Farooq Chaudhry, a renowned and influential dance producer who has recently ventured into directing, has been a key figure in shaping the eco-system of British contemporary dance over the past three decades. Born in Pakistan and brought up in London, Chaudhry, a recipient of an Asian Achievement Award for dance, transitioned from a successful career as a professional dancer from 1986 to 1999 to further his passion for the arts by obtaining an MA in Arts Management from City University after his retirement. This pivotal decision marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his illustrious dance career.

 

In the year 2000, a chance meeting with choreographer Akram Khan sparked Farooq Chaudhry's innovative spirit.  He revolutionised the dance world by devising new business structures that blended enterprise, ambition, and personal risk to pave the way for Akram Khan’s daring and ground-breaking productions. In addition to these productions he conceived initiatives such as AKCT (Akram Khan Charitable Trust 2005-2016) and Portraits in Otherness (2017) within the AKC company framework to provide career-defining platforms for emerging artists, breaking barriers and showcasing diverse movement languages. Numerous artists, including Gregory Maqoma, Aakash Odedra, Yuko Inoue, Anton Lachky, Joy Christine Ritter, Ching Ying-Hsien, Maya Jilan Dong, and Dickson Mbi, have reaped the rewards of this program.

 

This early success offered a new path in the evolution of dance companies, emphasizing artistic freedom and entrepreneurial drive to open doors for Akram Khan and many others. The transformative impact of this shift cannot be overstated. It challenged prevailing aesthetic standards, broadened ideas of cultural universality and excellence, and amplified the voices of marginalized communities. New industry benchmarks were set in both the art and business models that allowed the company to flourish. Now in its third decade Chaudhry remains as an integral strategic presence as Producing Director for the Akram Khan Company ensuring it stays relevant and resilient in challenging times.

 

Chaudhry's profound love for the arts and genuine desire to foster global connections, propelled him to expand his credentials as a producer for a diverse range of international artists and organizations. His impactful collaborations include work with the renowned English National Ballet and esteemed Chinese choreographer Yang Liping, elevating their standing on a global scale. In 2016 to 2017, Farooq Chaudhry assumed the position of CEO for the Oscar-winning artist Tim Yip, unlocking fresh avenues for Tim's extraordinary visual gifts.

 

Chaudhry has also been a driving force in nurturing a new vanguard of talents like the British Cameroonian choreographer Dickson Mbi, Indian Kathak artist Aditi Mangaldas and ethnic Chinese dancer Maya Jilan Dong, guiding them to prestigious awards and nominations.

 

In 2020 he was the producer on the ambitious triple bill Isadora Now for Viviana Durante Dance Company.  In 2024, he assumed the role of International Strategy Consultant for the promising Chinese sensation Li Xing, further cementing his influence in the international arts community.

 

Alongside his roles as a producer and director, Farooq Chaudhry has made significant contributions as an educator, imparting his knowledge through consulting, mentoring, and lecturing at prestigious institutions including London Studio Centre, Goldsmiths University, and the London Business School. He is a sought-after guest speaker and active participant at global arts conferences and festivals, sharing unique perspectives and insights cultivated through a career and experiences beyond traditional developmental pathways. From 2018 to 2021 he was the co-director of PECDA (Prakriti Excellence in Contemporary Awards) that was and continues to be instrumental in identifying some of the most exceptional contemporary dance talents in India ensuring that they have the necessary resources and guidance to contribute to the global artistic narrative.

 

In 2024, Chaudhry served as a co-curator for the digital museum "A Very British Rhythm," honouring the impactful contributions of dance artists of colour who have influenced and enriched the UK dance scene for the past 200 years, contributing to its present-day success. Moreover, Farooq Chaudhry has dedicated himself and his company to offering umbrella platforms for unconventional projects worldwide, exemplified by initiatives like Pettee for UAE artist Deepak Unnikrishnan.

 

Between 2019 and 2023, Farooq Chaudhry served as an Artist Trustee at the esteemed Tate Museums, during his tenure as trustee he also chaired the Members Advisory Committee at Tate Modern. Responding to the imperative call for cultural institutions to address diversity and inclusion following the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, he jointly chaired Tate's Racial Equality Task Force. Additionally, Chaudhry took on the role of chairing Sadler's Wells Racial Equality Task Force during this impactful period. These roles were instrumental in reshaping the approach to diversity within both institutions, fostering a more equitable and forward-thinking environment.

 

Chaudhry's extensive contributions were recognized through honorary doctorates from De Montfort University in 2014 and Goldsmiths University in 2023. In 2019, he was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's New Year's Honours for his services to Dance.  In 2022 he was made a Patron of The Place in London. In 2023, he became Associate Producer at Dance City, Newcastle and in 2024 he became the chairman of the U.K. Young Artists Association.

 

In 2021, Farooq Chaudhry founded Feng Ling Productions, drawing inspiration from a profound curiosity with Chinese and East Asian artists, stories, and aesthetics. As the Artistic Director, Farooq Chaudhry champions the vision "beautiful things happen when different worlds meet." His objective is to oversee the creation, production, and curation of meaningful international collaborations in dance theatre that exude integrity, grace, and invention.

 

Chaudhry's directorial achievements include serving as the movement director for the short film "The Lost Highway" by music pioneer James Lavelle in 2018. This was screened at both the Saatchi Gallery and IMAX cinema in London. He made his stage directorial debut with the music and dance production “Nine Songs" in Alular, Saudi Arabia, as part of RCU's innovative Performance in the Landscape initiative in November 2022. In 2023, he embarked on the production "Ten Thousand Tons of Moonlight," a unique collaboration with celebrated Chinese contemporary poet Yu Xinhua. The production is set to premiere in Shanghai in November 2024, followed by an international tour over the next two years.

 

Chaudhry, a creative force fuelled by insatiable curiosity, has adeptly navigated changing times while staying true to his values. With an uncompromising commitment to levelling the playing field he champions diverse voices to honour authenticity and personal truths in all his work.