From its very first production under the leadership of Yvonne Brewster of CLR James' seminal work The Black Jacobins in 1986 to the critically acclaimed staging of Michael Bhim's Pure Gold in 2007, Talawa Theatre Company has served as a cultural bridge between Black and non-Black audiences through its collaborative programme of award-winning plays, British theatre classics and experimental work by Black writers and performers. The company has presented and co-produced over 40 productions, with a range of regional and national touring theatre companies; Theatre Royal Stratford East, Royal Court, The Everyman Theatre, Liverpool, Tricycle, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and featured many of Britain's finest Black actors; Mona Hammond, David Harewood, Diane Parish, Ellen Thomas, Angela Wynter.

Over the past three years, the company has seen an exceptional level of artistic achievement under the visionary and creative management of its Artistic Directors. Paulette Randall (2003-2005) questioned the authenticity of 'Britishness' and identity in her thought-provoking Talawa debut Urban Afro Saxons. Under the direction of Ben Thomas, the company presented its first 'sell-out' play-reading series Unzipped.

Now in its 22nd year, the company has made further progress under Jamaican born playwright Patricia Cumper, as artistic director. Patricia, who is the author of the award-winning series One Bright Child and adaptor of the award winning Small Island for Radio 4, has shaped an ambitious programme of change and renewal to further promote and develop the company's role within the Black and wider theatre sectors.

With your support, Talawa can provide a diverse range of programmes, events and career development aimed developing Black audiences, audiences for Black work and nurturing the development of Black theatre practitioners. Our commitment to sharing the creative processes behind our artistic work has proved invaluable in developing and enriching Black theatre audiences across the UK. Your support can be at the centre of our success. We are proud to have private individuals and supporters and continue to seek individual gifts to help make our work possible.