Bawren Tavaziva

Bawren Tavaziva was born in a rural village in Zimbabwe. As Bawren reached his teens he was drawn to a dance programme that targeted talented under-privileged youngsters. Classes were given in the townships in contemporary dance, traditional dance, and ballet, and Bawren was soon selected to join extra classes for the most talented.

At 18, Bawren became an apprentice for Tumbuka Dance Company, touring Africa and Europe for five years. In 1998, he moved to the UK, where he performed with Phoenix Dance, Union Dance Company, Jazzxchange, Carol Brown and Sakoba Dance Theatre.

In 2004, Bawren’s choreography was selected as one of five finalists in the UK’s prestigious Place Prize, and as a result of this choreographic success, Bawren formed Tavaziva Dance in the same year.

The Company’s celebrated productions include: Greed (2025 & 2013);  Requiem (2025);  BOY’S KHAYA (2021 - 23);  Izindava (2017 - 19);  Africarmen (2015 - 17);  Tavaziva Ten (2014);  Sensual Africa (2012);  Wild Dog (2010);  Heart of Darkness (2009);  Chatsva (2007);  Bophelo (2006);  and Soul Inspired (2005).

In 2017, Bawren was commissioned by Rambert to create Mud Child alongside Polka Theatre’s Artistic Director Pete Glanville, and in 2018 he choreographed Ending the Silence by Euton Daley. Bawren was also a Shona dance consultant for the Young Vic Theatre’s The Convert.