In conversation… The Black British Theatre Awards 2023 (interview)

The Black British Theatre Awards (BBTA) is an annual event that celebrates the achievements and contributions of Black actors, directors, dancers, and other British creative professionals.

The awards were established to address the underrepresentation of Black talent in the UK theatre scene. To highlight outstanding productions and individuals. The awards cover various categories, including acting, directing, playwriting, and of course… dance!

BBTAs celebrated their 5th anniversary at the National Theatre on 29 October 2023. 🎊 🎊

unique tay spoke with the dance winner and nominee in today's dance newsletter. Read on to learn more about their choreographic journey and success.

Black British Theatre Awards logo

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🏆 AWARD CATEGORY 🏆

Best Choreographer or Movement Director Award 2023

• Winner: Mthuthuzeli November, Nina: By Whatever Means - UK Tour

• Nominees: Kloe Dean, Tambo & Bones - Actors Touring Company and Theatre Royal Stratford East

• Nominees: Tinovimbanashe Sibanda - She/Her The Importance of Being Earnest - UK Tour

Best Dance Production or Performer Award 2023

• Winner: Isabela Coracy, Nina: By Whatever Means - UK Tour

• Nominees: Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black, Nina: By Whatever Means - UK Tour

• Nominees: Tonyé Scott-Obené, I Am Here - UK Tour

Founders of BBTAs m- (Left) Solange Urdang and (right) Omar F. Okai

1. Congratulations on your dance award nomination! How does it feel...?    

   Coracy: Thank you. It feels good and I’m thankful for that achievement in my career.

   Tinovimbanashe Sibanda: Honestly so encouraging! The nomination came at a time when I was doubting if I should be pursuing my creative voice (I perform as well) so it felt like a beautiful reminder to keep going!   

2. Can you tell us about the work that led to your nomination?  

   Tinovimbanashe Sibanda: The nomination was for The Importance of Being Earnest directed by Denzel Westley-Sanderson. A big part of the vision was to shine a light on the forgotten black and brown folk of the Victorian era and deconstruct our perception of how they moved and physically took up space in public vs behind closed doors.

   Coracy: The work process of creating my character as the one and only Nina Simone, with Ballet Black company was one of my hardest works, as a principal dancer leading a piece requires extra attention as we are nine dancers on stage telling a true history of a human and a musician of all times, I had to be extra patient to be sure that everyone was involved and not make this piece as a solo artist in a yellow dress. From day one I set my goal and I was 100% there 10am to 5pm, to pointe shoes on and focus on with the choreographer Mthuthuzeli November. Before I started the dance creation it was a lot of searching, repetitions and changes in choreography.

3. What does being nominated for this award mean to you personally and professionally?

   Tinovimbanashe Sibanda: I have been grafting away for the past couple of years trying to define and reclaim my voice so the nomination felt like a “you are on track”. Especially because I want my art to also serve my community so the recognition from the BBTA’s felt so necessary in my journey.

   Coracy: Personally, what an honour to be nominated and have the opportunity to be at the BBTAS. So happy to be in my second year as a nominee and this time a winner of my category. Professionally, it is a huge moment in my career right now and it doesn’t stop here, with that award I want to be recognised in Brazil, my country and here in the UK. As a Black artist and a dancer be able to represent art and inspire black ballet dancers and others in the dance industry, teaching, coaching, dancing or choreographing, not only for the theatres but also in different areas TV, magazines, brands of clothes and shoes, commercials and much more where my art can reached.

4. What role do you think awards and recognition play in the dance industry, and how can they help to support and promote artists? 

   Coracy: It’s incredible to have an award event for recognition for dance because I believe it is one of the hardest professions and it’s important to remember what the artist played on stage. It was memorable to be recognised and that moment of receiving the award is one of the biggest motivations and that is promoting the artist for the next steps to keep doing and keep moving forward. 

5. How do you think winning this award will impact your career and your future work in dance?

   Coracy: Dance is always evolving, and as a professional ballet dancer and best performer award winner of the Black British Theatre Award 2023, I believe that’s my moment and the impact has been made on my career and now is the time that everything starts to happen for my future work in dance, I’ll keep believing in me and my work.

unique tay at the BBTas 2023 - National Theatre

🖤 Why Celebrate Black Excellence 🖤

So… celebrating performing arts and creative awards plays a crucial role in fostering a vibrant and cultural landscape. Celebrating diversity, such as the BBTAs, is a great way to highlight a more inclusive and equitable society. Where the achievements of individuals from all backgrounds are acknowledged and celebrated.

We took a liking to the various award categories that can be often overlooked, listed below. 

🏆 ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 🏆

• BEST RECENT GRADUATE AWARD

• Winner: Leah Vassell, ArtsEd

• BEST TEACHER AWARD

• Winner: Erina Lewis,  Platinum Academy

• DISABILITY CHAMPION AWARD

• Winner: Kyrelle Lammy

• LGBTQIA+ CHAMPION AWARD

• Winner: Myles Hart

• LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

• Winner: Yvonne Jones Brewster OBE

• THE LORD HASTINGS OF SCARISBRICK AWARD

• Winner: Cedric Neal

Read the full awards and winner list at BBTAs 2023.

Congratulations to all winners and nominees 🖤 🎊

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