artistic director leadership programme spring 2017 “why keep going to the theatre if you seldom see yourself reflected there? Lyn Gardner, The Guardian 2014 !1 …gorgeous who we are theatre from a truly diverse company” Lenny Henry OBE tiata fahodzi (tee-ah-ta fa-hoon-zi) – a theatre company for Britain today and the Britain of tomorrow. tiata fahodzi was founded in 1997 by actor and director Femi Elufowoju Jnr. to tell stories about the African diaspora experience and to bring the richness and heritage of African theatre traditions to theatre-making here in the UK. Under his artistic directorship, the company sought to establish itself – project by project – through productions of contemporary texts by African writers, presented in London and sometimes regionally, offering a window into the West African experience – both back home and as immigrants to the UK. In 2010, actor Lucian Msamati became the company’s second Artistic Director. Earlier productions had told stories of emigration and diaspora (tickets and ties), and under Msamati the company’s work began to reflect on the relationship Britain and British Africans have with Africa. In late 2014, director Natalie Ibu took over as Artistic Director, and under her directorship we set ourselves to explore the mixed, multiple, multi- generational experience of what it is to be of African heritage in Britain today. In Natalie’s tenure, we continue to reflect the changing and developing diaspora with a particular interest in the dual and the in-between, in those who straddle worlds, cultures, languages, classes, heritages, races and struggles. It’s in this – the messy, the multiple and the complicated identity politics – that tiata fahodzi sits, acknowledging that our audiences are more complex and contrasting than ever. Our work starts with the contemporary British African experience but reaches beyond to ask us all, what does it mean to live here today? tiata fahodzi is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and a creative associate of Watford Palace Theatre – a 21st century producing theatre, making new work across the art forms of theatre, dance, outdoor arts and digital, and developing audiences, artists and communities through exciting opportunities to participate. !2 vision Contemporary Britain is a multiple society – rich with languages, races, cultures and identities. This diversity is unremarkable and normal, and a growing dimension of all our lives. Art and culture offer both a mirror to see ourselves and a window to see through to worlds unlike our own. However, theatre – as with so many areas of our curated mainstream culture – still fails to see so many people, experiences and identities in this multiple world. We want to see a cultural ecology in Britain where everyone feels invited and welcome to participate. A culture where all experiences – including the contemporary African heritage experience – are celebrated so that we get to see ourselves in our full complexity, where shortcuts fail to function, and where theatre offers understanding, and feels relevant to the lives we live.# mission To play our part in generating a richer, more multiple mainstream theatre culture by championing stories that illuminate the mixed, multiple experience of what it is to be of African heritage in Britain today so that – in our contemporary, changing society – the African diaspora experience provides a lens for us all to see our lives. aims • To play a part in enabling theatre as an art form to generate much-needed new work, bold in form and ambition, that expresses, illuminates and engages the multiple African heritage experience – essential to theatre’s continuing relevance to the changing society of which we are all part. • Within an inclusive welcome, to open up new ways to engage under-represented and under-served African heritage audiences, activated through the work we make and the relationships we build, informed by our strong sense of the personality, rhythm and culture of their varied and intersectional lives. • To open up talent pathways and workforce development, principally for theatre makers of African heritage, supporting artists to progress to excellence, and offering entry point, career progression, and leadership development opportunities to diversify the theatrical landscape. • To forge alliances and partnerships that enable us and our collaborators to make the best work, change practice, build our own and others’ capacity, and open up possibility for the artists and audiences we serve. • Through our work overall, to play our part in painting contemporary British life in full colour, allowing the theatre makers, audiences and wider voices with whom our work connects to enter into a conversation with themselves and each other about what it is to live here, now. values excellence Pursuit of best practice, fearless artistic ambition, handled with detail and care. multiplicity Embracing the multiple, subverting the stereotypical, refusing to simplify. connection Working in relationship, responding to our context, meaningful to others. purpose Enterprising, moving with intent, creating change. welcome Inclusive practice, free from barriers, humanity and warmth.