tiata delights is back and taking over Watford Palace Theatre again with an inclusive festival, bringing artists and audiences together for a jam-packed day of events.
Join us for a day of hands-on artist development sessions and relaxed networking opportunities, led by industry insiders and some of the brightest stars in the business. You’ll get to develop new skills and see new work in a warm and inviting environment, as we celebrate well into the evening. Whether you’re an artist developing your career, or you just want to have fun and get a taste of tomorrow’s talents (and some delicious diaspora culinary delights) this is the date for your diary.
tiata delights is known for showcasing and developing exciting new talent and celebrating established artists, including the now award-winning playwright Bola Agbaje (writer of Gone Too Far!) Adetomiwa Edun (from BBC’s Merlin), Christopher Colquhoun (BBC’s Casualty and The Lion King), Cush Jumbo (BBC’s Lip Service) and Martina Laird (BBC’s Casualty). Here’s your chance to sample the best of the future in the present.
tiata artists day pass: artists, writers, directors, actors and the creatively curious, buy a tiata artist day pass to access all areas. Navigate your own journey through the day.
audiences are invited to join us with the tiata delights: after dark pass.
tiata artists day pass (11am-6pm): £15 / book over the phone: 01923 225671
tiata delights: after dark pass (6pm): £10 / book over the phone: 01923 225671
do it all: £20 / book over the phone: 01923 225671
artists’ sessions (free access with an artist pass):
build your own journey: 10:30-11:00am: café and greenroom bar
Start planning your creative journey for the day with complimentary coffee, croissants and conversation.
tobi kyeremateng: opening conversation: 11:00-11:30am: mainstage
writing up a storm: 11:30am-1:00pm: rehearsal studio
with award-winning writer Emma Dennis-Edwards
Join Emma Dennis-Edwards for a workshop to discover your voice, gather exercises to kick start your process, discuss what it means to tell stories today and how to pitch your work to venues and programmers.
producing surgeries: 11:30am-1:00pm and 3:00-5:00pm: dressing room
with Salome Wagine, independent producer and Project Manager at Cambridge Junction (Diverse Actions)
Bring a concept, an idea or a project and let producing whiz Salome Wagine help you problem solve the journey from your imagination to the stage. [Limited availability, arrive at 10:30am to book your 15 min slot]
let’s talk about residencies, baby: 11:30am-1:00pm: the green room bar
with theatremaker and 2019 JMK winner Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu
Join Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu as he discusses residencies and awards and application processes.
the freelance hustle: how to survive and thrive: 11:30am-1:00pm: cafe
with Paula Akpan (journalist and founder of Black Girl Fest), Ryan Calais Cameron (award-winning writer, actor and Artistic Director of Nouveau Riche) and Jools Walker (cycling activist, author and TV presenter)
Join our multi-disciplinary panel as they share their journey and the hustle to thrive and survive as a freelancer.
how to protect your work: 11:30am-1:00pm: hospitality room
with talent agent, Marvin Godfrey
Join Marvin as he provides an insight into the business aspects of show business, how artists can protect their work and how to work with agents.
lunch: 1:00pm-2:00pm: cafe / green room bar
Don’t worry, we got you… lunch is on us. Go in on our African buffet brought to you by Afrinape
speed networking: 2:00pm-2:45pm: mainstage
If this world is all about who you know, let’s get to know more and different people in this rapid speed networking session.
radical kindness in the rehearsal room: 3:00-4:45pm: mainstage
with Cherrelle Skeete actor, writer, theatremaker, Co-Founder & Co-Director of Blacktress UK
Join Cherrelle for an acting workshop and learning the importance of community healing and militant kindness in art.
let’s get practical: 3:00-5:00pm: rehearsal studio
Join the multi-award-winning Nancy Medina as she puts directing under the spotlight, sharing her processes and practices and the journey behind her career including Two Trains Running (Royal&Derngate/English Touring Theatre), Strange Fruit (Bush Theatre) The Half God of Rainfall (Fuel/Birmingham Rep/Kiln Theatre).
all things arts council: 3:00-5:00pm: cafe
with Terry Adams, Relationship Manager at Arts Council England
Join Terry as he shares the keys to producing strong funding applications for Art Council grants.
making money moves: 3:00-5:00pm: green room bar
with Mwiza Mkandawire, Accountant & Head of Finance at Artsadmin
Learn how to manage your money and budget for your creative projects.
working with (not against) theatre press: 3:00-5:00pm: hospitality room
with Bridget Minamore, writer, journalist and dramaturg
Join Bridget as she gives us the scoop on working with press — how to do it well, how to engage journalists with the work you’re making, and how to do it without spending lots of money.
the future of theatre: closing conversation: 5:00-6:00pm: mainstage
Join the newest theatre Executives on the block as they discuss, debate and dream about the future of theatre.
tiata delights: after dark (free access with an after dark pass or the do it all pass)
the delightful RAP party
What might eloquent voices from contemporary poetry and spoken word movements have to say about hip-hop’s past, present and future? Come chill and find out at Inua Ellams’ Rhythm And Poetry Party, a nostalgic, no-clutter, no-fuss, night of hip-hop-inspired poems and favourite hip-hop songs.
The format is super simple. 10 poets share a poem that engages any aspect of hip hop culture after each poet, the DJ will play two hip hop songs of the poet’s choosing that linked to the poem.
This special event, commissioned by tiata fahodzi, closes out tiata delights, a day of hands-on artist development sessions and relaxed networking opportunities, led by industry insiders and some of the brightest stars in the theatre business.
(c) Aaron Imuere