East London, we remain deeply committed to the communities around us, and our journey doesn't stop there. Through the project, we hope to create a legacy that transcends AKC by empowering schools to discover and explore the transformative possibilities offered by movement and storytelling. Here is a sneak peek of what's to come ahead of our special film premiere on Monday. Find out more >>> bit.ly/3ytE6yX - Funded by the Paul Hamlyn Teacher Development Fund Film by Sarah Vaughan-Jones

We are proud to announce our collaboration with the wonderful Dance United Yorkshire on a truly unique project called Memories of the Future. As part of Bradford's tenure as City of Culture 2025 launching today, AKC will come together with participants from Dance United Yorkshire’s remarkable, transformative programmes, including some of Bradford’s most vulnerable individuals. The journey will culminate in a special one-off performance at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, in July 2025. Guided by the artistic vision of Akram and DUY's Artistic Director Helen Linsell, the production will be choreographed by two specially selected Yorkshire-based artists Tallulah Shannon and John William-Watson, with an original score by long-time collaborator Vincenzo Lamagna. This is Memories of the Future, and we look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you. More info > bit.ly/4d12Xcg Video by Maxime Dos

While on tour, Company dancers frequently lead workshops for local participants, sharing and embodying choreographic repertoire from AKC productions Jungle Book Reimagined and Chotto Desh. In light of the Company's upcoming performances of Jungle Book Reimagined at Helsinki Festival, dancer Max Revell led a session with first and third year students from the BA Dance course at the Theatre Academy, University of Helsinki. Catch us at Helsinki Festival from 22-24 August. Photos by Saara Autere

Today marks one month until the World Premiere of "GIGENIS: the generation of the Earth", at the Grand Théâtre de Provence- Aix en Provence : Akram’s latest independent commission produced by Productions Sarfati.   GIGENIS brings together seven distinguished soloists from Indian classical dance, including Akram Khan himself, along with seven live musicians who together delve into themes of love, loss, despair and innocence.   We are so excited to share the first details of this tour so far. Please stay tuned for insights into the creation process with some of the production’s esteemed artists, which we’ll be sharing in the coming weeks.   📅 World premiere: August 30, 2024  📍 Grand Théâtre de Provence - Aix-en-Provence  🔗 https://lnkd.in/e53ryzPy 🎥 Video : Maxime Dos __________________   Aujourd’hui, un mois nous sépare de la Première mondiale de "GIGENIS : the generation of the Earth", au Grand Théâtre de Provence - Aix en Provence : la dernière commande indépendante d’Akram Khan produite par les Productions Sarfati.   GIGENIS réunit sept célèbres solistes de la danse classique indienne, dont Akram Khan lui-même, ainsi que sept musiciens sur scène, qui explorent ensemble les thèmes de l’amour, de la perte, du désespoir et de l’innocence. Nous sommes ravis de partager les prémisses de ce projet en tournée. Restez en ligne pour découvrir les secrets du processus de création que nous partagerons dans les semaines à venir.   📅 World premiere: August 30, 2024  📍 Grand Théâtre de Provence - Aix-en-Provence | Les Grands Théâtres 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e53ryzPy 🎥 Video : Maxime Dos Akram Khan Company

Today we celebrate Akram's 50th birthday, marking half a century filled with extraordinary milestones, growth and so many cherished memories that have shaped him into the remarkable person he is today. Each decade has brought him closer to his Dance with a deeper understanding of his responsibilities - all of this as an artist who is a son, husband, and father. As we honour Akram's journey so far, we also look forward to the new stories, connections and possibilities that await him in this next chapter. Photo credits: unknown, Chris Van der Burght, Tristram Kenton, Jean-Louis Fernandez, Camilla Greenwell

On Thursday, Akram received an honorary doctorate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, joining 300 graduates from disciplines such as music, drama, dance, production, film and education. In his address, Akram shared, "I am very honoured and grateful to be receiving an honorary doctorate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Performing arts conservatoires like RCS are integral, and I am humbled to be here amongst those who, like me, value the absolute importance of performing arts education and creativity.” 📷 Akram celebrating with the BA Modern Ballet graduates

Last week marked the beginning of an exciting series of events for our teacher training project, Moving Stories. Akram, his mother, parents and carers all gathered to watch 60 children from Lansbury Lawrence Primary School share their projects. Year 2 teachers Neil and Syeda, guided their classes through a typical lesson to share how they are using movement as a tool to enhance learning across curriculum topics such as habitats, continents, community and The Great Fire of London. It was a poignant and eye-opening afternoon as they demonstrated how the power of movement had significantly improved the students' learning beyond traditional teaching methodologies, and enhanced Equity and Inclusion in their classes. Look out for our Moving Stories Year 2 film this summer, where we will capture special moments from projects at each of our four participating schools in Tower Hamlets. We look forward to sharing the journey and celebrating this wonderful project. More here >>> bit.ly/3ytE6yX 📷 Akram, his mother, and Kerri Sellens - Assistant Head, Curriculum, Lansbury Lawrence Primary School.

Have you heard the big news? We are so excited to announce the release of our new podcast, Move to Live with Akram Khan, in collaboration with Tandem Productions. Starting June 5th, join acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan each week as he explores the power of movement. In each episode, he’ll be joined by an acclaimed guest including stage designer Es Devlin, actor Andy Serkis, violinist Izzy Judd, actor Khalid Abdalla, Royal Ballet Star Francesca Hayward, actor Kathryn Hunter, and more, revealing how movement fuels their creativity and well-being. “As a dancer, choreographer and director, I’ve made movement my life’s work. I’m fascinated by how the way we move affects the way we live, and how the way we live shapes our movement. I’ve loved having this opportunity to explore this on the podcast with some truly wonderful guests, and hope it inspires others to think more about their relationship to movement and dance.” - Akram Khan It has been such a treat to collaborate with people who share our passion for the arts. We can’t wait to share these insightful conversations with you. Watch full episodes on Marquee TV or listen wherever you find your podcast 👉 https://lnkd.in/g2KFzt6y Want to read more? 👉 https://lnkd.in/etGi96qR Akram Khan Company  #Podcast #SVOD #MarqueeTV