Just Us Dance Theatre: Born to Manifest

‘You say I’m just a black guy. I know who I am, do you know who I am?’

Born to Manifest is a powerful new Hip-Hop dance double bill that illuminates the experiences of young black British men.

Joseph Toonga draws from real life accounts to 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 new 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.

"a thoughtful and nuanced depiction of how complex and fraught identity can be in Britain today... ★★★★" (DanceTabs)

Recommended  for ages 12+ 

This double bill will be opened by a short curtain-raiser performance made in response to Born to Manifest by 12 young people from Glasgow-based dance crews Goblynz and Dimestoppers, who have been working with Joseph Toonga and local Choreographer Divine Tasinda for the last month. 

There will be a post-show discussion with Toonga after his show, which will be chaired by local artist Thulani Rachia

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Born to Manifest is Just Us Dance Theatre’s latest hip hop programme which has been commissioned by DanceEast - where Joseph Toonga is an Associate Artist, The Place and Redbridge Drama Centre, and developed with Dance Base and B-Motion, Bassano. 

‘I feel a responsibility as a black male to empower the younger generation as a role model and an example of how dance can provide a positive, successful route. Mental health, and black men’s experiences of it, is little discussed, which is why I am passionate about creating awareness to shift stigmas.’ – Joseph Toonga 2018.