The Members

UK Arts International (UK)- www.ukarts.com
UK Arts International has extensive experience of working in Africa and the Diaspora, having presented productions of all scales from Uganda, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Haiti, US and Jamaica. The company has also built a strong reputation for working with UK based culturally diverse companies and connecting them with relevant organisations in Africa.

University of the Arts, London - Wimbledon College (UK)– http://www.wimbledon.arts.ac.uk/
Wimbledon College of Arts has a long history of collaborating with artists in Africa and will be involved in the evaluation of the role and function of the Consortium within the wider contextual framework of global cultural exchange, as well as bringing together designers, performers and directors from the UK and Africa. 

Visiting Arts (UK)– www.visitingarts.org.uk
Visiting Arts, with its long history of connecting artists in the UK with those overseas, will be instrumental in setting up international visits and in identifying producers and managers in Africa for placements with UK organisations.

Independent Theatre Council (UK)– www.itc-arts.org
As the leading training organisation for the industry, ITC will work with the Consortium on developing a programme of workshops and seminars that will increase the members’ expertise in presenting work from Africa and in building meaningful collaborations.

Action Transport (UK)- www.actiontransporttheatre.co.uk
Action Transport is a new writing theatre company creating plays for, by and with young people, and founded on the belief that the ideas and experiences of children and young people must be at the heart of the British theatre culture. Action Transport works in close partnership with the Vulavulani Theatre Company in South Africa, which strives to make arts accessible to all learners despite their social or economical status by bringing arts activities to their schools. Based on equality, and in addition to the provision of mutual professional support, the partnership's main purpose is to create productions that are both a celebration of the diversity of our cultures and a testament to our common humanity.

The Anvil, Basingstoke (UK)- www.theanvil.org.uk
The Anvil is the finest concert hall in the south of England. Opened in 1994, its 1,400 seat main auditorium is renowned for the quality of its acoustics, and the programme ranges from orchestras to world music. There is also a small auditorium, The Forge, which hosts a diverse programme of live music, and an active community and education programme.
From September 2007, The Anvil Trust will take on responsibility for the 400-seat Haymarket Theatre, programming drama and dance for a varied audience.

Black Arts Alliance (UK)- www.blackartists.org.uk
Black Arts Alliance is a national members’ network committed to the development of arts and artists of Black cultural communities through advocacy, training and events. It aims to:
• Achieve creative equality for Black artists
• Enhance the intrinsic value of the work of Black artists
• Widen the impact of the work of Black artists
• Conserve, understand and interpret the traditional roots of Black artists in order to inform their contemporary practice.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre (UK)- www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Since being founded in 1913, Birmingham Repertory Theatre has been a leading national company. It has introduced a range of new and foreign plays to the British
theatre repertoire, and has been a springboard for many internationally acclaimed actors, designers and directors.

company of angels (UK)- www.companyofangels-uk.org

company of angels fosters and produces new and experimental theatre for young audiences, both by producing shows and by initiating innovative projects that directly involve young people.

Hall for Cornwall (UK)- www.hallforcornwall.co.uk
Hall for Cornwall attracts just close to 180,000 theatre-goers each year. The theatre has hosted companies such as Rambert Dance Company and The Royal Shakespeare Company as well as a wide range of entertainers from Bill Wyman and Mike Reid to Coldplay and Wheatus.

The Hawth, Crawley (UK)- www.hawth.co.uk
The Hawth Theatre is one of the south's liveliest arts venues playing host to an exciting and diverse mix of theatre, dance, music, comedy, concerts, film and visual arts.

Gusto Arts Management & Consultancy (UK)- www.gusto.uk.com
Directed by Jonathan Goodacre, Gusto Arts Management and Consultancy provides project management, advice and training for clients in the arts sector, specialising in audience development and with a particular interest in international work.

The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich (UK) - www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
The New Wolsey Theatre was established in 2000, presenting high quality, diverse and accessible work, The New Wolsey has emerged as a national leader recognized for the diversity of its audiences; for engaging with a broad cross-section of theatre-going and non-theatre-going communities; for nurturing and developing Black and Minority Ethnic artists; and for its style of actor/musician productions - from Sondheim to rock ‘n’ roll pantomime.

