Joshua Chinedu Ikechukwu is a Dancer, Choreographer, Playwright, Director, Percussionist, and Producer. He is trained in African, Ballroom, Caribbean social, Afro-fusion, and Hip-hop dance. 

Joshua received his BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, specializing in Choreography and Directing, and will graduate in May 2025 with an MFA in Dance degree at the University at Buffalo. He is the founder of ‘Meejay Dance Company’, a company he started back in Nigeria to tell African stories with dance, music, and dialogue, and also a co-founder of ‘Ibadan Salseroes’ a community of salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba dancers based in Nigeria.

 He is interested in creating works that establish a symbiotic relationship between the dancer and the audience with inspiration from day-to-day activities, ritual and sacred dance processions, political activism, societal values and vices, and folktales. His work calls for active audience engagement and interaction. He celebrates the joy of blending community with dance. His works include ‘Branches’, ‘Across Borders’, ‘Black Tales’, ‘Together Alone’, and ‘Zam Ekpele’ which was restaged at the 2024 ACDA Northeast Conference in Rochester and voted to close the Encore Gala Concert, among others.

Joshua is a 2023 and 2024 recipient of the Department of Dance, University at Buffalo’s MFA Inclusive Artistic Excellence Award and The University of Ibadan 2015 Best Graduating Student Choreographer Award. Joshua served alongside four other judges for the University at Buffalo International Student Fiesta competition. Also, his work was recognized at the University at Buffalo Art Research Showcase, which was sponsored by the AKG Art Museum, Buffalo, New York State.

Joshua’s interest in spreading the African theatre experience led him to write, choreograph and direct his first stage play in the United States titled “Adaobi the Village Belle” which was performed in summer 2024 at the “People’s Park” in Buffalo.