Comedian Munya Chawawa has today (October 14th) announced the launch of Black Boys Theatre Club (BBTC) — a powerful new community-led initiative that aims to open up the world of theatre to a new generation of young Black boys.
Conceived by Chawawa and developed quietly over the past 12 months, BBTC emerged from the satirist and writer own personal journey into theatre — a world brimming with creative freedom, yet one where he often felt unwelcome and seldom saw himself reflected.
At its heart, BBTC is dedicated to breaking down the “cultural, financial, and emotional barriers” that have long made theatre feel inaccessible to young Black boys. It stands as an open invitation into a space that has too often overlooked them — and an opportunity to redefine the future of British theatre, both onstage and behind the scenes.
Black Boys Theatre Club | Launch Video
With support from key cultural organisations including Nando’s, National Theatre, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Bush Theatre, Black Boys Theatre Club work with several schools across London to combine play-going experiences with Chawawa with real behind the scenes access to the industry, offering not just a seat in the audience, but a look behind the curtain for 15 and 16 year olds.
In a move to further bolster a sense of community, each BBTC trip finishes with a debrief at Nando’s, where Munya and the boys discuss the play and its themes over food. The ambition is to create a generation of young Black men who feel “empowered to enjoy theatre, encouraged to take part themselves, and inspired to contribute to the arts through their own lives and careers”.
Speaking about the initiative, Chawawa shares: “Black men consistently dazzle us on stage and on screen, 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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