As we near the end of Black History Month, Maya Productions’ Ada Onyekwelu speaks with Lydia Idakula, Producer of M.A.B.E.L, about what Black History Month means to her and the wider conversation about representation within the arts sector.

This year’s Black History Month theme, Honouring Our Communities, celebrates the people, relationships and networks that support us and help our communities thrive.

How do you honour the communities that have shaped you?

I think one of the most important ways I honour the communities that have shaped me is by making sure their stories are heard, seen and valued. Whether through theatre, film or cultural projects, I’m interested in the stories that might otherwise be overlooked, and in contextualising our histories, especially those that have been lost, silenced or deliberately buried.

My work has taught me that community isn’t just about where you come from; it’s also about the people who show up, open doors, share knowledge and cheer you on. And of course, you have to do the same for others. None of us gets anywhere alone!

How has your Nigerian heritage and/or culture influenced your work and the stories you choose to tell or are drawn to?

My Nigerian heritage influences pretty much everything I do, from the stories I’m drawn to, to how I understand community, identity and the world around me. I’m fascinated by our histories, our traditions, our contradictions, our values, our humour, our love for food and home, and the sheer creativity with which we navigate life. There’s so much more to our stories than what the world has traditionally been shown, and I’m interested in exploring the bits that have been overlooked, misunderstood or deliberately left out. I want to tell stories that entertain, challenge perceptions and make people curious enough to ask questions. 

Through personal projects such as Queen Idia the Musical, you celebrate African history, creativity and identity. Why is it important to bring these stories to wider audiences? 

Because our stories deserve to be told, and not just to us, but to the world. With Queen Idia the Musical, I’m interested in more than celebrating an incredible African queen. It’s about understanding the history behind the mask, the people and the culture it represents, and how that history connects to conversations we’re still having today. So much of African history has been told through someone else’s lens, and sometimes not told at all. Bringing these stories to wider audiences helps us reclaim our narratives, challenge assumptions and give people a fuller picture of who we are. 

 As a producer and writer committed to championing underrepresented voices, what changes would you like to see in the UK arts and cultural sector to create greater opportunities for Black artists and creatives? 

I’d love to see a shift from simply making space for Black and Global Majority creatives to genuinely sharing power, resources and decision-making with us. Global Majority communities remain significantly underrepresented in the UK arts, particularly in leadership roles. We need better access to funding, networks and people who say yes with an open mind, allowing us to bring our differences, peculiarities and individuality without feeling the need to dilute who we are. We should feel that we belong, that we are deserving of the space, and that we have every right to shape, lead and build a sector that reflects us all.

What are you currently working on at Maya Productions? 

At Maya Productions, I’m currently working on M.A.B.E.L, a new musical exploring the lives of an Anglo-Indian working class family who moved from India to Sheffield in the 1960’s. We’ve been through an R&D process and are now working towards a full production in 2027, with plans for a tour in 2028/2029. Alongside the musical, we are working on Routes to Roots, a project exploring heritage, identity and belonging through creative work with young people and communities. I love being part of such important work that creates space for stories and experiences that are not always represented, while helping people connect with their histories and see something of themselves in the stories we tell.

How does Maya Productions’ mission to increase global majority representation and create social change connect with the importance of Black History Month? In addition, what role can theatre play in challenging unhelpful narratives and shaping a more inclusive future?  

I think they go hand in hand. Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate our contributions, but also to recognise how much of our history, creativity and influence is still missing from the wider narrative. That connects very much to Maya’s work and every project we undertake. There is a real intentionality behind what we do, not just in the stories we choose to tell, but in the voices, perspectives and talent we bring into the room and the opportunities we create along the way. It’s something I’m particularly proud of.

Theatre has a wonderful way of bringing people into someone else’s world, sometimes making them laugh, sometimes uncomfortable, and hopefully leaving them thinking differently. It creates space for us to reclaim narratives, broaden perspectives and help audiences see the world through different eyes. Most importantly, it allows us to move beyond simply being included in someone else’s story to having the space to tell our own, on our own terms. And that, for me, is everything.

Maya Productions is collaborating with Darts – Doncaster’s Creative Health and Learning Charity – to offer paid participatory traineeships for emerging and early career global majority artists.

We are recruiting two paid Participatory Artist Trainees who are at an early stage in their career or wish to expand their experience of using their artform to deliver participatory activities that impact positively on people’s life, learning and health. This is an incredible opportunity to learn, practise and develop alongside highly experienced artists.

We encourage artists of any age (above 18) to apply, as long as you are early on in your journey as a participatory arts practitioner. You may be a recent creative graduate, or an experienced artist who has never delivered workshops with others.

You may be a singer who wants to develop their expertise in leading a community choir, or a musician who wants to understand how to use their artform with adults with lived experience of mental ill health.

Our focus for these traineeships is artists whose artforms are movement, dance, theatre or music (singing, digital, percussion, instrumental, etc).

You could be an interdisciplinary artist who works across more than one artform.

