by Isaac Ouro-Gnao | Feb 19, 2018 | Father Figurine, Reflections, Website
A month ago, to this day, we premiered an extended Father Figurine at The Place. And in the nearly sold-out audience was mental health worker and advocate Raza Griffiths. “I found your piece...
by Emma-Jane Morbey | Sep 16, 2017 | Reflections
We’ve looked at many ways of working towards a healthy mind, from practicing mindfulness to emotional expression. It’s all been about the internal. But something many neglect is how the...
by Emma-Jane Morbey | Sep 14, 2017 | Classes
Navigating an injury can be tough. Physically – you can find some relevant advice on our previous post – and mentally. The effects of an injury on our mental health can at times be glossed over, or...
by Emma-Jane Morbey | Feb 22, 2017 | Classes
It seems everyone’s talking about ‘mindfulness’ these days. But what exactly does it mean? How can it help? Cast your mind back to last week. What do you remember? It’s a bit...Reuel-Eli James is a photographer and filmmaker based in Oxford. He got into photography around 5 years ago after investing in camera equipment to help create media content such as short films and vlogs. He enjoys using his work to tell stories of people and place.
He’s previously done work as an actor, director, writer, DOP (director of photography), editor and producer and is excited about using these skills to help develop Body Politic’s digital audience.
After graduating with BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Manchester, Emma-Jane has dedicated the past 10+yrs to supporting and nurturing the growth of Body Politic.
Having relied so heavily on dance as a young person to navigate and understand her own grief, Emma-Jane realised the transformational and universal power of dance and artistic expression. Through her work, Emma-Jane seeks to help children and young people grow confidence, challenge perceptions, and develop as young leaders of the future.
Emma-Jane has a huge amount of experience in facilitating workshops to engage vulnerable and ‘at risk’ groups in the arts, and directing youth platforms. Her work as a freelance dance practitioner has included work in Pupil Referral Units, Mental Health Care in-patient wards, disabled groups, early intervention hubs as well as schools and FE colleges.
As well as her work in local communities, Emma-Jane has toured two full-length Hip Hop theatre works Father Figurine and more recently, THEM. Passionate about bringing Hip Hop Dance Theatre to audiences aged 14-25yrs, and sparking conversation on challenging topics, Emma-Jane is proud to be one of the only female hip hop dance theatre makers in the UK touring nationally.
I am a professional working commercial dancer and dance teacher, with over 6 years of professional dance work and 3 years of teaching. Current teaching position at The Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts.
I am very interested in exploring the opportunity of teaching at Body Politic and would love to discuss this with you further.
During her career she has worked for major artists and featured on well-known TV shows, with some highlights being Kylie Minogue, Little Mix, Mabel, Netflix – Dance 100, X- Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, The Brit Awards and many more.
Hip Hop Dance Teacher & Gymnastics Coach
Marvin trained in dance at City of Oxford College, before becoming a Level 1 Gymnastics coach for Abingdon Gymnastics Club. Outside of teaching, Marvin is perfecting his craft as a stuntman and has been involved in various exciting projects.
Kiyana, 15, has been dancing for BP for 3 years now. One thing she has particularly enjoyed doing for the company is being a young leader. Kiyana enjoys going to the classes and seeing other young people learning to dance. It motivates her, to see smiles on the young people’s faces. Outside of dance I also play football for a team and enjoy learning new styles of hip hop dance.
Kyron Jake Anthony is a professional dancer based in London. He has been training in Hip Hop since the age of 7, frequently battling, competing and winning European titles with the International Dance Organisation (IDO).
Since graduating from the University of East London (UEL), he has performed Anne Marie on the Greatest Dancer, internationally in Athens Greece Nostos festival and been a part of Sky Arts film Project Rebel, a Boy Blue Hip Hop theatre production.
Kyron is a passionate about sharing his love for Hip Hop Theatre with others and is excited about becoming one of Body Politic’s teachers.
Isaac is an independent multidisciplinary artist working mainly in the Hip Hop Theatre world.
His training is rooted in Hip Hop dance, Popping and House, but his curiosity has led him to other disciplines like Contemporary, Contemporary West African styles, and the written forms of poetry and scriptwriting. As well as dance theatre, he is fascinated by visual arts and filmmaking, and his work has grown to communicate through these multidisciplines.
Recently working with Ella Mesma Company, and Kwame Asafo-Adjei’s Spoken Movement he is also a solo artist developing socio-political work The Oreo Complex – an exploration of Black identity through the discriminatory Oreo (Bounty/Coconut) label.
Isaac holds an undergraduate degree in Multimedia Journalism from Canterbury Christ Church University.
Tyrone Isaac-Stuart is a soloist and collaborator currently blending his skills into a series of innovative stories. He studied Jazz saxophone at Middlesex University and the University of New Orleans and developed as a dancer whilst performing for East London’s Finest; Boy Blue Entertainment.
He has taught and performed internationally (USA, Switzerland, Soweto, Kenya, France and Brussels) and locally (UK). His credits include: Sean Graham, Joseph Toonga, Soweto Kinch, Boy Blue Entertainment, Nora Chipaumire, Irene Wernli, Freddie Opoku-Addaie, Sharlene Carter, Body Politic, Theo ‘Godson’ Oloyade & Hayley Matthews.
Tyrone’s style is rooted in musical, physical & spiritual practice. He is currently completing his debut album and gallery space work.
Natalie Wong is a graduating artist and dance teacher.
Natalie trained at the University of East London studying Urban Dance Practice graduating in class of 2020. Alongside this Natalie has taught for Body Politic Dance, Momentum Dance Academy and was an enabler for the Parasol Project Dance. Natalie has worked with different ages and abilities.
She started dancing contemporary at the age of four and then at a later age she discovered breakin’. Natalie has now trained in many styles of dance through clubs, groups, crews, college and university. From Natalie’s education at UEL she has learnt from many different successful artists in the dance industry. Her favourite styles are breakin’, contemporary and hip hop.
Natalie has a real passion for dance as it has had such a positive impact on her life and having the opportunity to teach has been incredibly rewarding.
To be able to express is a gift and to have the privilege to do that through dance is massive.
She loves to be able to see her students flourish and be part of helping them to be the best version of themselves.
I first started dancing at the age of eighteen with my University’s dance team, Imperial College London. Since then, I have been active in the London dance community, training with various teachers, performing in shows, and creating my own pieces.
Throughout the four years I have been involved in Body Politic, I have choreographed for the Breezeblocks video and Reflections, performed at Pegasus Theatre in February 2016. Most recently, I performed at Body Politic’s 4 year anniversary show case, Profectus at Chisenhale Theatre. All of which were accomplished with my dance partner in crime, and best friend in life, Stephen Brown. In October 2016, Reflections was awarded Arts Council England funding. I look forward to further develop Reflections, creating two new works. I’m excited for my continued involvement this dynamic and exciting company.
I began dancing in 2010 when I started University. Since then, I have joined a number of teams within the London community, building my ability to dance, choreograph and teach internationally. Over this period, I have performed at well known venues such as Saddlers Wells, Wembley Arena and the Dominion Theatre.
My most notable achievements have been with Body Politic where I, alongside my closest friend Derek Mok, have choreographed for their previous theatre piece, Reflections in February 2016. Additionally we’ve created the Body Politic Dance video “Breezeblocks”, and have choreographed and performed for multiple events and showcases. Through love of the art form, I have danced alongside many of my inspirations within the community, whilst creating my own works that I am immensely proud of.