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BLACK THEATRE PRACTITIONERS: Kwame Kwei-Armah has been praised for his work in the arts

NOMINATIONS ARE open for The Black British Theatre Awards (BBTA) through to August 2.

The event was set up by Solange Urdang and Omar Okai to celebrate and recognise black British talent in theatre and the arts across the UK.

“We have seen shows like Hamilton and Nine Night and people such as Kwame Kwei-Armah get recognition, so it is getting there,” said Urdang.

“But visibility is vital to progress further and the British Black Theatre Awards is a positive and exciting way to illuminate this incredible black talent,” added director Okai.

Nominations must be for productions between the August 1, 2018 - August 1 2019. All nominated artists and work must have been staged in a theatre as affiliate members of the society of London Theatre.

Nominations for the following categories, are now being encouraged: body of work, creatives group, plays, musicals, achievement awards.

Despite there been a plethora of theatrical awards, the BBTA will be the only event which focuses on celebrating black UK talent.

“There should be somewhere to celebrate black theatre and luckily enough I am in a position where I can help make that happen," explained Urdang.

She added: “Let’s celebrate success and make tomorrow’s black performers, directors, choreographers, costume designers and technicians really believe: 'That could be me'."

Link to nominations and more information can be found at: https://www.blackbritishtheatreawards.com/vote

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