Wolverhampton Grand Theatre introduces Black African and Caribbean Ambassador team
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre introduces Black African and Caribbean Ambassador team
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has officially announced today a new team of theatre ambassadors who will help the theatre in its mission to ensure the diversity of its audiences is reflective of that which makes up the city’s population.
The Grand Theatre is committed to being a theatre for all and since the introduction of South Asian ambassadors in 2018, there has been a South Asian audience increase of 20%. Now, similar work has begun with a new group of Black African and Caribbean ambassadors, lead by the Grand Theatre’s new Audience Development Consultant, Tonia Daley-Campbell.
Tonia Daley-Campbell is an actress, award-winning writer, published author, director/casting director, and producer. Tonia has been working in the creative industries for over 21 years and throughout her creative career, she has been committed to discovering hidden talent from across the West Midlands. She has cast many short films, theatre projects, and the TV Pilot Lucid The Dreamwalker. She has directed plays in theatres across the UK including, The Birmingham Hippodrome, National Theatre London and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. In 2018 Tonia won an inspirational woman award for her work with young people from marginalized and disaffected communities, helping them to gain careers within the creative industries. Tonia has toured in theatres across the country and internationally, whilst also starring in TV, films and commercials. Tonia’s acting credits include: Gazebo Theatre’s Wanted, Sorry No Coloureds No Irish No Dogs and Jamaica 50. BBC Doctors, Prisoners Wives, BBC drama Danny and the human zoo, short films Good Hair, Roadside Killer, Black Hill and award-winning BBC Creatives, The Boy shaped space. Tonia is one of the directors of TV, Film and Theatre production company Themis Creative limited with Business partner and friend Oraine Johnson. Tonia is Currently the new Audience Development consultant for The Grand Theatre Wolverhampton which she absolutely loves.
Tonia Daley-Campbell said; “The Black African and Caribbean Ambassadors group is a fantastic way for the Grand theatre to show that representation matters. Our communities will feel seen and this will be reflected within the shows and projects we develop. I am so excited about our next steps at the Grand.”
On the launch of the new ambassador group, Vicky Price, Associate Director of Development and Communication at the Grand Theatre said; “we’re extremely pleased to welcome this new group of ambassadors to the Grand Theatre. We are already hugely grateful to Tonia and the team for the efforts they’ve immediately put in to help us reach new audiences and we’re very excited by the plans we’re preparing for the future.”
The Grand Theatre’s new Ambassadors are Pamilerin Beckley, Sophie Clayton, Junior Hemans, Nathan John, Carl McGregor and Simone Stewart. You can read more about each of our new Ambassadors on the Theatre Ambassadors webpage.