Munya Chawawa launches new initiative to introduce young Black boys to theatre

Comedian, actor and writer Munya Chawawa (The Sandman, Rye Lane) has announced the launch of Black Boys Theatre Club.

Created by Chawawa and developed over the past year, BBTC is a community-led initiative that aims to open up the world of theatre to a new generation of young Black boys, inspired by Chawawa’s own experience of discovering the medium, but rarely seeing himself represented on stage.

BBTC will collaborate with several schools in the London area, with support from such organisations as Nando’s, National Theatre, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Bush Theatre, to combine theatre trips with Chawawa with behind-the-scenes access to the industry for 15 and 16-year-olds. These experiences will finish with a debrief at Nando’s, where the boys can discuss the play and its themes with Chawawa.

“Black men consistently dazzle us on stage and on screen,” said Chawawa. “But for young Black boys, the bridge between that initial creative spark and its supernova potential isn’t always easy or encouraged. Black Boys Theatre Club will act as the starting point for that journey – a judgement-free, laughter-filled introduction to the world of theatre and creative arts, because trust me, it is a wonderful world. As a recent convert myself, this video is my own personal ode to theatre, the twinkle in my eye brought to life by other amazing young, Black actors whom I admire. So much of my work focuses on tackling the baddies and bad news plaguing society, but Black Boys Theatre Club gives me light, hope and many, many belly laughs.”

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