About Us

A WORD FROM OUR PATRONS

“Collective Artistes is a theatre company that not only serves community but is community”

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka

“I have continued to be impressed with the quality, authenticity and relevance of Collective Artistes’ work on the British stage…CA remains an eclectic and engaging theatrical fixture.”

Jude Kelly OBE, Director, Southbank Centre

OUR MISSION

Collective Artistes (CA) is a professional theatre company committed to producing excellent theatrical experiences that tell the stories of the African Diaspora. Inspired by his mentor Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Artistic Director Chuck Mike founded Collective Artistes in Nigeria in 1988 with the aim of producing stunning and vibrant theatre that has a tangible impact in the wider community. CA was incorporated in the UK in 2002 and became a UK registered charity in 2006. Through epic tales that explore common humanity across cultures, CA’s plays aim to challenge mythologies of the African Diaspora, encourage social cohesion and create social change. We believe that only exceptional art creates social change, and therfore strive for artistic excellence in all our projects. We team productions with Theatre for Social Change initiatives – drama-based projects that engage young people and community members in identifying and addressing areas of social concern. These projects are designed to empower communities and to promote cultural diversity, tolerance and equality.

Collective Artistes tours professional theatre production nationally approximately every 18-months. Our work has attracted co-producing partnerships from established venues across the UK, including the Barbican, Young Vic, Royal Court, National Theatre Studio, West Yorkshire Playhouse, and the London International Festival of Theatre. View our Past Productions pages for more information about our tours and partners.

It made our struggle worthwhile to be able to bring such a fine production [‘The Meeting’] to the heart of the community in Tottenham. Bernie would have been smiling I have no doubt – this is just what he would have wanted his Centre to have been used for. Wonderful casting, first class acting, perfectly directed – and a virtually full and very appreciative house!

Mrs. Sharon Grant, wife of late MP Bernie Grant

On ‘The Meeting’ at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre

Chuck Mike’s exuberant production reverberates with music, dance and rhythm.

Metro (on ‘The Lion & The Jewel’)

OUR STAFF

Chuck Mike – Artistic Director

OUR TRUSTEES

Kofi Mensah Kramo – Acting Chair
Alan Kirby – Treasurer
Juwon Ogungbe
Prof. Osita Okagbue

OUR PATRONS

Professor Wole Soyinka
Jude Kelly, OBE

CONTACT US

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