South Asian Playwrights Face Funding Crisis

A significant funding deficit is hindering the commissioning of new plays by South Asian female playwrights, according to insights from a theatre director.

For five years, Sameena Hussain, formerly an associate director at Leeds Playhouse, has observed a notable lack of representation for South Asian stories, particularly from female writers. She is now involved with the Kali DISCOVERY Programme in Bradford, which supports four new writers.

Hussain emphasized that the issue is a "deficit in funding," not a "lack of will." She noted the presence of "brilliant writers out there" but expressed concern over the scarcity of opportunities for their development and production.

The Kali Theatre initiative, in collaboration with UK theatres, offers a free writing program for aspiring playwrights. The program in Bradford features four writers: Shazia Bibi, Samara Daniels, Nabeela Ahmed, and Lois Vohra.

These writers' 20-minute plays are scheduled for performance at the University of Bradford's Theatre in the Mill on February 27 and 28. Bibi shared her personal experience of not seeing herself represented in theatre while growing up in Bradford.

Bibi's play, "The Almost," explores a couple's relationship and the impact of a single decision on life's course, aiming to "shift the dialogue of what South Asian writing can be." Another participant, Aizah Khan, highlighted the excitement of working with female Asian writers, acknowledging a noted increase in such writers in recent years due to similar programs.