Ghanaians In Diaspora! Kwame Kwei-Armah Named Artistic Director of Young Vic Theatre

British playwright, Kwame Kwei-Armah, has been announced as the new artistic director of the Young Vic in London. The Young Vic is a theatre on the Cut, located near the South Bank, in London.  He is currently the director of Baltimore’s Center Stage and will start his new role next year.

Kwei-Armah was named Ian Roberts but later changed his name after he watched TV Show, Roots. He traced his family history through slave trade. He was 19 when he changed the name.

Kwei-Armah wrote his first play, Bitter Herb, in 1998 became the second black British playwright to have his work on at the West End, with his play Elmina’s Kitchen, which grappled with family and crime in Hackney’s so-called murder mile.

“To walk into the Young Vic is to come face to face with everything I love about theatre, so I am beyond humbled, if not a little scared,” Kwei-Armah said. “But to lead this magnificent theatre at this time in our nation’s history, after such a visionary as David, excites me beyond words. I can’t wait to get started,” comments Kwei-Armah.

We are always proud when people find out who they are and stay true to who they are. We at Ghafla.com wish him well in his endeavours.