Women & Theatre names new Directors

Women & Theatre has appointed ADAYA HENRY and KATHERINE HEWITT Artistic Director and Executive Director respectively. 

They will take over the co-leadership from JANICE CONNOLLY and JESS PEARSON in the autumn. 

Henry is an artist and actor with nearly a decade’s experience working in theatre, film and spoken word. She has spent the last two years, working with the arts and social justice organisation MAIA.

As a poet, she has been commissioned by Birmingham City Council and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, and was featured in Benjamins Zephaniah's Life & Rhymes on Sky arts.

Hewitt has more than a decade of third sector management experience as current Chief Executive of Birmingham-based Gateway Family Services. 

Before joining Gateway, she led on community empowerment for the New Deal for Communities Programme in Sandwell, West Midlands.

Hewitt said Women & Theatre have an “excellent reputation. I want to assist them in continuing to deliver the valuable work they have over the past 40 years for many years to come.” 

“Women & Theatre are a part of my heart," Henry added. "After working with them for the first time in 2016, Janice and the team have been some of my greatest teachers in using art to create social change.

“I am becoming a part of an already incredible legacy and I’m honoured to be bringing to it my love for art, people and Birmingham.”