Within its eclectic programme of own-produced and touring work, The New Wolsey also co-produces and collaborates with leading UK producing theatres and companies; undertakes an extensive education and outreach programme in schools and outdoor spaces; has a thriving Youth Theatre; holds regular Theatre Writing Masterclasses; and has an on-going series of activities with vulnerable adults and autistic children.
The New Wolsey also hosts an annual Pulse festival of new and emerging talent.

Nitro (UK)- www.nitro.co.uk
Nitro is Europe's oldest Black theatre company. The company is committed to encouraging, commissioning, devising and producing new music theatre by Black British writers and seeks to produce and tour dynamic and innovative work that expresses the aspirations, cultures and issues that concern Black people today.

Punch (UK)- www.punch-records.co.uk
Punch is a dynamic artist led organisation, known throughout the UK as a promoter, producer, marketing agency and highly acclaimed education organisation. As well as a range of projects targeted at young people, Punch also commissions and produces work in a range of art forms including theatre, dance, spoken word, music, visual arts and film. In addition to this they deliver a variety of marketing services and organise bespoke events and seminars such as the BASS Festival (a month-long festival celebrating the best of the streets, featuring workshops, master classes, artist lounges and film screenings).

Salisbury International Arts Festival (UK)- www.salisburyfestival.co.uk
Celebrating over 35 years of presenting music, film, literature dance, visual arts, circus, theatre and opera in unique locations in and around Salisbury.
The Salisbury International Arts Festival offers local audiences and visitors the opportunity to engage with and enjoy world-class artistic events. We hope to surprise, challenge, involve and entertain people and increase understanding and appreciation for the arts, other cultures and the environment. In 2008, the festival will have a particular cultural focus on Africa.

Serious (UK)- www.serious.org.uk
Serious is one of the UK’s leading producers of live jazz, world and new music. Working with partners at home and internationally, we have helped to change the landscape for contemporary non-classical music in the UK. We act as a catalyst, creating the conditions in which people can be inspired, as artists, as members of the audience or as individuals within the wider community.

Theatre Royal Stratford East (UK)- www.stratfordeast.com
Theatre Royal Stratford East works to discover and develop new talent and new audiences by producing new work which draws from and reflects the talent, concerns and dreams of its local communities; attracting audiences to the work from all sections of the local population and further afield; and leading in the development of shows which reflect both specific ethnic identity and multiculturalism.

Woking Dance Festival (UK)- www.wokingdancefestival.co.uk

Woking Dance Festival presents and develops dance in major festivals, seasons and special projects.

Rasa (UK)- www.rasatheatre.co.uk

South Asian :: New Writing :: Narrative Drama
Based in Manchester, Rasa produce exciting and heart warming stories that unite both South Asian and Western theatre to create a dynamic relationship between performer and audience. Through new narrative drama, the company explores complex cultural and social issues showing that every personal story, cultural ritual or unfamiliar history has universal resonance.

Rasa is a noun meaning emotion in Sanskrit, essence in Tamil, and taste or feeling in Malay. Each language reflects the cultural background of Rani Moorthy.

Formed in 2000 by writer/performer Rani Moorthy and producer Ed Higginson,
Rasa have produced Rani’s play’s Pooja, Manchester United and the Malay Warrior, Dancing Within Walls, Curry Tales, Too Close To Home and most recently Shades of Brown. Curry Tales was revived in January 2008 for a run at The Market Theatre, Johannesburg, and will tour further in the region.

Gyenyame for Performing Arts (UK)- www.gyenyame.org.uk

In 1998, Gyenyame for Performing Arts, was Founded by Larry Coke to commission and produce African and Caribbean opera and dance productions of the highest professional standards. Gyenyame's aims are:

• To bring together writers, composers, performers and technicians new to opera and dance, to collaborate with professionals of proven experience, to produce new and exciting original work. To produce original works giving a voice to emerging talent, particularly those from a black and minority ethnic background
• To bring new multicultural audiences to opera by creating productions which appeal especially to young. ... black and minority ethnic audiences.
• To establish an integrated programme for the training and development of a wide-ranging, extended group of artists of all ages and from many cultures to explore the art of composing and choreography and ultimately to create new small and full-scale productions.
• To provide educational and participatory opportunities to young people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Black Curtain Theatre Movement (S.Africa) www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5055814258

