Artists in Residence

As part of our Undercroft programme, Theatre Peckham aims to lead the way in providing new frameworks for artists to work in our spaces, with our young people and be within our local community. This year we were joined by three Artists-in-Residence based in South East London who developed their own work, hosted workshops and were holistically supported by Theatre Peckham. This was a significant offer to these artists throughout the residency and included: free work space, a financial artist bursary, the opportunity to curate a programme of work for local residents, personal mentorship, marketing and dramaturgical support, free space to present new work. 

Our three 2020 Artists-in-Residence were: 

babirye bukilwa – babirye is an actor, model, poet (SISTA!, THE COLOUR OF MADNESS) podcaster and a songwriter. Most recently seen returning to the National Theatre stage opposite Cate Blanchett and directed by Katie Mitchell, her notable work includes the Royal Court, the Hampstead, The Nottingham Playhouse, the Arcola, Soho, The Leicester Curve, BBC, Channel 4 and the ICA. babirye was shortlisted for the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting Shortlist 2019. 

Olivia Douglass – a writer and artist from South East London. Her work aims to remould the traditional and colonial images surrounding the Black Queer experience and spans across poetry,live literature, live art, filmmaking and theatre. Her debut show, Palm as Portal, performed at Theatre Peckham in Summer 2020. Our Associate Director Malakaï Sargeant directed. 

Rochelle White – a London-based visual artist and educator who works primarily within photographic mediums, moving image and installation. White’s work investigates the fabric of cultural and racial identity resulting in a union of bold contemporary and traditional references, often loaded with symbolism specific to and rooted in unspoken diasporic understandings.