Aku Kadogo

Aku Kadogo, born Karen Vest, is a choreographer, director, actress, and educator. She was one of the original cast members of Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf, and acted in the 1990s Australian children's television series Lift Off. She has educated and performed in Australia, Senegal, Cuba, Brazil, and Hong Kong, and South Korea.

Early life and education Born Karen Vest, Aku Kadogo grew up in Detroit, Michigan. Her parents, Don and Hilda Vest, were activists and performers.

Kadogo attended New York University (NYU) from 1972 to 1976 upon graduating from high school.

Career Kadogo has educated and performed in Australia, Senegal, Cuba, Brazil, and Hong Kong, and South Korea. before touring to Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville, Cairns, and Brisbane. Kadogo and the other original cast featured in the show, while it was directed by Oz Scott. After its last performance, Kadogo decided to remain in Australia, after falling in love with an Australian, and lived there for about 20 years.

In Australia, Kadogo took the role of artistic director at the Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney in the 1990s, worked with Aboriginal dancers, and directed a number of significant works. which was also performed at South Pacific Festival in Noumea, New Caledonia.

Kadogo directed a production of techno-choreopoem Salt City, based on the choreopoem by Jessica Care Moore, which "celebrates Black culture in Detroit: the African-American presence in the city [and] techno-music that was pioneered by African-American men straight out of the Detroit Metropolitan Area". It was staged in 2017 and 2019.

Television Kadogo played Snap Jordan in the 1990s Australian children's television series Lift Off.

Kadogo has developed a teaching philosophy called "rhythm science." Created during her time in Australia, it argues the similarity of musical breaks across all musical genres. She created the technique to help her students better understand rhythm and movement.