In this Dancing Class episode, Laura Griffiths and Rachel Krische host Farooq Chaudhry, who reflects on his journey from childhood in Pakistan to a career in UK dance, earning him an OBE.
Farooq explains how he navigated poverty, racism, and the transformative power of education and art. He recalls being inspired by Namron and later supporting a young Akram Khan, taking bold risks to help launch his early works. He explains how his more recent projects confront barriers of representation and identity in the arts.
The conversation explores resilience, vision, and creating space for all in dance.
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Farooq Chaudhry OBE
Dance Producer & Co-Founder of Akram Khan Company
Images of dancers at Lois Greenfield Workshop NY
Farooq Chaudhry OBE (he/him)
Dance Producer & Co-Founder of Akram Khan Company
London (UK)
Farooq Chaudhry OBE is a renowned dance producer who has played a pivotal role in shaping British contemporary dance for over three decades. Born in Pakistan and raised in London, he began his career as a professional dancer (1986–1999) before completing an MA in Arts Management at City University.
In 2000, Chaudhry co-founded the Akram Khan Company with choreographer Akram Khan. As producer, he created innovative business structures that supported ambitious, risk-taking productions, propelling the company to international acclaim. Together, they challenged aesthetic boundaries, redefined cultural universality and amplified marginalised voices.
His collaborative spirit has led to impactful partnerships with organisations such as English National Ballet and Chinese choreographer Yang Liping. In 2021, he founded Feng Ling Productions, dedicated to Chinese and East Asian artists and aesthetics. As Artistic Director, he directed his first productions: Nine Songs (2022) and Ten Thousand Tons of Moonlight (2024).
Beyond producing, Chaudhry is a respected educator and mentor, lecturing at institutions including Goldsmiths, London Business School and London Studio Centre. He has served as Artist Trustee of Tate and chaired its Members Advisory Committee. His contributions have been recognised with honorary doctorates, an OBE in 2019, and awards for his role in China–UK cultural exchange.
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Dr Rachel Krische
Performer & Academic Researcher
Credit Lizzie Coombes
Dr Rachel Krische (she/her)
Performer & Academic Researcher
Leeds (UK)
With a performance career spanning over 33 years, Rachel has performed, made work, movement directed, conducted research and taught extensively in diverse, international contexts.
She has collaborated with over 30 different artists/companies such as Deborah Hay, La Ribot, Akram Khan, & Siobhan Davies. Within academic research, Rachel investigates embodied knowledge, embodied cognition, body as archive and social class in dance within art practice and education. She mentors artists and post-graduate students and is a member of advisory panels within the professional sector. Occasionally she still busts a few moves … in front of an audience.
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Dr Laura Griffiths
Senior Lecturer in Dance
Credit Lizzie Coombes
Dr Laura Griffiths (she/her)
Senior Lecturer in Dance
Leeds (UK)
Laura is Senior Lecturer in Dance at Leeds Beckett University. Her research interests cohere around the relationship between dance and archives including the role of oral narrative in documenting the past.
Recent research has investigated the role of dance content on social media as modes of social connection and as an archival method. Laura is active in advocacy for the best practice in dance teaching, access and inclusivity in Higher Education within her role as Vice Chair of Dance HE, the national representative body for academics and practitioners in Higher Education Dance Departments.
Part of Dancing Class
Blending personal narrative with bi-neural sound and creative documentation, Dancing Class is a thought-provoking podcast which places dance centre stage in the conversation around class, opportunity and cultural value.
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Credits +
Date of recording: 17 June 2025
- Dr Laura Taylor
Sound Recordist - Amelie Thomas
Editing - Dr Jess Blaise Ward
Audio Accompaniment - Michael Ward
Audio Accompaniment Mastering
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