Three Black-Led Organisations Launch Groundbreaking Framework to Define Black Theatre in the UK

Three Black-led organisations have joined forces to introduce a bold new framework designed to reshape conversations around Black Theatre in the UK.

The Rendition, Second Brain HQ, and Doing Black Things With My Black Friends have unveiled Black Feminism Spells for Self-Naming: What Makes Black Theatre?, a thought-provoking new piece written by Táiyé that seeks to establish a clearer language and understanding around what constitutes Black Theatre.

Rooted in Black feminist principles of self-definition, the framework explores the importance of naming and protecting Black creative spaces. Drawing inspiration from the words of Audre Lorde, it argues that self-definition is essential for resisting tokenism and reclaiming agency within the arts sector.

Táiyé explains: “This framework is intentionally specific. It isn’t about policing who gets to make work; it’s about establishing language that allows us to name and protect what is distinctively ours. For too long, ‘diversity’ has meant one or two of us in the room. This framework asks us to be bolder and more radical.”

• The framework proposes that a production can be identified as Black Theatre when at least two of the following elements are present:
• All cast members are Black and/or of mixed Black heritage.The production’s writer and director are Black and/or of mixed Black heritage. The framework also strongly encourages organisations to ensure that key creative and production leadership positions, including producers, designers and stage management roles, are held by Black and mixed Black heritage professionals.
• The story centres Black experiences and meaningfully engages with the realities, perspectives and complexities of Black communities, while recognising intersectional identities including gender, class, sexuality, disability and migration.

Alongside defining Black Theatre, the piece introduces the term ‘Black-led work‘ to acknowledge productions featuring Black artists that may not meet the full criteria outlined in the framework. The distinction aims to celebrate a wider range of Black creative contributions while maintaining clarity around what is uniquely Black Theatre.

The organisations behind the initiative hope the framework will serve as a catalyst for broader industry discussions around audiences, programming, funding, institutional practice and the future of Black theatre-making in Britain.

Exploring the collective traditions of Black audiences and the historic organising power of Black women and femmes, Black Feminism Spells for Self-Naming: What Makes Black Theatre? positions community-led self-definition as a vital tool for protecting, celebrating and advancing Black Theatre in the UK.

As conversations around representation continue to evolve, the framework offers a timely intervention, one that moves beyond diversity metrics and towards a more intentional understanding of Black cultural production and leadership.