INTRODUCTION

Michael Arowolo is a multidisciplinary artist with a lifelong passion for the arts, specialising in African traditional, Latin, contemporary, hip hop, and street dance. Experienced in both academic and professional productions since 2016, with a background in choreography, performance creation and drumming. Strong track record of delivering engaging, dynamic performances across diverse artistic settings.

INTERVIEW

How did you get into your creative practice? What initially inspired you?

I started my creative journey about five years ago after studying Performing Arts and Drama for my undergraduate degree. I’ve always had a love for dance and music, and over time, I built a strong interest in theatre. I became involved in numerous productions, both on stage and on screen. I simply enjoyed performing in front of an audience, and that passion naturally led to a career in the performing arts sector.

What themes do you tend to interrogate in your creative practices?

My work often explores the theme of rhythmic movement in harmony with live music, focusing on how physical expression and sound interact to tell stories.

What is your favourite project you’ve ever worked on and why?

One of my favourite projects is a dance piece titled “Hard but Fragile” by Thulisile Binda. I collaborated with Thulisile to redevelop the piece, incorporating musicality and rhythmic elements to enhance the choreography. I especially enjoyed this project because it allowed me to perform live on stage, playing two different percussion instruments alongside the dancer merging both my musical and performance passions.

What advice would you have for creatives of colour looking to get into your creative practices?

Keep doing what you love most. Always seek inspiration from any and every source available and enjoy the creative process. Stay open to learning and evolving; growth is constant in this field.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently developing my solo dance libretto titled “Sacrilege.” It’s still in the development phase, but it’s an exciting project that continues to push my creative boundaries.