Black Curtain Theatre Movement is a theatre company, set up in 2007 and based in Parkwood, Johannesburg, South Africa. It is aptly named a movement, because we believe theatre needs to move with the times and theatre needs to move to the audience, and not the other way around. We also realise the value in growing one’s audience. Although an interesting challenge, we have managed, through speaking in their language, to draw first-time theatregoers to our productions.
Kgauhelo Dube is the co-founder of black curtain theatre movement and heads up the production department. Kgauhelo aspires to cracking the “theatre audience conundrum”. She believes although it’s important for thespians to be targeted, it’s more important for theatre audiences to start representing the demographic that represents the majority of the South African population.
“ It’s time that brands started flexing their muscle to draw the average South African into the arts, specifically theatre”
Coming from a strong brand strategy and research background within the advertising industry, Kgauhelo brings an interesting skills complement to theatre
Lulama Masimini creative mover - “ I am an agent of change.”
Lulama studied and obtained his Honours degree in theatre making from UCT drama school. He has travelled the world as a cast member of many acclaimed productions such as Woza Albert, Big Dada, Medea, Ondestebo, Nguni- A love story to name a few… He is currently lecturing in Performance at the University of Witwatersrand.
Born in King William’s Town in the 70’s and growing up in the 80’s and 90’s he witnessed a lot of change. He experienced varied spaces, the ghetto, a village, towns and cities and because of this he is fascinated by the stories of people within varied contexts. He believes he’s always tried to locate himself within these stories.
In all these experiences – apart from outreach initiatives, he noted that people always went to the theatre and not the theatre makers to the people. Hence, his passion as the creative head of black curtain theatre movement to take theatre to the people

Supreme Performing Arts Theatre - SPAT (Lesotho) http://www.linkedin.com/in/spatperformingartslesotho

spatarts@yahoo.com

The main objective of SPAT is to promote artists and create a performing arts industry in the country (Lesotho) in order to eradicate poverty. We are arts in development organization that gives basic training to up-coming artists and coordinate resources for them where ever possible. We create projects and campaigns as a mission to empower and breathe life into our performing arts industry.

I have realized that in order to make my organization successful I will need to network with other artists across the world. I believe all the people who take a step forward in what they see as dream will not stop dreaming till the fulfilment day, because if one dreams he/she is called to wake up and make that dream be. To do that SPAT is seeking for partnerships.

Associação Cultural Tambo Tambulani Tambo (Mozambique) www.tambo.nl

The Cultural Association Tambo Tambulani Tambo was founded in 1995 in Pemba, Northern Mozambique to promote art and culture as a major role player in society. We are doing it through own productions of drama, music, dance where traditional art expressions and culture are incorporated into modern settings and preserved for the future giving children, youth and adults a possibility to develop through art as well as organizing cultural events and advocacy through public debate.

Our work aims at promoting cultural heritage through intercultural exchange to make people aware of the importance of art for creating societies of joy, innovative thinking, creativity, cultural understanding, knowledge and as a result sound developments.

At Tambo we have over the years created events to gather local artists but we feel it is necessary also to have non-local artists taking part to have more inspirational inputs and promote art and cultural exchange to promote open-mindedness, tolerance, understanding and creativity across cultural backgrounds.

Our aim for events like our art camp is to create a platform for this to happen and artistically relations across borders can be born for the betterment of artists and more open, creative and innovative societies.

Nanzikambe Arts: Culture in Motion(Malawi) www.nanzikambe.org

Nanzikambe Arts is an ward-winning NGO, and the leading arts-based development organization in Malawi. The organisation’s work encompasses two main areas: using theatre for education, development and social change and producing innovative touring theatre of contemporary relevance for Malawian and international audiences.

Established in 2003, and based in Sunnyside, Blantyre with 16 full time staff, Nanzikambe’s theatre making practise has encompassed devised work on issues of contemporary relevance, adaptations of classics, training and the development of performance art in Malawi – including a production exploring the legal and political implications of the food crisis which hit Malawi in 2002 and 40,000 people died. This toured the country and engaged leaders and donors in key questions.

Currently Nanzikambe produces the following: an annual Freedom Day Parade with street performances and enormous puppet spectacle; Democracy on Trial – a national theatre programme with community activity and interactive touring production Accidental Death of Democracy; Theatre adaptation of African Classics; an ongoing interactive HIV and AIDS Programme with monthly forum theatre workshops in 8 districts and interactive radio programme; annual performance-led Cultural Seminars; Cross-cultural collaboration with Zimbabwean, South African and British groups, Theatre for Justice in Malawi’s prisons and communities; Theatre for decision makers programme, and ongoing training in the use of theatre for development.

