Ovalhouse Presents Its Second #Connect: Women In Theatre

Following the great success of the first event of its kind, Ovalhouse presents the second #CONNECT: Women in Theatre, once again the evening celebrates the contribution of women of colour in British theatre. This event takes place on Wednesday 6 March from 6pm at Ovalhouse, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SW.

#CONNECT: Women in Theatre will be presented in the run up to International Women's Day on 8 March and will be hosted by Ovalhouse Executive Producer, Stella Kanu and Learning and Participation Manager, Titi Dawudu; the event will be curated by award winning Playwright and Professor Winsome Pinnock. Taking inspiration from Desert Island Discs, Winsome Pinnock will ask her chosen guests - what are the things that nurture them? There will also be an exploration of self-care, inter-generational compassion and sharing the secrets to staying 'well'. This will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with Karena Johnson (Artistic Director, Hoxton Hall), Actor Seraphina Beh (EastEnders BBC 1, Wolves Theatre Royal Stratford East, Leave Taking at Bush Theatre) and Director Ola Ince (The Convert Young Vic, Poet in da Corner Royal Court Theatre).

Questions for debate include: What does the recent ground-breaking number of BAME artistic appointments mean for artists/leaders? Does experience matter? What does it mean to celebrate women's contribution to Theatre? How do women overcome the gatekeepers and those that do not want to see progress? Does visibility count?

Last year's event was an inspirational and intergenerational conversation between some of the great theatre giants Paulette Randall and Judith Jacob and trailblazing new talent Lynette Linton, Cherelle Skeette and Yolanda Mercy.

"It's not every day a 56 year old organisation taps into the Zeitgeist of now. But Ovalhouse has tapped into something that many women want to be part of. We were taken aback by the generous atmosphere and the mix of career levels in the room. It was both joyous and life affirming and the next event will be even better". Executive Producer Stella Kanu