The Story Collective, a FIFTH SEASON backed company, expands its Board with the addition of award-winning director, writer, actor and artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah.

Kwame has been the creative force behind the Young Vic Theatre in London for over six years – under his leadership, the theatre has transferred four plays to London’s West End, two to Broadway and another is being made into a motion picture. Kwame was previously Artistic Director of Baltimore Center Stage (Maryland, USA 2011-2018), where he directed a slew of plays such as Toni Morrison’s Jazz, Marley, Amadeus, One Night in Miami (which later transferred to the Donmar Warehouse, was Olivier nominated and adapted into an Oscar nominated movie) and Dance of the Holy Ghosts by The Color Purple screenwriter Marcus Gardley. He curated the iconic and historic once-in-a-decade World Festival of Black Arts & Culture in Senegal in 2010. As a playwright, his credits include Tree (created with Idris Elba) Elmina’s Kitchen, Fix Up and Statement of Regret at the National Theatre and West End. For New York’s Public Theatre he directed Twelfth Night, Detroit ’67 and Much Ado About Nothing. Kwame also produced The Olivier and Tony nominated Death of a Salesman on Broadway last season.

In terms of the screen, Kwame is currently in post-production on his feature film directorial debut The Collaboration, written by Anthony McCarten and starring Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope, based on the play he directed in both its debut London run at the Young Vic and its Broadway transfer. He recently exec produced The Black British Theatre Awards and Play in a day for Sky Arts. Screen writing credits include the upcoming Spike Lee directed Boner, Breaking starring John Boyega, and an episode of the BAFTA and RTS nominated series Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle which he also exec produced.

Kwame has served on the boards of the National Theatre, Tricycle Theatre, Theatre Communications Group (USA) and currently sits on the board of The Tate. In 2012 he was awarded an OBE for Services to Drama.

With such a diverse range of skills and experience spanning across all forms of artistic creation and culture, Kwei-Armah is looking to bring his expertise and mentorship to The Story Collective’s wider team across a variety of projects being developed within the group, as well as reach into his extensive and deep talent relationships to nurture and build new ideas for the screen.

Kwame Kwei-Armah said: “I am so excited to join this dynamic, brilliant and exciting company. The talent already part of its portfolio is beyond inspiring and I hope to learn so so much by being in close proximity to Damian, Simon and the team.”

CEO Damian Keogh said: “We are incredibly excited and honoured that Kwame has decided to join us. He is a brilliant and inspiring creative leader. His wealth of experience, unique talent and cultural status within the industry speaks for itself. The real thrill, though, is that Kwame is one of the most generous, kind and infectiously joyous people you are ever going to meet. On a personal level, I have really enjoyed our long walks getting to know each other (my step count is off the charts!), and I am hugely excited about the journey ahead together.”