Munya Chawawa launches new initiative Black Boys Theatre Club
- Text by Isaac Muk
- Photography by Faysal Hassan
BBTC — The comedian will lead trips for young Black men to watch stage shows, and provide behind the curtain glimpses to the creative industries.
Comedian and actor Munya Chawawa has launched a new initiative aimed at inspiring young Black men to enter the world of stage and acting.
Black Boys Theatre Club (BBTC) will see Chawawa work with schools across London, where he will take groups of young Black men aged between 15 and 16 to see plays at the theatre, while being given behind-the-curtain access to the machinations of the industry.
It’s supported by Nando’s, the National Theatre, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Bush Theatre, with each trip concluding with a concluding session at Nando’s where Chawawa will open space for discussion about the play they have seen, its themes and more.
According to Chawawa, the aim is to inspire young Black men to engage with and participate in theatre, whether it’s feeling encouraged to watch a play, or take up acting themselves.
He said: “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,” he continued.
The initiative is launched alongside a video filmed at Wyndham’s Theatre under Chawawa’s creative studio Munz Made It, and features cultural figures including Jordan Stephens, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Mohamed Elsandel, Ariyon Bakare and Araloyin Oshunremi.
Commenting on the video, Chawawa said: “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.”
Watch the launch video below.
Isaac Muk is Huck’s digital editor. Follow him on Bluesky.
Buy your copy of Huck 82 here.
Enjoyed this article? Follow Huck on Instagram and sign up to our newsletter for more from the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture.
Support stories like this by becoming a member of Club Huck.
You might like
World’s first youth culture museum is opening in London
Music, subculture and style — The Museum of Youth Culture will be opening in Camden in December, with 6,500 sq ft of space.
Written by: Isaac Muk
How the barbershop became a bastion for the black British community
‘Everybody needs a cut’ — An integral part of the black British experience, visiting your barber has now become one of the few socially accepted forms of black male intimacy.
Written by: Natty Kasambala
Exploring girlhood and land ancestry in Sudan’s cotton fields
Cotton Queen – A new feature debut from filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani explores the legacy of colonialism and the fight for self-determination through the tender eyes of a teenage girl.
Written by: Roxana Diba
Sports Banger is throwing a party to mark 90 years since the Battle of Cable Street
“Fascists hate dancing” — The October event will bring DJs, live music, sound system culture and anti-fascist politics together in East London.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Portraits of gay bears through a rooftop hatch
Big Boys On My Roof™ — Growing up, Anthony Stockdale struggled with his love for bigger men. His new photo series celebrates the bear community.
Written by: Anthony Stockdale
In photos: Lives of solitude at the world’s edge
Coirón — Pie Aerts’s new photobook documents years spent in close quarters with puesteros in Patagonia – a group of aging gauchos who live almost completely isolated existences.
Written by: Isaac Muk
