A producer led company creating adventurous art by connecting old worlds with new worlds
Our Team
Farooq Chaudhry
Director / Producer
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.
Emma Pu
Executive Producer
As a member of the new generation of Chinese producers, Pu Yurong has been committed to exploringinternational artistic cooperation, encouraging her peers to explore their talent and showcase Chineseartists on international stages. She moved to the UK atthe age of 15 and graduated from KCL with a MScof Management and Finance. After spending 7 years studying in the UK her interest in culturalintegration grew and gave rise to various initiatives: After returning to China, she founded theCambridge YouthSummer Camp, which is a cultural exchange opportunity that has been running for sixyears and brings advanced Western education concepts to young talents in the East.Building on this, she now brings her knowledge and experience to the field of the arts and has theopportunity to collaborate with artists in both countries.
In 2020 she founded Dandan Culture with theaspiration to become a bridge between China and the rest of the world, to encourage collaboration andto establish a network of artists, presenters and collaborators in order to elevate the profile of Chineseartists internationally and to bring new international artists and creatives to China. With a unique set ofskills and network, Pu Yurong and Dandan Culture are aiming to be part of a new wave of culturalleaders in the China and Internationally
Maggie Zhou
Strategy and Cultural Advisor
Maggie Zhou is a senior media professional with over 20 years of industry experience. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Maniverse (Shanghai) Culture and Art Co., Ltd.
Throughout her career, Maggie has worked in various areas of the media industry, including copyright, production, advertising, derivative business, and talent management. She has also gained expertise in international format/IP sourcing, cooperation, and the distribution of domestic cultural and entertainment content overseas. Maggie has diversified her investment and development ventures to include video content, lifestyle, and children's education.
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Maggie Zhou has held key positions at renowned organizations such as CAA China, CMC Inc., Wings Media and Yicai Media Group, the latter two belong to Shanghai Media Group.
Maggie has expertise in various areas, including business development, television, and entrepreneurship.
While working at WingsMedia, she actively participated in major international TV events such as MIPTV, MIPCOM, NAPTE, and ATF. She also reported on-site for Dragon TV at the Grammy's in 2006. In addition, she played a leading role in securing exclusive agent rights for Sesame Street in China. One of her team's notable achievements was the development and operation of "Big Bird Watching the World," a highly acclaimed production that delighted audiences for 180 consecutive days during the "World Expo Children's Drama" in 2010.
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Furthermore, Maggie played a vital role in obtaining approval and promoting the international expansion of the Yicai TV channel. Through her efforts, the channel became the only official Chinese professional financial channel launched in Singapore at the time, with official approval from the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television.
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Maggie Zhou's exceptional achievements highlight her passion, vision, and dedication to excellence in the media and entertainment industry. Her extensive experience and innovative mindset continue to shape the industry in China and beyond.
Secciya Li
Visual Identity Producer
Secciya Li's expertise in visual communications and graphic design plays a crucial role in her mission to promote sustainable development and social responsibility through the arts. Her creative approach to design allows her to develop innovative solutions that effectively communicate complex messages related to urgent environmental and social challenges.
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One of her notable accomplishments is her proficiency in city image design and rebranding. She has worked closely with several cities in Asia, collaborating with local governments and stakeholders to revitalize their visual identities. By incorporating sustainable design principles, she has helped transform these cities into more environmentally conscious and socially inclusive urban spaces.
Secciya's global leadership skills shine through her ability to lead diverse teams in developing sustainable solutions across different industries. Her experience in working with international collaborators and understanding various cultural contexts enables her to create designs that resonate with a wide range of audiences. Her projects often involve cross-sector collaborations, bringing together artists, policymakers, and industry leaders to develop holistic approaches to address societal and environmental issues.
Beyond her professional achievements, Secciya is deeply committed to nurturing emerging artists and promoting arts education as a catalyst for positive change. Through her organization, London Young Artist, she creates opportunities for young and talented individuals to showcase their work and amplify their voices. She believes that by empowering artists, they can become powerful agents of transformation, using their creativity to raise awareness, inspire action, and drive sustainable development.
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She uses her expertise in design and passion for sustainable development to position herself as a trailblazer in the field of social entrepreneurship. Through her work, she continues to inspire others to embrace the arts as a means to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
Yang Zheng
Social Media Manager
Yang Zheng is the Social Media Manager at Fengling Productions and a trustee of the Vocal Music Specialised Committee of the Guangzhou Musicians Association in China. Her diverse and multidisciplinary background, which includes extensive experience in media operations, event curation, and stage performance, instills confidence in her ability to handle various tasks.
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2019, Yang won gold and bronze awards at China's Guangzhou Youth Singer Vocal Competition. Her journey as a producer began in 2021 when she served as an organising committee member responsible for curating and operating the Guangdong Provincial Youth Singer Vocal Competition. Since then, she has taken on roles such as stage manager, producer, and director for numerous large-scale concerts. In 2023, Yang led the production of the provincial-level concert project "New Interpretations and Performances of Traditional Canton Vocal Works," launched online and in person and received high praise from audiences and critics alike.
Beyond stage art, Yang has made significant contributions to cultural education. While at the Guangdong Museum, she was involved in planning and producing the official explanatory film for the Guangzhou Lu Xun Memorial Hall, which won the Excellent Organisation Award at the Guangzhou-Taiwan Youth Lingnan Culture Competition.
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Yang is dedicated to exploring possibilities for cross-cultural artistic innovation and is committed to promoting the global dissemination and innovation of traditional culture.
Orphée Kashala
Trainee Producer
Orphée Kashala is a UK-based curator and cultural producer with a deep connection to Pan-African and Diasporic art. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he is currently living in London where his passion for arts and culture continues to thrive. Kashala has an academic background in Human Resources Management from Coventry University and Arts Management from Goldsmiths University.
His journey in the arts started off as a trainee producer at Maokwo in Coventry, where he delivered the young leadership program in a collaborative project with national art collections. In 2021, he was chosen to participate in the Emergence(y) project in Birmingham, a residency program jointly organized by Ort Gallery and ICF, aimed at nurturing emerging curators and developing their practices. The culmination of his residency was the creation of a curated exhibition in the summer of 2023 at Block 336, titled "Epiphany (Temporaire)," which garnered enthusiastic acclaim. This exhibition is set for a second iteration at IKON Gallery in the spring of 2024.
Kashala’s practice is a recourse to art and artists as mediums to lead the collective interrogation, interpretation and reckoning with Human complexity. Kashala leans into contradiction and complication to untangle an intrinsically resistant, liberated, and decolonised counter-visuality. Notable collaborations in his portfolio include the Belgrade Theatre, British Film Institute, IKON Gallery, Feng Ling Productions, The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry City of Culture 2021, The International Curators Forum, Block 336, MOCA London and Kimatica Studios.