Solange Urdang, co-founder of the Black British Theatre Awards (BBTA) was today invested as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The investiture, which took place at Windsor Castle and was conducted by [TBC], is in recognition of a career dedicated to uplifting marginalised communities through the creative arts.
Urdang comes from a long line of activists who have used artistic expression to drive societal change. Most notably, her mother Leonie Urdang fled apartheid South Africa for London in the 1960s, before founding the North London Academy in 1970 which later became The Urdang Academy in1978. The academy, which was acquired by City, University of London in 2022, built up a reputation as one of the best places to study professional dance and musical theatre in the world.
Urdang, herself an alumnus of the academy, oversaw its operations from 2001 to 2022. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, she raised between £350,000 to £500,000 for student scholarships at the academy as well as discretionary maintenance bursaries which further helped students meet their financial needs.
She has also campaigned relentlessly for greater diversity in professional musical theatre and dance training through her position on various boards and panels. To further highlight and celebrate the influence of Black performers and creatives in the UK’s artistic legacy, Urdang co-founded the Black British Theatre Awards in 2018.
“It’s an incredible honour to be invested with an OBE, but I wouldn’t be standing here today without the support of those who’ve helped me along the way,” she says. “I also hope that this award inspires others to pick up the mantle and fight for greater diversity in British theatre and the wider performing arts community.”
In addition to her direct campaigning and charitable work, Urdang is the founder of the Link Artists Talent Agency, Urdang International, The Dang Syllabus and The Global Performing Arts Alliance. She is also a patron of many dance schools and a trustee of charities, including Education Africa.
The Black British Theatre Awards celebrates its 6th ceremony later this year, with nominations open from 1st June. Members of the public are invited to nominate their favourite black theatre professionals, both on and off the stage, at www.blackbritishtheatreawards.com.
