About

Akropolis I, presented by Rigour Arts
National Dance Awards 2025 nominee Kennedy Junior Muntanga performs a raw, shape-shifting solo that dives deep into fractured identities, power, and survival through the lens of the African diaspora. Akropolis I introduces four bold characters — the Hare, the Lion, Eva, and the Commander — each embodying a different legacy of migration, memory and resistance. Charged, physical, and cinematic, this is the first chapter of an ambitious trilogy exploring the realities of diasporic life across generations. A striking new voice in contemporary dance and storytelling, Muntanga invites you to witness, question, and feel.

"Emotive and punchy"

4* The Stage

"It's a dance for exploring the edges, what is fragile, and what you might find in your core when you look"

Fringe Review

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Artist biography

Kennedy Junior Muntanga is a Zambian-born choreographer, artistic director, and rehearsal director based in the UK. A leader in contemporary dance, his work is driven by a deep commitment to storytelling, movement research, and the transformative power of dance. He was nominated for Best Emerging Artist within the prestigious National Dance Awards 2025. Kennedy's journey began with Musical Theatre at 16 before joining Phoenix Dance Theatre Youth Company and the National Youth Dance Company at 17. In 2016, he was accepted into Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance, setting the stage for a career that has seen him perform for world-renowned artists, including Akram Khan MBE, Humanhood, Sir Robert Cohan CBE, Alesandra Seutin, Michael Keegan-Dolan, and more.

Since then, he has carved out a distinctive choreographic voice, creating works for Phoenix Dance Theatre, ACE Dance & Music, Frieze London Festival (representing Oskar Schlemmer), Saul Nash, Bath Spa University, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, The Place (LCDS), Rokia Koné, and his own company, Kennedy Muntanga Dance Theatre.

His choreography blends dynamic physicality with emotional depth, challenging both performers and audiences to engage in new ways.

In addition to his choreographic work, Kennedy has held leadership roles as Artistic Director of Trinity Laban's Youth Dance Company and Rehearsal Director for ACE Dance & Music, guiding dancers and shaping creative processes at a high level. His ability to foster artistic growth, inspire performers, and develop compelling narratives has made him a sought-after voice in contemporary dance.With a bold vision for the future of dance, Kennedy continues to push boundaries, creating work that is as thought-provoking as it is physically daring.

Rigour Arts

An arts and producing organisation run by Ruth Holdsworth. Ruth grew up and lives in Chepstow, and is a producer and arts organisation director who works nationally, in the UK and internationally. Recent projects have included shows at Southbank Centre, London.