Who is Botis Seva?
Delve a little deeper into the award winning dance artist, choreographer and director working at the forefront of hip hop, physical theatre and contemporary dance.
Botis Seva - Helen Maybanks 2021Far From The Norm
Photo credit: Helen Maybanks
Botis Seva was born in 1991 and raised in London in a single parent household and was brought up in a traditional Congolese family.
As Botis grew up, it became clear that traditional educational pathways did not allow his creativity to flourish and his behaviour spiralled.
Botis Seva - Helen Maybanks 2021Far From The Norm
Botis found an outlet through music and rap in a local youth club in Dagenham and it was here his creativity was encouraged. He was then introduced to Hip Hop dance and combined with his musical enquiry, Botis embarked on an independent career in the arts.
Botis Seva Portrait by Helen MaybanksFar From The Norm
Most UK choreographers trained at leading conservatoires but Botis knew his training was rooted in Hip Hop and existed outside the mainstream educational routes. This meant his access route into the arts profession would be harder; a career not celebrated in his African heritage.
Botis Seva Portrait by Helen MaybanksFar From The Norm
After a few years of practising Hip Hop dance in his local youth club, supported by a group of like-minded individuals, Botis was taken under the wing of the international Hip Hop dance festival Breakin' Convention.
BotisSeva402Far From The Norm
It was here, that Botis was given the space, tools and resources to develop his artistic voice and nurture his trailblazing approach to Hip Hop dance and theatre. Fast forward, 10 years and Botis is the leading Hip Hop voice in the UK and internationally.
Botis Seva by Helen MaybanksFar From The Norm
Former Artistic Programmer at Sadler’s Wells
“One of the most emotionally intelligent, physically innovative, hardworking and inspiring new voices for a whole new generation"
Photography by Helen Maybanks
REK by Camilla GreenwellFar From The Norm
Botis Seva is an Olivier award winning dance artist, choreographer and director working within the realms of hip hop, physical theatre and contemporary dance.
InNoForm by Irven LewisFar From The Norm
Whilst his foundation is in choreography, Botis’ practice experiments with form, structure and theatrics to continuously reinvent his approach to creativity, whether that is in live or digital performance.
GOOD YOUTES WALK by Camilla GreenwellFar From The Norm
Borrowing techniques from film, text, art and other dance languages, Botis’s focus is on making a societal difference and using his autobiographical experiences to drive narratives.
"Seva has the potential to be a true, choreographic original"
The Guardian
Reach by Billy Boyd Cape StillFar From The Norm
Previous partners and collaborators include Alexander McQueen, BBC Films, British Council, Channel 4, NDT 2, The Space and Vogue.
Botis is in demand to work with other leading dance companies and initiatives in the UK, however it is his work and creative explorations with his company Far From The Norm that fuel his practice.
Botis Seva's MADHEAD on National Youth Dance CompanyFar From The Norm
Botis surrounds himself with driven, creatively inquisitive and humble artists who facilitate the imagining of his creative ideas, whether it be through dance, film, sound, lighting or costume. Botis keeps his trusted collaborators close and regularly works with them.
Botis Seva's Virtue at Wilton's Music HallFar From The Norm
"I've never seen Hip Hop performed like this!"
Audience Member watching BLKDOG
Botis Seva by Rick GuestFar From The Norm
Photo credit: Rick Guest
Botis regularly uses his own autobiographical experiences to shape his Hip Hop dance theatre narratives. He draws upon his journey into fatherhood, the racial abuse his family suffered, generational trauma, police brutality and his Christian faith.
Botis Seva by Rick GuestFar From The Norm
Who knows what the next 10 years of Botis' careers holds but his intention is to focus on the generation of young creatives behind him and continue to make evocative Hip Hop dance theatre work that aligns with current affairs.
Botis Seva by Rick GuestFar From The Norm
Many doors were opened and closed from his dance predecessors, and it is because of his journey into dance that Botis is working to share his learning and experiences to help nudge the Hip Hop dance community.
EACH ONE TEACH ONE
