Profile
Opiyo Okach is choreographer, and media designer based in Kenya and France. He stands as a figure in the contemporary dance scene of East Africa, notably for founding Company Gaara, Kenya's first contemporary dance company, in 1996. Okach's artistic vision includes improvisation, instant composition, and the integration of new media, exploring the dynamic interactions between body, culture, and technology.His works, such as "Cleansing," "Dilo," and "Shift...Centre," have gained international acclaim and have been presented at prestigious venues and festivals across Africa, Brazil, Europe, and the US, including Dancespace at St Marks New York, Festival Avignon, and Dance Umbrella. Through his leadership at the Gaara Dance Foundation and initiatives like Performance Lab Nairobi, Okach has significantly contributed to nurturing and mentoring a new generation of dance artists in East Africa. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Prix du Nouveau Talent Chorégraphique SACD.
