In The Spotlight With Madeleine Kludje

My name is Madeleine Kludje and I am the Associate Director at Birmingham Repertory Theatre. 

I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the Black artists and creatives who have stepped over the threshold of The REP and had an incredible impact - big or small! 

As I reflected on the talent and effort of those who have come before me and the pathways they have created, I wanted to recognise the profound impression they had left behind. 

So let's shine a light on those who are working hard to make representation part of the fabric of our theatre. Let's celebrate those who have done some wonderful things and overcome great challenges to do so. 

Unfortunately, I know I will not cover everyone who has come before my time at The REP, but I hope that this is the start of highlighting more diverse and wonderful people. From their stories and legacies to the many more inspirational people that are yet to step through these doors!  

 

Imaani Phillips & Jade Senior

In the spotlight this week is Imaani Phillips and Jade Senior who are part of our incredible front of house team at The REP. 

Imaani started her journey at The REP in 2016. Within a year she was the first Black, female customer service apprentice to be promoted to a fixed-term contracted usher. Being incredibly meticulous and proud of her job, Imaani worked hard and sometimes felt she had a lot to prove. Championing for more diversity within the front of house department, in 2017 a new, young and diverse team began to emerge. One of these new team members was Jade Senior.

Having completed a drama degree - and keen to be in and amongst the theatre scene - Jade quickly made an impact with her big and bubbly personality. Getting involved in the community theatre show Woyzeck, she landed a role in The Crescent's version of Romeo and Juliet (after the director saw her perform!)  

From an audience member's first step into the building, to the first hello from an usher, Jade and Imaani epitomise how much representation matters. They reminisce on the many encounters they've had, from witnessing young diverse audiences experience theatre for the first time with school, through to the avid theatre goer from a similarly diverse background. To these audiences, seeing Jade and Imaani as their first point of call has been a moment of pride and comfort.

Recalling shows they've seen at The REP, Imaani and Jade agree that One Love: The Bob Marley Musical, Nativity! The Musical and Rebel Music have left the biggest impact. Not only is it the stories behind these particular shows, but, in some cases, the local voices that are given a place on the stage. 

The REP welcomes all walks of life and, as ushers, Jade and Imaani constantly experience a range of audience reactions first hand. They both talk about how important the atmosphere is, from connecting with an audience member post-show, to sharing in a joyous ovation, these are the moments that have given them real pride in wearing The REP uniform. 

There still is a way to go to ensure diversity and representation on all our stages, both on and off, but Imaani and Jade are willing to be part of that change, enabling inclusivity at all times.

Our talented front of house staff are not just an incredibly important part of the theatre, but they are the first point of contact for our audience members. This is a great moment to celebrate them, especially in these challenging times.

Imaani and Jade continue to have a wonderful impact on The REP. They are standing by, ready to welcome audiences back into the theatre once it's safe to do so! 

 

Philip Morris & Keiren Hamilton-Amos

In the spotlight this week is Philip Morris and Keiren Hamilton-Amos.

Philip Morris started his journey as an intern at The REP and during this time he came across an opportunity to apply for some funding. The idea was a pilot scheme that would run for 2 years, working with young Black men in the community. Philip prepared a pitch for the funding, entitled 'Up My Street,' which aimed to improve the mental wellbeing of young African and Caribbean men. 

Successfully receiving funding from MIND, at the end of the two years Philip felt that there was a real need for a young Black male theatre group. He wanted to run something that would continue beyond a limited time frame and create a group where the devised work reflected who they were. Above all, he wanted to form a brotherhood that could and would always support each other. 

After securing a permanent job as Youth Theatre Director at The REP, Philip (with support of his best friend Keiren Hamilton-Amos) began a theatre group of young Black men, creating theatre in a rehearsal room. 

Following the success of the 'Up My Street' pilot, the project partners successfully secured significant funding from the Lottery Community Fund for a 3 year programme called 'Shifting The Dial'. The project is a unique partnership between The REP, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, First Class Legacy and the Centre For Mental Health.

Shifting The Dial funding enabled Philip to develop his theatre group into Lightpost Theatre Company - an incredible training ground, but also a safe space to develop confidence and resilience. Performing in shows that actively challenge social stigmas, and ideas associated with young Black men, the group used theatre as a gateway to create new plays of social and historical context.  Lightpost remain a key element of the Shifting The Dial project.

The impact that Lightpost has had on The REP is immeasurable, performing work to national decision makers and commissioners in theatres and at conferences. Not only that, their alumni have gone onto many things, from becoming actors and writers to going to University or working in different sectors, but one thing remains, they have a brotherhood forever. 

Today, the group continues to evolve, but it started with 2 young Black men wanting to create theatre, make change and provide support and mentorship to young Black men in the West Midlands. 

With Philip's vision, Keiren's experience and their combined hard work, the Lightpost baton has been passed onto the next generation of Black male theatre makers (CJ Lloyd Webley & Mathias André), leading Lightpost into a new iteration.

Philip is now trainee director at The Royal Court Theatre and Keiren is an actor, movement director and a member of Strictly Arts. The impact they made, supporting young Black men in Birmingham, will live and grow at The REP. 

 

Lorna Laidlaw

From starting in The REP's youth theatre to venturing out on community tours, Lorna has performed on all three of our stages. She was also part of the Barry Jackson Trust and played a vital part on our board of trustees. Lorna is a writer and director, as well as an actor. Perhaps best recognised for her roles as Mrs Tembe in Doctors (for which she has won an RTS and MVSA award for Best Actress) and currently Aggie Bailey in Coronation Street, Lorna's many other credits include over 30 radio productions and she also directed Mr Soon Come (The Drum), which won The MVSA Award - Best Black Theatre Production.

Over her expansive career, Lorna hasn't stopped. Whether she was treading the boards whilst pregnant with her two sons or playing the Wizard in our 2018 Christmas spectacle, The Wizard of Oz, she is an inspiration. Some of her many other REP performing credits include: I Knew You, These Four Streets, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Peter Pan. Her REP directing credits include: Caribbean Kitchen, Nativity, Stranger In The Park, ID-79 and In Between the Music.

Lorna has created a great impact on The REP as a person, creative and artist. Not only that, she is a tremendous support, guiding and advising the next generation of theatre makers.