Talawa Podcast
We're collaborating with Creative Coffee Break to create a series of podcasts. These podcasts will share a flavour of what makes the artists we work with tick. If you've ever wondered what motivates people to create work, what the process involves, and how creative ideas come into being, then this is for you.
For us, theatre is about people and their stories.
In this first episode we discussed the experiences of four of the artists and theatre-makers who worked with us on Talawa Firsts 2017: babirye bukilwa; Christian Graham; Shanelle Fergus, and Gaby Nimmo.
About Talawa Firsts: Talawa Firsts kick starts the careers of exciting writers, directors and theatre makers.
Each year, Talawa Firsts brings together a community of artists and gives them a space to meet, spark off ideas, build networks and become the next generation to shape British Theatre.
Each of these artists has gone on a journey with Talawa. They sent in a script, invited us to see their show, or applied for our Studio Firsts programme.
We helped them to draw out the stories they wanted to tell.
Challenged them.
Encouraged them.
Provided them with space, resources, the opportunity to get it wrong, and plenty of tea and biscuits …
Talawa Firsts offers a taste of the artists we are most excited about here at Talawa. We hope you enjoy listening to them talk about their work as much as we do in this podcast.
Talawa's Mission:
Talawa is the UK’s primary Black led touring theatre company. Our work is informed by the wealth and diversity of the Black British experience, and through that we create outstanding work by cultivating the best in emerging and established Black artists. We invest in talent, develop audiences and inspire dialogue with and within communities across the UK and internationally. By doing so, we enrich the cultural life of all.
In addition to its productions the Company broadens the spectrum of work created by Black British artists by commissioning new writing, and the development of ideas through seed commissions.
These programmes fall under Talawa’s MAKE initiative: A UK wide community of Black theatre makers empowered to create their own path through a range of development activity.
Talawa MAKE activity includes:
- Talawa Firsts, an annual Festival showcasing new plays and work by Black writers and theatre makers
- TYPT, our annual summer school for new and emerging theatre makers
- Outreach activities, including bespoke or curriculum based workshops for all ages and abilities, which are artistic or related to participants' personal and social development
- Talawa boosts the writing skills of emerging and established writers, strengthening and ensuring their career growth and position within the industry, through initiatives such as its Script Reading Service, Talawa Writers’ Programme, script development, and Talawa Firsts
MAKE is supported by the Esmée Fairbain Foundation