Staying Strong As A Black Director In White Theaters

Inhalt: What does it take to create bold, uncompromising theatre in spaces where you are often the exception rather than the norm? Host Benedicta Delali Agbeko sits down with award-nominated director Azeret Koua to talk about identity, artistic freedom, and navigating Germany's predominantly white theatre landscape. From growing up between cultures to reimagining the myth of Cassandra through BASSANO, Azeret reflects on the power of untold stories, the politics of representation, and why theatre must confront the conversations society would rather avoid. Together, they explore creative belonging, resilience, and what it means to keep making fearless art—even when the system isn't built for you. Mit: Benedicta Delali Agbeko is a Ghanaian creative entrepreneur, cultural strategist, and Co-founder of BLK STAR NOIR. She works with innovative projects at the intersection of art, fashion, culture, and community development, using creativity to preserve African heritage and empower emerging talent. Passionate about social impact and international collaboration, she is committed to creating opportunities that strengthen communities and showcase Ghanaian creativity on the global stage. Azeret Koua (she/her; born 1993 in Detroit) is a director who grew up as a "third-culture kid"—surrounded by many languages ​​and even more questions—in the USA, Germany, and China. After a winding path (studying Theatre Studies and Art History at LMU Munich, followed by assistantships at Schauspiel Dortmund and the Residenztheater in Munich), she joined the artistic leadership team at Theaterhaus Jena (2024–26). On stage, she focuses on the subjects people prefer not to discuss: social and political taboos and points of friction, overlooked narratives, and misrepresented perspectives. Her toolkit includes pop culture, surrealism, music, and a brand of humor that refuses to play nice. Azeret’s work revolves around freedom—freedom from systems, norms, and occasionally, from herself. In 2025, her production *rhapsody* was invited to the Radikal Jung Festival, and she was nominated as Best Emerging Artist by *Theater Heute*. She hasn’t found that freedom yet—it is likely hiding in her next production. Grafikdesign: @wingtschong Presented by: @salonebony_blacktheaternetwork @formationnow Curation: M&M (Miriam Ibrahim & Mable Preach) This podcast is funded by the Authority for Culture of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. (Dieser Podcast wird gefördert von der Behörde für Kultur Hansestadt Hamburg) Dieses Projekt ist gefördert von der Behörde für Kultur und Medien Hansestadt Hamburg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.