The announcement comes as the theatre company celebrates its 40th anniversary year.
In its 40th anniversary year Talawa Theatre Company has appointed Shonagh Reid as its
new chair of the board of trustees.
Formed in 1986 by visionary artists Yvonne Brewster OBE, Mona Hammond OBE, Carmen Munroe DBE and Inigo Espejel, the company was created to address the
lack of opportunities for Black actors on British stages.
Talking about the news Shonagh Reid said: “It is an incredible honour to be Chair of Talawa Theatre Company, especially in this the 40th anniversary year. To be “talawa”, is to be strong, resilient and fearless. These are characteristics that Talawa Theatre Company has in abundance and will be necessary as we face real challenges within the sector in terms of funding of the arts, cost of living pressures on audiences and societal shifts, as well as restriction on the curriculum which has stifled creativity and
the pipeline of young people into the arts. My aim is to support Talawa to lean into these
headwinds with a focus on our values and mission to produce unapologetically outstanding Black theatre, and we will do that through passion, innovation and creativity. Talawa will continue to be a safe space for Black artists to thrive and develop their careers and I’m excited to part of the work that will secure Talawa’s legacy for the next 40 years.”
Reid takes over from Elaine Banton, who steps down after six years of leadership at the helm of Talawa’s board.
Elaine Banton comments, “I am deeply honoured to have served as Chair of the Board for Talawa for the past six years, and I step down with immense pride in all we have achieved together. Founded 40 years ago by four visionary women, Talawa has long been a truly diverse home for art at a time when inclusion was neither fashionable nor widely embraced. During my tenure, the company’s growth has been rich and exponential, driven by bold storytelling, artistic excellence, and community resonance; cementing its place of leadership within the ecosystem.”
The company’s anniversary year serves not only as a celebration of its pioneering past but as a call to sustain and strengthen its future. With new leadership marking a look forward to the next four decades, Talawa is focused on future-proofing its mission and remains committed to ensuring that Black artists continue to thrive on British stages and beyond.
To find out more about what Talawa has in store visit: https://talawa.com/