A key aspect of this project is to develop the skills and career progression of global majority participatory arts practitioners in the field of Creative Health and Learning.

This call out is targeted at individuals who self-identify as a global majority background artist and who are local to South Yorkshire.

Key Dates:

Deadline: 9am, 13th April 2026

Interview dates (online): The morning of April 21st.

Traineeships: Each successful Trainee will be allocated 1 x 3-month opportunity during one of the following time periods:

• 5th– 23rd July 2026

Also, complete an equal opportunity monitoring form – HERE

Maya Productions is collaborating with Darts – Doncaster’s Creative Health and Learning Charity – to offer paid participatory traineeships for emerging and early career global majority artists.

We are recruiting five paid Participatory Artist Trainees who are at an early stage in their career or wish to expand their experience of using their artform to deliver participatory activities that impact positively on people’s life, learning and health. This is an incredible opportunity to learn, practise and develop alongside highly experienced artists.

We encourage artists of any age to apply, as long as you are early on in your journey as a participatory arts practitioner. You may be a recent creative graduate, or an experienced artist who has never delivered workshops with others.

You may be a singer who wants to develop their expertise in leading a community choir, or a musician who wants to understand how to use their artform with adults with lived experience of mental ill health.

Our focus for these traineeships is artists whose artform is movement, dance, or music (singing, digital, percussion, instrumental etc.). You could be an interdisciplinary artist who works across more than one artform.

A key aspect of this project is to develop the skills and career progression of global majority participatory arts practitioners in the field of Creative Health and Learning.

This call out is targeted at individuals who self-identify as a global majority background artist and who are local to South Yorkshire.

Key Dates:

Deadline: 9am 5th January 2026

Interview dates (online): The morning of January 12th and all-day January 13^th

Traineeships: Each successful Trainee will be allocated 1 x 3-month opportunity during one of the following time periods:

• 9th Feb – end of April 2026
• May – July 2026

Also, complete an equal opportunity monitoring form – HERE

Join Our Team!

PRODUCER: BENNY AND THE GREYCATS & ROUTES TO ROOTS

Also, complete an equal opportunity monitoring form – HERE

We are recruiting nine paid Artist Trainees who are at an early stage in their career or who are looking to grow their experience in using their artform to lead participatory, socially impactful work in areas of life, learning, and health.

This is a unique opportunity to learn, practise, and develop alongside experienced artists working in the fields of Creative Health and Learning.

We welcome applications from artists of all ages, as long as you are early in your journey as a participatory arts practitioner. You might be:

• A recent creative graduate,

• An experienced artist who has never delivered workshops,

• A singer interested in leading a community choir,

• Or a musician wanting to work with adults with lived experience of mental ill health.

We are particularly interested in artists working in movement, dance, drama, theatre, or music (including singing, digital, percussion, instrumental, etc.). Interdisciplinary artists who combine artforms are also encouraged to apply.

This programme specifically supports global majority artists (people who identify as Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, Indigenous to the global south, or have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’), living in South Yorkshire.

Key Dates:

• Application deadline: 9am, 15th September 2025

• Interviews (online): 23rd and morning of 24th September 2025

• Traineeships: Each Trainee will take part in one 3-month placement during one of the following periods:

  • October 2025 – January 2026

  • February – April 2026

  • May – July 2026

Also, complete an equal opportunity monitoring form – HERE

Join Our Team!

Also, complete an equal opportunity monitoring form – HERE

Maya makes world class, theatre, arts and heritage projects that create change, bringing together individuals and organisations who passionately want their work to enable racial justice and social change.

We are recruiting for an Executive Producer. Over the past three years, Maya Productions has experienced significant growth and, with the support of our board, developed an ambitious programme to build on this progress.

In this pivotal role, the Executive Producer will collaborate closely with our Artistic Director and Administrator/Project Producer to deliver annual business plans. Responsibilities will include overseeing organisational finances, governance, and policies, spearheading fundraising efforts, producing productions and projects, and supporting and line-managing freelance producers. The role will primarily be remote, with attendance at in-person meetings and project events as required.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for a global majority arts practitioner who is passionate about achieving racial justice and driving meaningful change in the arts sector.

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual with:

• Proven experience as a theatre producer, with a strong understanding of touring requirements.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities while staying calm, considerate, and solutions-focused.
• A passion for working with diverse communities across the UK.
• A commitment to Maya Productions’ mission and the ability to support the delivery of our ambitious programme of work.

Additional information

• Fee: Freelance position, £165 – £200 per day / £35,000 – £43,000 pro-rata (dependent on experience).
• Days: 3 days per week.
• Duration: 5 month contract, with the intention to transition into a permanent role.
• Start Date: March 2025.

The deadline is 9:00am, Thursday the 20th of February 2025.

Interviews: Wednesday 26th February 2025. 

Please state in your application if you are unavailable on the interview date. 

Please download the recruitment pack – HERE

Also, complete an equal opportunity monitoring form – HERE

Join us as we work to inspire change, champion inclusivity, and create impactful theatre.