About

Ishmael Laryea Konney

Ishmael is an interdisciplinary Ghanaian artist hailing from La, a prominent town in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. His artistic journey began with an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Education, Winneba. He was recruited to the United States, where he pursued his academic goals further, earning an M.A. in International Studies from Ohio University, as well as an MFA in Dance with an Interdisciplinary Specialization in Fine Arts from The Ohio State University. Currently, Ishmael holds the position of Assistant Professor of Dance at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Additionally, he contributes his expertise as a Dance Faculty member for the prestigious Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts. Ishmael served as a valued board member for OhioDance, where he actively participated in the Governance committee. Before moving to the United States, Ishmael honed his craft with the National Dance Company of Ghana at the National Theatre of Ghana. His research interests center on the promotion of Ghanaian cultural values, with a keen focus on exploring the intricate relationship and intersectionality between performance and traditional Ghanaian cultural practices. Currently, his artistic pursuits delve into the fusion of traditional Ghanaian storytelling with contemporary dance forms, aiming to create immersive communal experiences that celebrate Ghanaian heritage and identity. Ishmael has performed at renowned venues including, Sadler’s Wells Theatre (London- UK), Lincoln Theatre (Columbus, OH) National Theatre of Ghana, National Conference Center, and Alliance Français (Accra- Ghana).

Additionally, he creates work that is inspired by movement investigation and translation from one state to the other.