THE
FOUNDERS & patrons
“It’s such a pleasure to witness such a positive impact to theatre, watching it grow and develop. We can’t wait to celebrate at this iconic venue, the national theatre in London, again this autumn.”
Omar F. Okai
Director
Omar’s heritage as a fourth generation black British Director and Choreographer, hails from a Ghanaian, Irish and Brazilian line. His family’s involvement in the performing arts began with his grandmother Annie Barnes, his mother Margery Okai and his great aunts, all being part of Britain’s first black dance company ‘ Ballet Negré ‘. His own formal training at the prestigious ‘ London Contemporary Dance School ‘ ( 1984 – 1987 ) took him all over the world, performing in Malaysia, the Caribbean, Europe and finally Londons westend. Performing in shows such as Five Guys Named Moe, King , Sweet Charity, My One and Only, and many more. Finally becoming a creative and channeling his work to celebrate Britain’s amazing diversity off and on stage as a director, a mentor and a spokesman person for equality in theatre.
Diversity is not just a word, its living the life long work.
Solange Urdang OBE
CO-FOUNDER
Solange comes from an impressive family of activists. Born to the late leonie urdang (founder of the urdang academy), who fled south africa in the sixties to london after witnessing apartheid and its injustices, she became ceo of the academy in 2001. Solange has spent her career pushing boundaries and building cultural bridges. She sits on various panels in order to promote diversity in professional musical theatre and dance training. Solange is also a patron of the palace of dogs and founder of link talent agency.
