Shakeera شاكيرا

My cheesy grinned self is looking for Collaboration! Good evening fellow creatives, movers and makers, as a movement artist and performer, I’m eager to continue expanding my creative horizons and dive into roles such as •Movement direction •Rehearsal/ assistant direction •Mentoring (please note I’m not interested in hierarchical systems of power and knowledge . I’m always keen for reciprocal conversations and discussions. Never based on “who knows best” because of age or experience). I’m excited at the prospect of exploring these areas and would love to bring my unique perspective to a project. Here’s a snapshot of my journey: Recent Dance and Theatre Projects: - ‘COMMUNITY AND BOND’, (on going) Choreographed by myself, funded by @celfcymruarts (Nov 2024) - ‘REQUIEM’ with @oasisoneworldchoir Director @ffioncampbelldavies (Nov 2024) - ‘CIRCLE OF FIFTHS’ Tour, @nationaltheatrewales directed by @gavinporter (Oct 2023 - Jan 2024) - ‘HOW SHALL WE BEGIN AGAIN’ Directed by @fong.jo (February 2023) - ‘THE SHOEMAKER’, @welshnat_opera_cencym directed by @sitathomas5 (Oct 2022) Professional Development - @ourvoicenetwork_ bursary recipient - ‘Exploration Week’ facilitated by @krystalslowe - Intensives with @silvestre1414 (Bahia, Brasil) Teaching Experience: - @jukeboxcollectiveagency - @babyballet_cardiff - @artsactivecardiff - @balletcymru - @balletbritain Education and Training: - @theplacelondon (Grad 2014) - @calartsdance (exchange programme) Check out my CV via my website for more info shakeeraahmun.co.uk (website link in my bio) Warmth and prosperity, Shakeera✨✨ 📸 @kmurre11

‘Diligence’ inspired by the imprint of memories and how these memories manifest into dreams. a short film I created whilst studying at @calartsdance in 2013. As well as studying my main subject, dance. There was an opportunity to take part in a variety of classes, such as Dance for Camera. This was my first time filming and editing. I made so many random films! I will be revisiting these themes in the coming months to make another short film, so watch this space! Thank you for the magic, @calarts ❤️ #Danceforcamera #movement #california #calarts #finalcutpro

Short Sharp Shock - March 2026 R&D residency. An incredible autobiographical documentary theatre show performed and told by storytelling extraordinaire Anthony ‘Wella’ Corria, and his lived experience in the criminal justice system, starting at Eastwood park. Supported by @walesmillenniumcentre Creative Team- Director/ writer/ camera: @gavinporter Movement director: @shakeera.creative Projection operator: @jorge_lizalde Sound design: @kiddus_ #theatre #untoldstories #movementdirector #documentary #documentarytheatre

Community & Bond (working title) R&D Nov 2024 - I began working with @junecampbelldavies and @flowmaugran on this project. I was excited, however as we entered the studio and started to research and develop the work, I felt overwhelmingly withdrawn from its themes. I didn’t feel the same way as I did during the inception of this work in 2018. The last 6 years had happened and community and bond didn’t feel the same. A lot shifted. I felt detached. It was a challenge to approach this R&D in the same way as I did in 2018. And it came with frustration and confusion, however, through this experience we created something so honest and raw, and I feel extremely lucky that I got to share, rant and purge through movement and discussions with these two wonderful people. I’m so grateful for their warmth, wisdom and compassion. Here’s a lil glimpse into the R&D we created together. Thank you @celfcymruarts 🎥: @syturnercamera

One of the many outdoor walkabout acts where I’ve been fortunate to participate. Inspired by women of the West Indies. This walkabout took place at Butetown Carnival in 2021 - Conceptualised and costume design by @junecampbelldavies Performers: @mamadatismas @flowmaugran @krystaldawncampbelldance @shakeera.creative #butetowncarnival #outdoorarts #culture 📸 @kmurre11

How Shall We Begin Again? was a collaborative performance project featuring 50 performers on the Donald Gordon Theatre stage for a two-day installation and initiated by the brilliant @fong.jo Out of all the music that was played over those two days, this song is the one that sticks in my head 😀 I think I’m still processing just how impactful this project was. I remember the high I felt being with everyone, especially after experiencing everyone give themselves fully on stage. It felt like a collective therapy session. The work explored themes of reconnection, embodiment, and community, functioning as a creative action that blended elements of portraiture, protest, and prayer.

The Sunset Show (2020) was an outdoor show commissioned through The Agency programme run via National Theatre Wales. Choreographed by @marfellus and performed at @grange_pavilion and for the residents of Grangetown. I had so much fun working on this project, blending styles, hip hop, circus, contemporary fusion into an outdoor arts spectacle. Performers: @sadiesoftware @georgeorange @leightonreesmilan @marfellus @shakeera.creative Creative Team: @mathildelopez_director @gavinporter @marfellus #outdoorartsuk #dance #artsinwales #walescollective

Soca Police @socapolice created/ conceptualised by the incredible Annette Fagon and 🪽Joanne Fagon🪽 Absolute powerhouses. My cousin @lianamakesdocs introduced me, and I was HOOKED. These photos were from Notting Hill Carni 2015. I do miss it a lot. When parading with Soca Police, it’s more than a walkabout act. It’s a reclaiming of the powers that be. A celebration of female empowerment. And ultimately the BEST people to jam with. You will find Soca Police parading Notting Hill Carnival EVERY year without fail!! Keep an eye out for Wray and his nephews 😉iykyk @annette_fagon @lianafilms @maidmessy

Traction (2019) A show exploring collective experiences about the climate and climate justice through a marginalised lens. Performed at Weston Studio at @walesmillenniumcentre Directed by @gavinporter Performers: @jaffrin.studio @itsjustalizay @shakeera.creative Sound design: @kiddus_ 📸 @gavinporter

The 3 Journeys, created in March 2020 alongside incredible artists and friends @junecampbelldavies and @flowmaugran . I remember June getting in touch to say WMC wanted to commission a new dance theatre piece for their International Women’s Day community event. It was such a beautiful process working with these two. And It was the first time I met and worked with Flow, who is now a very close friend of mine ❤️I loved sharing our imaginations together here🥰 #danceperformance #cardiffdance #communityarts #friendship

Okay so during Covid 2021-22 (jeez what a time), I went on a complete whim and decided to up-skill in my career, and trained in technical theatre. I became a casual stage technician and assistant stage manager at @walesmillenniumcentre and @shermantheatre as well as touring as a follow spot operator with @welshnat_opera_cencym for their Don Giovanni and Play Opera Live 2022 national tour. I did this for 2 years and I enjoyed many elements of the technical theatre world, but it ultimately made me absolutely MISS performing. I’d often get distracted watching what was on stage and then I’d miss my stage cues!! 😬 So I thought right, this ain’t for me, so imma have to park it... But it was a great experience!!

In October 2022, I had the pleasure of performing alongside wonderful artists, @jodiannnicholson_dance_artist and @liamthewallace on @welshnat_opera_cencym The Shoemaker, a powerful and immersive show about displacement, conflict and freedom. A story that is timeless and so strongly resonant today. “Isabella diligently shapes, stiches and creates shoes for people who have decided to leave their country to pursue a different future. Leaving a storm of hatred, injustice, oppression and war, a series of individuals journey off the beaten path in the hope of finding safety, equality, and freedom. But when they arrive in the promised land, they come face to face with a disgruntled King and soon realise that their troubles are not yet over. An exhilarating fusion of Latin American, Persian, and Western classical musical influences weave together to enhance the storytelling, guiding the audience through this standing performance.” 📸 @craigfullerphotography