A Sheffield theatre wants to create a safe space for the young African community in Sheffield and “bring people together” through a joint love of drama.
Utopia Theatre is an African theatre company that aims to highlight the history, culture, and heritage of Africa.
Since coming to Sheffield in 2016, the theatre has formed a partnership with Sheffield Theatres and has a residency at the Crucible.
Mojisola Kareem, 60, founder and CEO of the Utopia Theatre, said: “It brings people together and creates community.”
The theatre offers a range of activities including African dance classes and the youth programme which has now been running for two years. It also offers free drama classes for young people looking to go into an arts career.
As a mother herself, Ms Kareem explained that having had young boys inspired her to set up the youth academies as she understands the difficulties of getting children into to drama schools, especially with financial constraints.
She said: “I don’t know if there’s anything like it which exists in Sheffield.
“Its a safe space for young people of African and Caribbean heritage. It’s a safe space somewhere where they can come and speak to people.”
The youth academy runs every Thursday from 5 to 8pm and young people can play games in an environment away from school. It’s free to attend and offers a flexible environment with the theatre paying for travel expenses, and food and drinks for the children.
Ms Kareem said the sessions are largely run by the young people themselves and are designed to “create the leaders of tomorrow”.
She added that she hopes that the youth academies will inspire young people to “think about the community a bit more,” and, should they be in positions of power in the future, they will “understand what this kind of environment can mean to people”.
The theatre is currently working on a production called Death and the King’s Horseman. This will be the largest production the company has ever done and will be at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield for a week in February 2025.
More information about Utopia Theatre and how to get involved can be found here.
