artist development

Kali Theatre is a creative home for female-identifying and non-binary artists of South Asian descent. Across everything we do, we are committed to one thing: putting artists and their ideas at the centre.

Our programmes

  • Two women sitting and talking, one with long dark hair and the other with curly hair, both holding papers, in a warmly lit room with autumn-themed decor.

    Discovery


    A 6-month writers development programme. We seek out talented writers of South Asian descent whose work has not yet been professionally produced, offering a supported pathway into the industry. Previous Discovery partners include: Hampstead Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, Oldham Coliseum, Leicester Curve, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Theatre in the Mill.

    The programme has a strong track record of progression, with writers moving on to professional commissions and major productions.

    Coming Soon
  • Group of five diverse young women posing playfully in a room with decorative wall panels and brick wall background. One woman is sitting on the floor with her legs extended, smiling and making peace signs. Others stand or crouch around her, smiling, making peace signs, and striking playful poses, with one woman raising her hand in a victory sign.

    Kali Hubs


    A national programme for playwrights ready to take the next step. For graduates of Discovery or those who have written plays already. Across four intensive masterclasses we will explore different aspects of theatre-making and playwriting to develop your practice.

    These will focus on devising and collaborating, self producing, climate dramaturgy, and creative leadership with coaching from leading industry practitioners.

    Coming Soon
  • A woman in a red dress with floral patterns holding a bouquet of flowers, standing against a green backdrop, wearing jewelry including earrings and a headpiece.

    Kalisthenics


    Our new 6-month artist development programmed for established South Asian female and non-binary artists of any discipline. It combines financial support, artistic mentorship and practical infrastructure to enable participants to develop ambitious new work.

    This year it will culminate in a month-long celebration of new work by our resident artists and the future of British theatre. It will be artist development in action - a public showcase of bold, experimental work that we’ve been nurturing all year.

    Coming Soon
  • Three women dressed in traditional Indian attire participating in a ritual, with one woman seated and holding a tray with ceremonial items, and two women standing behind her in a dimly lit room.

    Major Commissions


    We commission and develop ambitious new work which centres world-building as well as text-building.

    Our commissions are nurtured over several years in partnership with national and international co-producers, until they are ready to find their audience.

    Script Submissions

what artists gain

  • Time and space to experiment, take risks and develop new ideas

  • Specialist mentorship from leading practitioners

  • Dramaturgical support rooted in culturally informed understanding

  • Financial support including commissions, bursaries and development funding

  • Public platforms to share work with industry and audiences

  • Peer networks that sustain careers and spark future collaborations

  • A pathway into Kali's producing ecology and beyond

why it matters

Person with curly hair wearing a white hooded coat, holding onto a green metal frame, looking at the camera with a serious expression, dark background.
Person with curly hair wearing a white hooded coat, holding onto a green metal frame, looking at the camera with a serious expression, dark background.

South Asian women and non-binary artists remain under-represented in British theatre—on stages, in creative leadership, and in the rooms where decisions are made. Kali exists to change that.

Over three decades, we have developed more than 50 new plays, supported hundreds of artists, and introduced thousands of new audience members to contemporary theatre. Our alumni write for the BBC, the Royal Court, the Bush and beyond. Their voices have transformed UK drama.

But our work is not just about who gets to write. It's about who gets to shape the theatrical worlds those stories live in. Designers, composers, directors, lighting and sound artists—all of them are essential to the future of theatre. And all of them belong here.

Get in Touch

Whether you're a writer picking up a pen for the first time, a theatre-maker with a bold idea that begins with an image or a sound, or an artist ready to take the next step in your career—Kali is your home.

We are building the future of theatre, together.