8.0 p.m.
A cosmopolitan on three continents - Africa, North America and Europe – wherever she decides to set up home, is she considered an immigrant?
In 'An Immigrant’s Story', Wanjiru Kamuyu explores the notions of place, belonging and otherness.
Her dance, a migratory map of encounters, starts with ballet, studied during her childhood in Kenya, to contemporary dance, discovered after her parents move family to the USA; and enfolded into her career journey’s delights in dances from the African continent and diaspora as well as butô.
Her body is a constantly shifting history. Her solo interrogates the gaze upon the “foreigner” in a new space, new society. Through satire, the work offers a critical eye on the notions of place and placement that are prevalent in today’s political discourse.
“Having lived on three different continents – Africa, North America and Europe – has provided me the privileged space and time to absorb diverse cultures and worldviews” – Wanjiru Kamuyu, Bessie Award winner 2024 for ‘Outstanding Choreographer’.
Duration: 55 minutes
“How can one not be won over by the intelligent foresight projected with so much conviction and sincerity?" - Yves Kafka, La Revue du Spectacle
“[The] performance… manages to load the room with reminders and new insights into a history and contemporary of racism, colonialism, sexism, migration and homesickness - all embodied through Wanjiru Kamuyu's autobiographical dance” - Sara Meidell, VK, Sweden
The WKcollective Ireland tour is presented by the Regional Dance Touring Network and supported by the Institut Français and Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations' program ‘Mouvements’.
Presented in association with the French Embassy in Ireland.
Choreographer and performer: Wanjiru Kamuyu
Dramaturge and producer: Dirk Korell
Texts: Laetitia Ajanohun
Translation of texts: Sarah Cardova & Wanjiru Kamuyu
Music composition: LACRYMOBOY
With the voices of Sherwood Chen, David Gaulein-Stef, Naïs Haidar,Karine Hanselmann, Wanjiru Kamuyu, Dirk Korell, Crystal Petit, Monika Schwarzl, Sean Seago and the stories of Tout-Monde
Light design: Cyril Mulon
Costume design Birgit Neppl
Production intern: Yvan-Loïc Kamdem Djoko
Special thanks to: Robyn Orlin, Jean Gaudin and David Gaulein-Stef
Executive production: camin aktion
Co-production
Espace 1789 de Saint-Ouen, scène conventionnée de Saint-Ouen
La Manufacture CDCN Nouvelle-Aquitaine Bordeaux • La Rochelle
L'échangeur – CDCN Hauts-de-France
Musée National de l'Histoire de l’Immigration
Théâtre de la Ville – Paris
L’Onde Théâtre Centre d’Art, Scène Conventionnée d’Intérêt National – Art et Création pour la Danse
micadanses, Paris
Funding
Direction régionale des affaires culturelles d'Île-de-France
Région Ile-de-France
SPEDIDAM
Institut Français
Residencies
Direction des Affaires Culturelles de la Ville d'Aubervilliers – Espace Renaudie
SUBS, Lyon, Saison 2019-20
Partnership - residencies
L'échangeur – CDCN Hauts-de-France
La Manufacture CDCN Nouvelle-Aquitaine Bordeaux • La Rochelle
La Place de la Danse - CDCN Toulouse/Occitanie
Partnership – studio space
Atelier de Paris / Centre de développement chorégraphique national
Les Laboratoires d’Aubervilliers
CN D Centre national de la danse, Pantin
micadanses, Paris (as part of a specific partnership)
