Karim Tonsy is an international choreographer from Cairo, Egypt. After finishing his studies in theatre and movement at the American University in Cairo, Karim attended London Contemporary Dance School for further training in contemporary dance and choreography he began his career with the establishment of his dance company (Karim Tonsy Physical Dance), and directed his first performance in Cairo, Egypt. In the years that followed, Karim choreographed and directed over 18 dance performances and won several awards.
Karim has experience working with directors from Egypt, Italy, London, Lebanon, and most recently, Chicago. In addition, Karim has choreographed countless music videos for the biggest musicians in the Middle East. Karim has worked with notable dance companies and choreographers including Frantic Assembly in London Roberto Casarotto in Italy, and Caracalla Dance Theatre in Beirut, Lebanon.
Karim’s critical acknowledgements include: Best performance at the Cairo Experimental Theatre, Critic’s Award, and Best Achievement Award at the Cairo International Modern Dance Festival, the opening for the Alexandria International Modern Dance Festival in 2004 and 2005, choreography to honor best dance album from Egypt for the 2004 World Music Awards in Las Vegas.
Karim choreographed the Miss Egypt ceremony in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Karim also choreographed and acted in several movies and plays for international director Youssef Shahin (Silence We R Shooting), and Mohamed Sobhi (Carmen and Lebet El Set).
Since moving to Chicago to pursue additional studies in massage therapy where he wanted to “heal his dance” as he says, Karim has choreographed performances for the Silk Road Festival, Chicago Cultural Center (Gay Games), Eden? (Raven Theater) July 2007, Sharia Mohamed Ali (St Patrick Performing Arts Centre) October 2007, and Pendulum (Portage Theater) April 2008, Club (Athenaeum Theatre) February 2009. Karim is getting ready to bring on stage his 20th dance project titled reset at the Theatre Building Chicago in June 2010. Karim also danced for Joe Hall, Instruments of Movement, and in Los Angeles at the Edge Dance Center and Lulu Washington Dance Center.