# !3 tiata fahodzi staff board of trustees archie stewart edward emilyne janice graham melton kemp mondo acquah (co-chair) (co-chair) staff freelance freelance consultants finance manager natalie ibu and arts artistic director & ceo managers freelance trainee creative team, artistic SM/PM actors director bhavini goyate administrator myah jeffers audience engagement intern !4 (to start april 2017) where we've been i know all the secrets in my world by natalie ibu national tour, spring 2016 i know… is a multi-love story about men, women, fathers and sons. This story was made by a 80% female, 60% BAME, 20% LGBTQ team. We travelled to 12 venues nationwide and met 1268 people – 23% of which were visiting our touring venues for the first time – making this the biggest tour in tiata fahodzi’s 20-year history. bricks and pieces by charlene james RADA and Latitude Festival, summer 2016 We at tiata fahodzi are committed to making sure that the fiction inspired by life is as complex and diverse as real life so we partnered with RADA to commission award-winning Charlene James to write a brand new play for 4 brand new African heritage graduates that refused to oversimplify the African diaspora and, instead, relish in the complexities and in all the different versions of being a British African, creating multiple narratives. good dog by arinzé kene national tour, spring 2017 Set in the early noughties, good dog chronicles growing up in a multicultural community, and the everyday injustices that drive people to take back control. Because even the most patient among us can’t wait forever. ̣̣̣̣ 'Natalie Ibu’s production is infused with an exhilarating urgency.’ The Stage ̣̣̣̣̣ 'good dog is theatre at its most simple and its most striking.’ The Reviews Hub 'a finely observed new play' WhatsOnStage ̣̣̣̣ !5 tiata delights tiata delights debuted in 2004 as the first ever festival of play readings by African writers resident in Britain. In 2015, it returned as a unique annual event taking over Watford Palace Theatre. Bringing together friends old and new, tiata delights offered artists and audiences a day of talks, workshops and experimentation and an evening of performances, music, food and celebration. The range and quality of artists delivering day sessions was outstanding. The peer networking opportunities and access to established artists for practical guidance and development on offer at this day was hugely helpful and is a rare opportunity here.” Jenny Batt, Participation Projects# Manager (Watford Palace Theatre) Still buzzing from Saturday evening. I can't thank you enough for giving me the chance to speak and share.” Keynote# Speaker Danny Sapani, Actor (National# Theatre, Ch4) Spending the day surrounded by BAME artists, the festival felt and looked like the future of UK theatre. Incredible talks from the legends that are Danny Sapani and Bonnie Greer instilled in me a hope for the future of a diverse theatre. The workshops galvanised me to re-start my own work and to be more than just an actor, but a theatre maker.” Aslam Percival Husain, emerging artist It was a day to rejoice for all theatre makers and future theatre makers… knowing a good company is supporting a sense of community within the arts. From sharing a couch with you (Natalie) and speaking with Gbolahan, to letting Danny know he was an inspiration of mine at 16 years old.” Panelist Daniel# Bailey, Resident Director (Birmingham Rep) Thank you once again for the enjoyable, informative and exhilarating time on Saturday. I am very inspired by all the work and stories.” Lara Rose, Leeds based# emerging writer !6 who we’ve worked with tiata fahodzi has an incredibly strong track record in showcasing new British African talent; many creatives who have gained their first experiences with us have one on to achieve at national and international level. bola agbaje was inspired to write by our production the gods are not to blame in 2005. tiata fahodzi and The Royal Court commissioned her to write belong which played at The Royal Court in 2012. Bola is now an Olivier award-winning playwright. adetomiwa edun joined our company for the tiata delights festival of new# writing at the Almeida Theatre in 2008. Adetomiwa has gained international recognition as an actor, appearing at the# National Theatre, touring with The Globe and has appeared# most recently as Sir Elyan in the TV show Merlin. jocelyn jee esien comedian, actress and writer best known for her part in the hidden-# camera show 3 Non-Blondes and her own comedy sketch show,# Little Miss Jocelyn - was a regular member of the tiata fahodzi# acting company, making her debut in bonded in 1999. Jocelyn# went on to win Best Newcomer award at the Black International Comedy Awards in 2000 and was the first black woman – in# either the US or the UK – to have her own solo comedy sketch# show.