By james art The new department for the work and development of artists in Birmingham has announced its first cohort in its program for the development of artists, Hippodrome Origins.
Guided by Anna Himali Howard, a new manager of working work in Hippodrome of Birmingham and supported by Sofia Griffin, the leader of the development of the new work and artists, the 18-month program includes eight theater writers and creators from West Midlands.
The group of compromises of America Saleh, Elizabeth O’Connor, Grace Barrington, Jazz Morrison, Louis Worton, Nathan Sebastian Lafayette, Tina Hoffman and Zakari Abdilachi.
The creators have a number of work and life experiences and a combined desire to expand their skills and create a new theater. Launched in November 2024, the program will allow artists to develop new ideas, stories and work, supported by the Hippodrome, with monthly group sessions to catch up with each other and receive support for peers. At the end of the program, the work will be shared with a wider audience.
Anna Himali Howard, a new manager of work in Birmingham Hippodrom, said: “This is a group of extraordinary playwrights and the West Midlands Theater, all of whom are at a transitional moment in their practice. We are so excited to support them in nourishing their artistry and creating new pieces. Some move in the forms of art, others in new objects or ways to create a theater. We are proud that these brilliant artists will have a home in the Hippodrome. “
Meet the first cohort of Hippodrome Origins:
America Saleh is an artist of a spoken word, born and raised by Birmingham. Her Muslim Yemeni roots give her a place to get lost and find many times between identity. She is the co -founder of Verve Poetry Press. America has participated throughout Europe – its work touches identity, femininity, religion and the vague idea of belonging only in one place.
Elizabeth O’Conor is a writer based in Birmingham. Her short stories appear in The White Review and Granta. Her debut novel, Whale Fall, was published in 2024 by Picador to the UK and in fourteen other territories. He was selected as one of the ten best debut novels of the Year of the Observer and as a remarkable 2024 book by the New York Times and The New Yorker, among others. She is interested in writing nature and climate and is excited to work in a new form in dramaturgy.
Grace Barrington is a playwright and playwright based in Birmingham. She likes to work on plays that cover complexity, test form and ask questions that fall under our skin. Outside of writing, it works to build a better cultural infrastructure in the city, especially by exploring how we grow and maintain relationships that are rooted in care. As part of it, she also co -operates the “Writing Bloc” in the Birmingham Hippodrome, a night night for local artists to test raw ideas for the scene.
Jazz Morrison is an artist and a writer who is interested in the repair of the community and the construction of a culture. Her work often centers activities and provocations for group identities in both the Black Britain and the West-Midlands working class. The creation of feeling and commemoration is greatly distinguished in its writing, whether they emphasize local activity in reviews; through essays inspired by research; And in speculations.
Luis Worton is the manufacturer of the freelance theater based in West Midlands. His creative practice seeks to combine Queer telling stories with bold and inventive contemporary theatrical processes. His experience varies from performances in published texts and improvised Music Theater, to the production and directing of original written and created productions. He recently founded his own theater company, Sugar Milk. MNS dedicates the time, money and resources to original Queer themes in West Midlands.
Nathan Sebastian Lafayette is a multidisciplinary artist based in Birmingham, working in the field of dance, music production and film. His work focuses on the topics of love, death, morals, connection, energy and growth; With a strong emphasis on pure and vulnerable honesty.
Tina Hoffman He is a theater artist, creative producer, associate and academic who emigrated to the UK as a young man. Tina is a creative congenital of Notnow Collective, a resident creative at Curve Theater and Live & Local and co -founder of the UK National Movement Migrants in the Theater. Tina also explores the presentation of artists from central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe in the Ecology of the Arts of England, funded by AHRC (Council for Studies of Arts and Humanities, the United Kingdom).
Zakariye Abdilachi is a poet, performer, playwright and director from Birmingham. He is currently a resident artist of a round house. Zaarius’s work often examines masculinity, faith and identity. His short poetic film Cells aired on BBC 4 and BBC Iplayer. He has an upcoming debut pamphlet to be published with Bad Betty Press this year.
Hippodrome Origins is a key part of the mission of the New Job and Development Department to turn the Hippodrome into a life and supportive home for creators in West Midlands. Learn more about the new Labor Development Department and Artists here: www.birminghamhippodrome.com/hippodrome-projects/artists/artistdevelopment/