Open Art Surgery

Artists

Milan Valencia

Milan is a dance artist from Birmingham. She began dancing at the age of 7 and her style has always been deeply rooted in abstract/feeling based movement influenced massively by hip hop pathways and foundations.
The purpose of her movement is to always showcase vulnerability & constantly make the audience feel that they’ve been taken on a journey through storytelling. She has always taken an interest in hip hop theatre & completed the Far From The Norm Development Labs in 2023. Milan’s aim is to break the stigma around

Emmanuel Lee ‘Duce’

I'm Emmanuel Lee, aka, Duce. I'm a hip-hop freestyler/battler representing Outlaws Crew. I'm currently in my third year at University of East London studying a Dance degree, where I'm exploring my own choreographic identity within hip-hop theatre. Within my choreographic practice, I'm looking to bridge the gap between spoken word and movement within a hip-hop theatre context and through platforms such as Open Arts Surgery, using this opportunity to help me explore some existing ideas whilst developing new ideas too, with the help of the mentees. 

Kaner Scott 

Kaner Scott is a dancer, choreographer, and creative director from South East London, known for his innovative approach to movement and storytelling. Specializing in Flexin, Electro, and Popping, he blends street styles with abstract and avant-garde elements, creating visually compelling work that pushes the boundaries of contemporary dance.  His career took off when he was discovered while busking on the streets of London, a moment that propelled him into the international spotlight. Since then, Kanah has collaborated with iconic names including Oliver-Award winning TRAPLORD, Quincy Jones, Rita Ora, Kylie Minogue, and Years & Years, as well as global brands such as Nike, Bally, Axel Arigato, and Dsquared. Through his work across music, fashion, and theatre, Kanah continues to redefine the landscape of modern dance and performance. 

Mikee Trice

Mikee Trice is an emerging London-based movement artist, performer, and choreographer. Originally self-taught, he developed his unique movement language through freestyle, drawing from Popping, Electro, Isolation, and Contemporary, forming a practice rooted in musicality, texture, and individuality. He is particularly interested in exploring themes of identity, duality, and lived experience, blending hip-hop theatre, storytelling, and spoken word to create emotionally honest and immersive work.
Although dance began as a personal passion at the age of six, Mikee has only recently stepped into the UK professional dance scene, where he has quickly gained recognition for his drive, maturity, and work ethic. He is currently a performer and Young Leader with BoyBlue, performing at leading venues including the Barbican Centre and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Mikee is now focused on expanding his choreographic practice and creative direction, developing work that reflects his artistic voice as he establishes himself within hip-hop theatre.

Tiegan Doyle 

Tiegan Doyle is a UK-based dance artist and choreographer working experimentally across hip-hop and contemporary forms. Her practice centres on movement as a tool for reflection and social dialogue, exploring themes of femininity, silencing and expression. A graduate of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, her work has been presented to international audiences, including a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe and performances on national festival stages. Tiegan draws on her ongoing training in krump, actively integrating its essence and storytelling into her movement language. She continues to collaborate with both emerging and established artists, including training with Birdgang Ltd, and maintains an ongoing commitment to charitable initiatives which informs her performance work. 

Jevan Howard - Jones

Jevan is a multidisciplinary artist and choreographer whose roots in house, hip hop, and contemporary dance inform a unique fusion of styles in his work. His creativity extends from working on theatrical productions both on and off West End to his involvement in the choreography and freestyle scene. He has performed and taught extensively in the UK and internationally, and has touched stages such as Juste Debout and SDF. His practice is a continuous exploration of movement and community, driven by a lifelong passion for music.

Mentors

Jonzi D

Is an MC, dancer, spoken word artist and director, he is the foremost advocate for hip hop who has changed the profile and influenced the development of the UK British hip hop dance and theatre scene over the last two decades.

Since founding Breakin’ Convention in 2004 Jonzi has triumphed in raising the profile and giving a platform to hip hop disciplines, which has gained worldwide recognition as being at the vanguard of the development of the art form. Through professional development projects Open Art Surgery and Back to the Lab, Jonzi has supported hundreds of hip hop dance and rap/poetry artists on their journey to creating theatre.

Since founding Breakin’ Convention in 2004 Jonzi has triumphed in raising the profile and giving a platform to hip hop disciplines, which has gained worldwide recognition as being at the vanguard of the development of the art form. Through professional development projects Open Art Surgery and Back to the Lab, Jonzi has supported hundreds of hip hop dance and rap/poetry artists on their journey to creating theatre.

Anthony Ekundayo Lennon

Anthony is a director, dramaturg, and educator who began his career as an actor, training at Weekend Arts College, Old Vic/Lyric Youth Theatres, and Double Edge before working with a range of theatre companies across the UK.

He later transitioned into directing, serving as a staff director at the National Theatre and assisting productions at major venues including the Royal Court Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. As Associate Director at Talawa Theatre Company, he completed artistic director training while working on large-scale productions, later directing the sell-out Hatch and a reimagined Othello at Birmingham Hippodrome.

His career includes assistant directing alongside Debbie Allen and Iqbal Khan, and dramaturgical work with Ivan Michael Blackstock. Anthony is also a leading mentor for Breakin' Convention and has directed and taught across institutions including Arts Educational Schools London and programmes connected to Sadler’s Wells.

Alongside his directing work, he regularly facilitates workshops and speaks on race, identity, culture, and authentic human connection, continuing to develop interdisciplinary projects across theatre, music, and performance.

Mo ‘Sean

Mo'Sean is a multi-disciplined artist with over 4 decades of performing experience. Part of the first Generation of UK Bboys , he has studied, acting, clowning, physical theatre, mime, dance, capoeira, mask work and magic and the healing arts. He has worked in film and theatre and with such luminaries as Stomp, Punch Drunk, Secret Cinema, Folkdance Remixed and many others. He is very honored to be asked back to help mentor at Open Art Surgery, helping younger generations to hone and shape their unique skills, vision and a deeper understanding of performance art in the context of Hip Hop theatre. 

What is Open Art Surgery