This new book, edited by Simelia Hodge-Dallaway with Kwame Kwei-Armah and Olivia Poglio-Nwabali focuses on Black cultural leaders across the world.
In a succession of chapters, which cut back and forth between a variety of leaders, this book proclaims itself “the act of decolonization” in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
It is as much about developing change and reaching diverse audiences as it is overcoming ‘imposter syndrome’ and potential tokenism.
Although I found the structure a little disjointed, Decolonizing The Theatre Space proves to be an interesting read that is particularly useful when considering institutions in the USA and Africa.
Set up in a way that allows you to dip in at any point, this book also includes a number of inspirational quotes from additional artistic and executive directors not fully interviewed.
There is a lot of drive and positivity on display here (being ‘a warrior’, ‘the first’, going up against funders, and ‘white theatre’) while recognising there is sometimes quite a hill to climb.
Hodge-Dallaway and Kwei-Armah have created these ‘conversations’ with pertinent and perceptive questions, which give the interviews an energetic yet realistic feel.
It’s about getting to the top, dealing with money and its expectations, engaging with others, and caring for yourself and your team. This makes this book a potentially useful business text outside the theatre space.
However, with so much change happening in theatre post-pandemic, including the opportunities for shows from and for the global majority, Decolonizing The Theatre Space should be on your bookshelves in 2024.
Decolonizing The Theatre Space is published by Bloomsbury’s Methuen Drama imprint and is available in stockists now.