Black History Month Scratch Night

Join us to celebrate Black History Month with a vibrant and exciting Scratch Night!

We will be showcasing bold new ideas and creativity from a range of artforms and celebrating work in progress from local theatre makers and artists from Global Majority backgrounds.

This is a free opportunity, but places are limited so please book early.

A fantastic opportunity to experience and celebrate emerging local talent and artists.

Don’t miss this uplifting and inspiring evening!

Our performances and artists are:

Becoming by Imani Ahiro Wenham

Imani Ahiro Wenham is a Leicester-based writer, performer and producer, and the founder of Apittame Arts (est. 2019), a platform dedicated to nurturing community and creativity. Their work has been staged at Curve, including a 20-minute rehearsed reading of their debut play SANKOFIA’S LOVE, and spans poetry, theatre and performance that interrogates memory, identity and resilience.

Their latest piece, BECOMING, weaves movement, poetry to explore witness, violence and reclamation of the body. Through Apittame Arts and their own practice, Imani continues to champion collaborative, bold storytelling that is rooted in honesty, care and transformative creative expression.

Instagram & TikTok @earthstartshere

Being a Black Brit in the UK by Ayinawu Abdul-Samed

Aniyawu is a Black British creative and spoken word artist whose work explores identity, culture, and the experience of growing up Black in the UK. Her writing blends personal narrative, social commentary, and celebration of Black womanhood.

BEING A BLACK BRIT IN THE UK is a spoken word piece reflecting on her journey from 2018 to 2025, exploring themes of hair politics, colourism, self-love, and representation. Through rhythm and storytelling, her work seeks to amplify overlooked experiences while celebrating joy, resilience, and cultural pride.

Roots & Rhythms of Praise by Kris Grant

Kris Grant is a Leicester based Singer-Songwriter, Rapper and Producer from Nigeria who majors on Christian/Gospel and Afrobeats as his main genres, making “Afro-Gospel” a unique fusion of these two genres.

Kris Grant makes inspiring, soul warming, uplifting and danceable Christian Afrobeats music with a unique fusion of Afrobeats and Gospel, delivered in English, Pidgin, and Igbo language. His performance will include “Ebubedike”, “All in All, Pt. 2”, and “No Pressure” which are some of the his outstanding singles.

Instagram & X @iamkrisgrant Facebook Kris Grant

MOULDed by Lena Ngoudjo and Barbara Boateng

Lena is a multidisciplinary artist woven by her obsession with undressing the raw beauty of the bare self through the complexities of self-expression and the merging realms intersecting culture and identity. Stirring a mixture of performance, spoken word poetry, and Multimedia art that challenges Traditional Western ideology and Contemporary Art forms.

MOULDED is a movement and soundscape piece centred around the Cameroonian folklore of Cinderella, where a young princess is buried under a bamboo tree by her step-family. The piece is the unravelling of how a body would relate towards nature after been confined underground for so long.

Co-performed poetry by Lena Ngoudjo & Barbara Boateng.

@cinnamoncasket @thewomanfrom_thatday

Moved by Tony Graves

Ghanaian born Tony Graves is a former classical pianist and lecturer. He has worked as a producer and is passionate about theatre and the need for the arts to represent black arts and audiences.

Jerry and Marcia are a black middle-class couple. They believe they can fit in anywhere, including classical music concerts. However, this is questioned when they find an entitled couple in their seats who refuse to move. A black usher is of no help. So, they turn to the audience for help. MOVED is a satirical play that puts the audience on the spot. It asks questions about theatre, class and race.

Directed by Octavia Nyombi

Facebook Tony Graves Instagram @Tonykwekugraves X @Nanabayinspur

Felicity by Amelia Michaels

Amelia Michaels is a British-Bajan Actor, Director, Theatre maker and Facilitator born and bred between London and the Midlands. In the past 18 months she’s solo produced her debut play MANDEM (for which she is also the Writer and Co-Director) across 5 UK fringe festivals. Amelia’s performance FRANCES began as a spoken word piece inspired by the impacts of social media and perfectionism on the first wave of Gen Z’ers. It then became the genesis from which MANDEM was born. Amelia is a current member of the 25/26 ‘New Associates’ cohort with New Perspectives Theatre Company, and as a Director has just finished assisting Lynette Linton on NOT YOUR SUPERWOMAN (Bush Theatre).

Instagram & X @ameliarebeccaxo

Heritage in My Hair by Na-keisha Pebody

Na-keisha Pebody is a writer, poet and actor from Leicester, now based in London. Her spoken word piece HERITAGE IN MY HAIR reflects on the significance of Black hair in culture and history, while exploring her own journey towards acceptance and pride in her natural hair.

Na-keisha trained at Identity School of Acting and is represented by Nina Malone at IDSA Talent. Her debut play LEI-LDN premiered at Croydonites Festival and was supported by Curve at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival as part of the Pleasance Edinburgh National Partnerships. The production was shortlisted for three awards at the Edinburgh Fringe, highlighting Na-keisha’s powerful storytelling and commitment to championing Black and Brown voices on stage .

Instagram nakeishapebody_

Three Fifths of the Story by Jonathan Akinsete

Jonathan Akinsete is an independent artist in the making with a passion for rap, spoken word and singing, although yet to formally release his work. Despite drawing inspiration from Stormzy, NF, Lecrae, KB, Andy Mineo, and others growing up, Jonathan derives his creativity from the original Creator, his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom he owes his delivery and deliverance.

Jonathan’s latest creation focuses on the development of institutionalised and internalised, implicit and explicit racism within the UK and its history, seeking to elucidate the complexities of today’s racial and political climate.

Instagram @jono.a_ TikTok @jonoa_ YouTube @jonoraps

Running time: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes

Age Guidance: 14+

Discounts are subject to availability and may be removed at any time. Only valid on certain performances - terms and conditions apply.