Kuik Swee-boon

M1 Contact Contemporary Dance Festival Singapore

Founder and Artistic Director of T.H.E Dance Company and the M1 CONTACT Contemporary Dance Festival, Kuik Swee Boon was born in southern Malaysia, Batu Pahat. He was the first Asian principal male dancer with Spain’s Compañía Nacional de Danza (CND) from 2002 to 2007. During his career with the CND, he worked mainly with Nacho Duato as well as renowned choreographers including Jiří Kylián, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin and Wim Vandekeybus. Prior to joining the CND, he began his dance career in 1990 with the Singapore People’s Association Dance Company and Singapore Dance Theatre. Kuik’s exceptional artistry led him to receive a nomination in 2003 for the Benois De La Danse Award. In 2007, he was awarded the Young Artist Award from the National Arts Council of Singapore. He founded T.H.E Dance Company in September 2008. Since its establishment, T.H.E has quickly ascended to become a well-known company locally and in Asia. His critically acclaimed works include Silence (2007) and As It Fades (2011), both performances recognised as amongst the best of shows in their respective years. Kuik’s works have also toured to prestigious international festivals, including festival-closing performances at the Les Hivernales festival (2012) in Avignon, France.