Carolyn ML Forsyth’s 20-year track record demonstrates her dynamism and expertise as a detail-focused producer and arts manager, developed through senior roles across theatre, work with young people, outdoor site-specific productions, international touring, and festivals. In 2005, she was part of the leadership team responsible for launching the Unicorn Theatre, the UK’s first purpose-built children’s theatre building, and was recognised by Action for Children’s Arts for her contribution to the Theatre for Young Audiences sector.
Carolyn was also Vice Chair of the Steering Group and part of the leadership team that successfully delivered the London Borough of Culture programme in Croydon. She is currently Executive Director and Joint CEO of Talawa Theatre Company, the UK’s outstanding Black theatre company. Her work continues to champion equity, creativity, and meaningful collaboration across the cultural sector in the UK.
Certain Blacks Ensemble Festival 2026
This year’s programme explores identity, ritual, ecology, and collective experience through a dynamic mix of dance, music theatre, circus, and physical storytelling. Highlights include Fragments of Us from Talawa Theatre in collaboration with contemporary dance company FUBUNATION and award-winning artist Sonia Hughes, a dance and spoken word performance exploring ancestry, belonging, and shared experiences. Garbh by Shyam Dattani and Mira Salat reimagines Gujarati folk dance Garba through contemporary choreography and visually rich design, while ElevateHer by Daughters of the Wire celebrates female camaraderie and empowerment through wire walking performance.
Sophia A Jackson: This year, Talawa Theatre celebrates its 40th anniversary – what an incredible milestone. What would you say are the three biggest achievements of this flagship organisation?
Carolyn ML Forsyth: Continuing to honour the legacy of our four incredible founders, Yvonne, Mona, Carmen and Inigo. Continuing to tour productions around the country and internationally despite an extremely challenging economic environment. Continuing to give Black artists room to explore, occasionally fail with grace, grow and ultimately achieve their artistic ambitions. Still existing 40 years later, there have been other amazing theatre companies that no longer exist.
Sophia A Jackson: Tell us about some of the exciting things Talawa will be doing to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Carolyn ML Forsyth: We will be celebrating with a showcase “Talawa Iconic” taking place 13th October at the iconic Hackney Empire. This will be an opportunity for audiences to take a walk through Talawa’s archives and experience a rich body of varied. It’s an important opportunity to fundraiser, to support our future programming and artist opportunities. Tickets are available!
Sophia A Jackson: What challenges do you face as an executive director?
Carolyn ML Forsyth: One of the biggest challenges is having to say no. There are always more ideas, opportunities and requests than there is the capacity or funding to support. A key part of my role is making difficult decisions about where our time, energy and resources will have the greatest impact, while staying true to our mission and long-term priorities. At the same time, we’re working to ensure the organisation continues to thrive in a challenging financial environment, which means staying resilient, adaptable and focused. It’s equally important that I keep myself and those around me motivated, so we can continue delivering ambitious work despite the challenges.
Sophia A Jackson: What does a typical day look like for you as an executive director?
Carolyn ML Forsyth: No two days are the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the role. My day might start with answering emails, writing reports or preparing papers for funders, trustees and other stakeholders, before moving into meetings with staff, partners, trustees and my heads of department. I have line management meetings with those who report directly to me, while also checking in with colleagues across the organisation.
Alongside this, I’m reviewing policies, resolving challenges as they arise, developing budgets, generating income and keeping a close eye on the overall health of the organisation. A key part of my role is representing the organisation which includes attending our productions, seeing other artists’ work and taking part in industry events, many of which happen outside standard working hours 10am-6pm.
Whatever the day brings, I make it a priority to spend time with the artists we support, ensuring our decisions remain connected to our mission and the communities we serve.
Sophia A Jackson: What makes you jump out of bed in the morning?
Carolyn ML Forsyth: A good day for me is a mixture of fun, challenge, people and a iced vanilla latte (I drink them all year round). I love having the opportunity to talk shop with my peers, exchange ideas and learn from others. Personally, having time to stop for a proper lunch break, I’m a real foodie, it helps the day flow much better. I do get hangry otherwise…
I also value uninterrupted time to focus on one thing at a time (not always possible with the role). I enjoy writing text for reports, so having quiet space to think and develop ideas is a real luxury.
Most rewarding of all is seeing the impact of the work. Watching audiences connect with and enjoy a production, knowing the hard work that went into making it happen, is incredibly satisfying, especially if I can do it with a Dark ‘n’ Stormy in my hand!
Sophia A Jackson: Why should we come to see Fragments of Us (in collaboration with Fubunation) as part of the Certain Blacks Ensemble Festival?
Carolyn ML Forsyth: This particular piece of work has been cooking for a minute, and we’re now at the point where we can present the full vision of three groundbreaking artistic minds. We love presenting outdoor shows – Fragments of Us is only the second outdoor show produced by Talawa to date, and we feel it is a fitting showcase of everything we stand for as an organisation: creativity, collaboration and platforming of new stories to new and existing audiences.
Sophia A Jackson: What tips would you give to a newbie to this industry who aspires to become an executive director?
Carolyn ML Forsyth: Get to know and understand every role aspect of the creative process. You ‘re not required to be an expert in any of them, but to be an effective and empathetic leader, you must understand how to give creatives what they need to do their jobs better. Also, budget conservatively; everything almost always costs more than you think!
Quick fire
Sophia A Jackson: First time going to the theatre and who took you?
Carolyn ML Forsyth: I don’t think it was my very first trip to the theatre, but the one that has stayed with me was seeing The Voyage of the Dawn Treader at Theatre Royal Plymouth with my school. It’s the earliest theatre experience I can vividly remember, and it sparked a fascination with live performance that has stayed with me ever since. My first ever memory of ‘theatre’ was my school nativity play and being angel Gabriel.
Sophia A Jackson: What was the last show you saw?
Carolyn ML Forsyth: The Black Nile a new play by writer Jason David, exploring themes of Black erasure, the trauma of colonialism, and historical exploitation. It was developed and showcased as a rehearsed reading during the Talawa Firsts festival
Sophia A Jackson: What is the one thing you think would make the theatre industry a better place?
Carolyn ML Forsyth: More resources to support the talent pipeline, both on stage and backstage, ensuring there are clear pathways for people to develop careers in the industry. That also starts earlier, with creative subjects in schools being properly valued and prioritised. And free quality chocolate in every theatre.
Need to know: The Certain Blacks Ensemble Festival takes place Sat 25 and Sun 26 Jul from 12-8pm at Royal Victoria Docks London E16 1FA – don’t miss Talawa’s Fragments of Us in collaboration with Fubunation | Visit Afridiziak Theatre News for our full theatre listings
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