BISMARK ANOBAH

What are you most looking forward to as a Headliner of MOVE IT 2024? 

Its an honour to grace the stage with other innovative artists and peers. I’m excited about bringing something different to the stage and using this platform to showcase the skills I’ve acquired over the 20+ years I have been dancing.

What is the most important lesson you have learnt in your career so far?

To keep pushing regardless of what people think. It can be dangerous sometimes to give peoples opinion power over your creative process, I mean we all want to be liked and admired but sometimes its a long and lonely path as a creative its gonna be a process of trail and error and there’s nothing wrong with that, but the process is what makes you the artist you are… never be afraid to embrace being yourself.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? / Further career goals in the dance Industry? 


I would love to be more involved in working in theatre as well as maybe doing more movement direction if the opportunity was presented to create work for a show. Also using different visual mediums to create innovative work that is thought-provoking and also running a dance company in some sort of capacity but still being present and involved in the community aspect of Hip-Hop dance in East London and London as a whole

Do you have any advice for young aspiring dancers who want to get into the professional dance world? 


Train hard, love the dance and don’t be afraid to learn and train in the things you find difficult. There’s no shame in being a beginner and being humbled by the dance, also understanding process and not being in a desperate rush to know everything all at once. I guarantee the level up will happen if you put the work in. Also understanding of maintenance of your body knowing when to rest and regularly having treatments and doing your best to look after the machine which is your body.

What does dancing mean to you? 


Dancing is a language that brings us all together and liberates so many around the world. I find I have students that have used the skills learnt in dance and it is reflected in their outputs and translated as life lessons. I think we sometimes neglect how much these spaces and environments are invaluable to people growing up. We create safe spaces which allow people to leave life struggles at the door and be part of something much bigger than any one of us.

Are there any influences on your style of dance? 


I started dancing when I was at Secondary school (11 years old) there was a performing arts club that was affiliated with my school called Ladders YPW Club where I started doing African dance and Jazz then moving into Street Dance at the same time training in Drama and theatrics by the time I was 14 I was now assisting workshops alongside my dance teachers as well as training outside of Ladders with a Company called Ruff Stuff led by Kat B. As a young person there was no YouTube or social media I needed to be present to see things that challenged me and also bought inspiration for me to push and be better. At 16 me and my best friend Simone and I went and studied Musical Theatre at Brit School which also opened my eyes to more creatives and understanding professional practise. I was also while studying at BRIT training and dancing as part of another East London organisation called Estate of The Arts led by a man named Tony Lee. I was in a dance crew called Graffiti where I met a small collective of artists similar to me in their interest to explore and level up more and we became a collective known at the time known as Reloaded. We first entered a talent show at a community event and won. We started rehearsing at my long time friend Jade’s back garden as it was a space readily available and we just wanted to make things happen. I remember even busking in Central London to raise extra money just to make stuff happen. I won’t bore you with going into detail too much because we’ll be here all day lol. Giving thanks esp to Stella, Selina, Kat, Temujin Tyrone, Kelly, Nadine, Deborah, Michelle, Kat, Kenrick, Lungile, Turbo, Fred, Yami, Tash, Jade, Kloe, Warren, Nadia, Usifu, Dante, Ergonomikz and everyone I’ve worked with too many to name all. (Please forgive me if I’ve forgotten to credit you).  

What do you think is the biggest challenge that you face as a dancer? 


Constantly changing my identity to suit the job or specifics of what is needed of me in that particular role or job. To maintain performance and cleanliness but also be sensitive and sometimes compliment what is happening but not overwhelm … its the wearing of many hats simultaneously but also being clay which can be sculpted to whatever is needed.

What do you think are the most important qualities for success in the dance industry? 


Understanding what you are and your audience branding now in an. Age of social media is very important so also putting your best foot forward in the sense of what you’re putting out into the world its a scary and exciting time where it has become a lot easier to communicate with artists and entertainers through instagram and Tik Tok.

What can we expect from your Main Stage Performance?  


I want to create innovative work that pays homage to not only my peers, my teachers and also my fellow performers. I will say this … whatever I choose to do on stage I strongly doubt anyone else will do, Im in the process of creating a visual spectacle something emotive … I want people to see but more importantly feel. I hope to evoke emotion I’m trying to elevate in my craft where I can.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself  

Deep down I’m a comic book nerd who loves films, music. My wardrobe is full of old comics that hopefully be worth some money in the future. I can’t imagine a world without music, there’s an indescribable feeling when music hits you and resonates.