Joseph Toonga
Joseph Toonga, hailing from Cameroon and raised in East London, is an inventive and visionary choreographer rooted in the vibrancy of hip-hop culture, crafts and performs compelling dance productions deeply entwined with contemporary narratives. His distinct choreographic style fuses the essence of hip-hop with genuine life experiences, challenging societal norms, dismantling racial stigmas, and sparking transformative conversations.
Acknowledged for his outstanding talent, Joseph was honoured with the Best Choreography Award at New York’s Reverb Dance Festival, showcasing his innovative approach within the hip-hop dance realm. Renowned institutions such as the Dutch National Junior Ballet, Ballet BC Annex, National Youth Ballet/Bundes jugend ballett, Richard Alston Dance Company, Junior Ballet Madrid (Elephant in the Black Box), and East Wall (with Hofesh Shechter) have sought his choreographic brilliance, showcasing his diverse expertise across various dance forms.
As the appointed Royal Ballet’s Choreographic Residency artist for
2023/2024, Joseph’s contributions transcend boundaries, harnessing the power of hip-hop to reshape societal narratives. A driving force behind Just Us Dance Theatre and Artists4Artists, he remains steadfast in his commitment to cultivating innovation in both hip-hop and contemporary dance while nurturing the next generation of exceptional talent.
Joseph Toonga work:
“Born to” Trilogy :
The Trilogy, comprised of “Born to Manifest”, “Born to Protest”, “Born to Exist: the women I know” and Joseph Toonga’s wider artistic oeuvre, stands as a critical vehicle for portraying the lives of young black British individuals. Through the powerful medium of Hip Hop dance theatre, this trilogy challenges societal stigmas, celebrates cultural identity, and delves into the intricacies of ethnic minority representation. Its overarching goal is to bring change and visibility to narratives often side-lined in mainstream media.
“Born to Manifest” and “Born to Protest” confront prevailing prejudices and misconceptions, exploring themes of power dynamics, vulnerability, and the perpetual struggle against imposed stereotypes. The addition of “Born to Exist: the women I know” extends this exploration, focusing on the stories and experiences of black women. This installment delves into the complexities of their lives, shedding light on their strength, resilience, and unique challenges within society.
Joseph Toonga’s collaborative approach, involving creatives like Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante for original scores, Simisola Majekodunmi for lighting design, and dramaturg Peggy Olislaegers, continues to create a platform for activism and change. Additionally, Toonga’s engagement in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, through the “Young, Gifted & Black” program, exemplifies the transformative potential of art in empowering low-income black female teenagers in favelas through dance. This multifaceted approach aims to amplify marginalized voices and foster societal understanding and change.
Part 1: Born To Manifest
Born to Manifest is a powerful Hip Hop dance theatre duet that illuminates the experiences of young black British men. Joseph Toonga draws from real life accounts to a create a poignant, responsive piece that simultaneously champions cultural identity and challenges racial stigmas. Set to an original score from Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante, this dynamic dance work explores the power and privilege that still oppress and dictate. Joseph delivers stark home truths through the complexity and beauty of an individual’s journey.
Part 2: Born To Protest
Born to Protest is a 35 minute outdoor work and aims to dismantle presumptions about the black male and female figure based on intimidation, danger and isolation, revealing instead character traits around fragility, vulnerability and a constant battle to prove oneself. This hypersensitivity of the black body in space is magnified by a group performing en masse to a soundscape which sets up an intense energy with Hip Hop beats and voice over.
Part 3: Born to Exist: The Women I Know…
This Hip Hop Dance Theatre Production forms Toonga’s third part of his Nationally acclaimed, Hip Hop Dance trilogy that invites change, and a sense of overcoming stigmas society holds towards ethnic minorities. Analysing representation with an intersectional focus to show untold, underrepresented, individual journeys. Joseph combines his research with his own experiences and the cast to manifest what is means to be a human and show it in all its ugliness, beauty, contradictions and
complexity. Joseph’s choreographic style is used as a conduit for trauma, fed through a vacuum of movement and given to audiences.
This work brings together a powerhouse of creatives, lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi, an original score from Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante and dramaturg Peggy Olislaegers and provides the platform for ultimate activism. Alongside this theatre production Joseph is collaborating with three afro Brazilan female creatives to establish a social programme in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The progamme ‘Young, Gifted & Black’ works to support and empower low-income black female teenagers favela’s in Rio through dance.
“My job is to somehow make them curious enough and persuade them by nook or crook to get more aware of themselves, where they came from, what they are into and what is already there and to bring it out. This is what compels me to compel them and I will do it by what ever means necessary” Nina Simone, 1969 Commissioned by Theatre Boulevard, The Place; DanceEast, supported by Redbridge Drama Centre, South East Dance and the Arts Council England. Toonga’s choreography sits neatly alongside the cultural signifiers of black culture – Lorna Irvine, fjord review
To find out more information about Joseph works and touring, please find the right contact below:
Touring/ work
North American Artist Representative
Cathy Pruzan
415-789-5051
cpruzan@aol.com
http://www.pruzandancearts.com
Just Us Dance Theatre related:
Josephtoonga@justusdancetheatre.com
info@justusdancetheatre.com
Commissions:
Assis Carreiro
Artist Management
International Arts &
Cultural Projects
contact@assiscarreiro.com
susannah@assiscarreiro.com
https://www.assiscarreiro.com/contact
