Dr Anni Domingo, is welcomed as Theatre Peckham’s new Chair. She is an actor, director, author and Shakespeare scholar, and brings a wealth of experience spanning the worlds of performing arts, academia and literature. She will further strengthen Theatre Peckham’s reputation as one of London’s leading community-led theatres and Learning Academy’s and will work closely with Theatre Peckham’s CEO/Artistic Director Suzann McLean and the Board of Trustees.

Theatre Peckham brings together new ideas, new stories and new partnerships. There is a genuine feeling of family in this truly multi-cultural venue that is doing so much to open up conversations, nurture young people through its Academy and embrace its community. Theatre Peckham is a home, a place where people feel like they can belong. I am thrilled to be part of its continued growth alongside the artistic vision and leadership of Suzann McLean.

Dr Anni Domingo

Domingo’s appointment is significant as she represents one of only a handful of women and even fewer from the global majority to be in a top leadership position in the Performing Arts industry. According to a 2020 survey by The Stage there were just 8% of theatre leaders from global majority backgrounds with an overwhelming 92% of the country’s top jobs filled by white leaders. Domingo, who also holds a diversity of positions on boards and panels across various sectors adds

You can’t make a difference unless you have a seat at the table. I’m here to encourage and to say that you can punch your way through. I want people to stand on my shoulders and to surpass what I have achieved. I rejoice in being able to do that because that means we are progressing.

Dr Anni Domingo

Anni Domingo succeeds Sioban Whitney-Low, who is stepping down following six years in the role during which she oversaw the renovation of the theatre building and the hiring of the current CEO/Artistic Director.

My arms are wide open welcoming Dr. Anni Domingo into the Theatre Peckham family. She is an inspirational powerhouse, bringing a wealth of experience and valuable insight. The dedicated stewardship of SiobanWhitney-Low increased the credibility and visibility of Theatre Peckham’s work for, with and by young people.  I cannot thank her enough for championing the vision and driving Theatre Peckham to become the forward-thinking inclusive cultural hub that will be a joy for Anni to hold.

Suzann McLean, CEO/Artistic Director of Theatre Peckham

I am continually inspired and uplifted by the young people at the core of Theatre Peckham. Their courage, creativity and innovation open my eyes and heart. I have learnt so much as the company has evolved and am hugely grateful for being a part of it. Today Theatre Peckham is a vibrant and representative creative hub and, under Suzann’s participative leadership, everyone’s voice is heard and equally respected.  I couldn’t wish for a better person than Anni to succeed me as Chair. She brings her passion and experience, and I can’t wait to see where this brilliant collaboration will go next.

Sioban Whitney-Low, out-going Chair

ABOUT DR. ANNI DOMINGO

Anni Domingo, was born in London but grew up in Freetown, Sierra Leone. She finished her education in the UK where she trained as an actress as well as qualifying as a teacher of Speech and Drama at Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama. Anni later obtained a BA Honours (First Class) In Literature, another BA Honours (First Class) in Humanities with Creative Writing from The Open University and an MA in Creative Writing from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge.

Anni has worked extensively as an actress in the theatre as well as on TV, radio and film. She has toured Europe, USA and Australia as a Shakespearean actress. She has worked for the BBC and other television stations as actress, broadcaster, and interviewer. Anni was in several episodes of EastEnders in 2019 before appearing in Inua Ellam’s Three Sisters at the National Theatre. She is currently lecturing at St. Mary’s University in Twickenham, at Rose Bruford College, directing at RADA and at Central School of Speech and Drama.

Anni works regularly as a director in Cambridge and in theatres around the UK. She recently directed ILE LA WA by Tolu Agbelusi at Stratford Circus, London and The Story of John Archer at Battersea Arts Centre in 2021.

Anni is also a writer. Some of her plays have been performed and her poems and short stories published in various anthologies, and online. Anni’s company, Shakespeare Link, takes Shakespeare workshops to schools and colleges and she has also written several workbooks on Shakespeare which have been used in many UK schools.

Her first novel, Breaking the Maafa Chain was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish College Fiction Prize and won a place in a writing residency at Hedgebrook In Seattle. She then won the Myriad Editions First Novel Competition, and an extract of her novel is in their highly acclaimed New Daughters Of Africa Anthology Edited By Margaret Busby. Breaking the Maafa Chain was published in October 2020. Her screenplay Blessed Assurance was filmed in 2021and will be released this year. Her poems have been published in Wild Imperfections an anthology of poems by women from Africa and the diaspora. Anni Is now working on Ominira, her second novel.

Press enquiries to Diana Whitehead: diana@fourthwallpr.co.uk