​Kunji Mark Ikeda, Canada

Kunji Mark Ikeda uses dance theatre to invite his community to experience and unfold the complexity of the human experience. Ikeda’s deep study of theatre, contemporary dance, and spoken-word poetry allows unique access to multi-faceted methods of storytelling and communal learning. He aims to redefine narratives of the body to demonstrate how physical communication can lead to physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Ikeda is the Artistic Director of Cloudsway Dance Theatre and was a founding ensemble member of Making Treaty 7 and DSW’s Dance Action Group, and was the Artistic Director of Momo Movement (Calgary’s mixed-ability dance company). He has multiple Betty Mitchell award nominations for performance and choreography. Ikeda was Alberta's only representative at the inaugural Dramaturgy for Dance Program at the Banff Centre of Arts and Creativity in 2018 lead by Ruth Little and Liz Lermon. Ikeda's fearless political works have examined toxic masculinity, artistic political manipulation, and the Japanese Internment of WWII.

Ikeda is an active member in the dance theatre community, involved in steering committees and support organizations in Calgary Alberta, Canada. Ikeda has collaborated with established organizations as Artist in Residence at the Banff Centre 2019, Dramaturg of Troy Emery Twigg’s work in DJD’s Modern Vaudvillians, and Assistant Director to OYR’s Denise Clarke on four separate creations. He has shared dramaturgical processes with nationally-acclaimed playwright Karen Hines, renowned Toronto-based ballet artist Robert Binet, and UK provocateur Janine Harrington. Ikeda’s training includes: contact improv legends Karen Neilson and Ray Cheung; sought after choreographers Sharon Friedman, Gerry Trentham, Kaeja d'Dance, Wen Wei Wang, and Axis Syllabus founder Frey Faust.

Residency supported by the Canada Council for the Arts