Talawa
Michael Buffong is the Artistic Director of Talawa, the UK's outstanding Black theatre company. Under his tenure, the organisation has undergone a huge transformation and is one of the most successful companies in the country.
Over the past few years, Talawa has attracted funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, the BBC, Martin Bowley and Channel 4. Talawa was one of the few NPOs to receive a significant uplift from the Arts Council in 2022.
Talawa Firsts, the new writing festival he set up in 2012, is now an annual industry fixture, and has helped many writers including Theresa Ikoko, Nicole Lecky, Arinze Kene and Archie Maddocks develop their careers. Consequently, the company has developed a body of successful new work.
He has also expanded the company's reach to include radio drama, with its own series - Talawa Stories on BBC Radio 4.
Talawa productions include:
Super Hoe
by Nicole Lecky/dir Jade Lewis
Girls
By Theresa Ikoko/dir Jade Lewis
The Tide
co-created/dir Jade Hackett/Ryan Calais Cameron
Run it Back
co-created/dir Coral Messam/Gail Babb