About us
Far From The Norm is a pioneering Black British–led Hip Hop dance theatre company creating artistically daring, socially resonant work.
Established in 2009 in a youth club in Dagenham (East London), Far From The Norm was founded by Artistic Director Botis Seva at just 19 years old.
From the beginning, the company has been a collective of artists renowned for experimenting with Hip Hop dance and driven by a desire to move, think and create differently from what was considered the norm: hence our name..
Far From The Norm has grown into a collective celebrated for blending Hip Hop and Contemporary practice with striking visual storytelling. Our work deconstructs street dance vocabularies, challenges perceptions of Hip Hop and amplifies marginalised voices, offering audiences visceral journeys through personal and societal reckonings.
Far From The Norm is supported by
“SEVA HAS CEMENTED HIMSELF AS A HEAVYWEIGHT IN THE UK’S THEATRE DANCE WORLD.”
As proud outliers within the dance landscape, we continue to push the artform forward, shaping the evolution of Hip Hop dance theatre in the UK and beyond. Our portfolio spans live performances, outdoor shows, film and immersive experiences, as well as youth work and artist development, each rooted in an outsider ethos that seeks to create space for those who feel unseen.
Far From The Norm tours nationally and internationally, building strong global partnerships that support and inspire the next generation of Hip Hop dance theatre artists. With extensive experience leading workshops across multiple countries and continents, and delivering robust artist development programmes, we remain committed to nurturing talent and widening access to Hip Hop dance theatre worldwide.
“I PAY TRIBUTE TO ALL THE DANCERS – THEY DESERVE A MEDAL.”
OUR VALUES
Drive
We are hard workers because the work is hard. We know striving for success is messy and so we look to, lean on and learn from those around us to help push forward.
Togetherness
We recognise the importance of collective action and connection. We firmly believe we are stronger together.
Explorers
We do not sit still. We grow, we learn, we venture, disrupt and explore new ways and spaces for us and our community to be in. We are proudly ‘unnormal’ and will never fit easily into any single category.
“THIS IS INTERPRETATIVE DANCE OF A CALIBRE RARELY SEEN. THEATRICAL EXCELLENCE TO BE APPRECIATED AND SAVOURED. VISCERAL, POWERFUL, EXPRESSIVE”
OUR PHILOSOPHY OF CARE
Care at Far From The Norm is not a slogan - it’s a practice. It’s how we show up, how we move, how we hold space for each other in the studio, on the road, and in the communities, we work with. Care is part of our discipline. It’s part of our craft.
We honour the physical, emotional, and mental demands of our work. We listen. We communicate. We respect boundaries - our own and each other’s. And when something needs specialist support, we signpost with clarity and compassion.
Our care is active. It’s lived. It adapts. It includes everyone in the room. And it’s not one-way. Care is a shared exchange. We invite our partners, collaborators, and communities to meet us in this practice - to bring the same respect, openness, and accountability that we bring to them. Together, we build environments where people can move freely, work honestly, and create at their highest level.
This is care, the FFTN way: grounded, collective, and built through action.