It’s time to vote for who you think should win a coveted Black British Theatre Awards (BBTAs) as nominations are now open for the awards ceremony taking place in the autumn.
Image credit: Michelle Marshall
Pulling off a hugely successful launch event last October, which saw the cream of Black British theatre in attendance, the BBTAs is returning later this year to recognise the contributions of Black Britons in UK theatre.
The team behind the awards are determined to raise the profile of the role that Black British talent have made to not only this country’s artistic legacy, but the impact that their contribution have made on an international level.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BBTAs will go ahead virtually. Last year’s event was a joyous occasion and this year’s promises to be the same, bringing the community together virtually for a fun and exciting celebration of each other’s achievements. The event will be hosted by Ore Oduba, on Sunday 8 November 2020 and live streamed so that it can be enjoyed by audiences throughout the UK and beyond.
“The BBTAs team are determined to present the ceremony and help get the spirit we so sorely need in our industry back.”
Co-director and founder of BBTAS, Omar F Okai, said: “Our industry has been devastated. All plays, musicals and creative pieces have come to a sad and frightening halt, the effects are felt and have had a deep impact on our performers, creatives and students in training. The BBTAs team are determined to present the ceremony and help get the spirit we so sorely need in our industry back.”
The BBTAs span 28 categories including four new ones: Best use of Innovation and Technology, Casting Director Recognition Award, LGBTQ+ Champion Award and Disability Champion Award.
Image credit: Michelle Marshall
In addition, a Virtual BBTA Outreach Day aimed at 12 to 20-year olds, will take place to coincide with Black History Month. This will be a full day packed with workshops, masterclasses and presentations from current performers, creatives and technicians working in theatre, designed to inspire and pique the interest of the next generation of black talent in the theatre.
Solange Urdang, co-director and founder of BBTAS: “We hope that the awards will continue to have incredible impact, success and momentum that last year’s inaugural awards ceremony achieved, and ensure that the BBTAs are a firmly established and widely recognised event in the theatre sector’s calendar.”
Nominations for the awards categories are now live and close on 3 August. The awards event will take place on 8 November 2020.
