Talawa Theatre Company begins its 31st year with a sustained response to the needs of black artists.
Make is a UK-wide community of black artists that provides support at each stage of a black artist's career.
Gail Babb, Talawa Producer for Participation and Learning, said, "diversity projects tend to be just that—projects—and, as a quick fix approach, they are not building an infrastructure. What we need is sustained engagement that provides artists with a pathway into the industry, and the footholds to keep them there."
Talawa is the UK's primary black-led touring theatre company. Make will aim to reach new people who are not currently engaged with Talawa or with the theatre, providing opportunities for artists to develop their skills and generate new work, and it will create the space for artists to take risks and build a lasting network and provide advice and support to ensure Black artists thrive in the industry.
The project is supported by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and is working with partners Royal Exchange Theatre, Camden People's Theatre, Voyage Youth and Sustained Theatre Up North.