Nanzikambe’s funding partners include: The Royal Norwegian Embassy, British Council, Malawi BRIDGE, Art Venture, UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, GTZ, HIVOS, Prince Claus Fund, Commonwealth Foundation.

Assitej SA (South Africa) www.acyta.co.za

Assitej SA is a network organisation for all individuals, organisations and companies that work in the area of theatre for children and young people. The organisation promotes exchanges, touring, festivals, workshops, forums, collaborations nationally, continentally and internationally.
Assitej South Africa wants to ensure that its members are profiled both across the continent and the world. As a chapter within ACYTA, we are looking for opportunities to finance exchanges, professional development, collaborative productions etc between South Africa and other African countries, and between SA and the rest of the world. ACYTA is already a powerful African-based network and there are numerous organisations within the network, which could benefit from access to touring outside of Africa, within Africa and from exchanges of various kinds. We feel that we have something important to contribute to Africa Consortium, particularly as our focus on theatre for children and young people is a unique and crucial one. Intercultural exchange is at the heart of both ACYTA, and Africa Consortium, so it would seem that we share goals, interests and priorities.

Mashirika Creative and Performing Arts Group (Rwanda)

mashirikak@yahoo.co

Mashirika is a pioneering Rwandan youth theatre company consisting of survivors and refugees from the Rwandan genocide. Mashirika were invited to perform their play, Rwanda My Hope at the G8 Gleneagles Summit, as well as at the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide in Kigali, and have performed throughout the UK. Mashirika is a professional company, based in Rwanda, which is constantly exploring new ways to develop, to learn and to create exciting theatre. We bring together passions, fashions. moods. moves, sounds, networks, anger, forms, styles, challenges, engagement, words, rhythms, visions and visuals in our theatre. And we are always ready to add new things to the mix.
Mashirika was started by students of music, dance and drama at Makerere University Kampala in July 1997. Hope Azeda was a founding member and, after moving to Rwanda in 1998, she established Mashirika there permanently. Mashirika has a total of 20 actors of varying ages. Mashirika were invited to perform their play,”Rwanda My Hope” at the G8 at Gleneagles Summit in front of world leaders, and at the 10th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide in Kigali.

The performance “Africa’s Hope”, which will tour to the UK in Autumn 2008, tells the story of the Rwandan genocide, it’s aftermath and Rwanda’s road towards a hopeful future.

For more information about the company and the 2008 tour contact mashirika@aegistrust.org

and visit http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/springboard/incoming/08jan_mashirika.html

Eckhard Thiemann (UK) eckhard@eckhardthiemann.com

Eckhard Thiemann is an independent dance and arts manager. Formerly director of Woking Dance Festival, he initiated the Dance Dialogues programme, which enables residencies, performances, collaborations and networking opportunities with artists from Africa and the Middle East. Eckhard still manages the Dance Dialogues for Woking Dance Festival. The programme so far featured artists from Kenya, Senegal, and Tunisia, as well as programming artists from South Africa. Eckhard is also working with the Attakkalari Biennial in Bangalore on a performance and exchange programme between India and Africa in February 2009. Eckhard was previously Performing Arts Officer for London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and Year of the Artist Coordinator for Arts Council England South East, as well as undertaking international freelance projects. He was awarded an International Placement for Cultural Entrepreneurs by the Cultural Leadership Programme, which allowed him to spend three months in South Africa and Nigeria, working with visual arts organisations on policy development and business planning.

Attanas Ruvengo (South Africa) attanasr@yahoo.co.uk

Attanas Ruvengo is a full-time artist working in choreography, music composition, theatre ,dance ,drumming acting as well as being a voice over artist. For the past ten years he has taught at the University of Zimbabwe under the Theatre Arts department as a dance instructor. Furthermore he has become an Independent project study advisor for visiting exchange students from America based at the University of Zimbabwe. In addition he has also participated in different arts festivals regionally and locally working with different Non Governmental Organisations, Schools and Colleges.etc

Currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Attanas wants to make more international arts connections in order to share his experience as an artist.
"I believe that a shared goal is a shared vision. Information is power, if we share ideas we succeed"

To join the Africa Consortium please register here.