Rifco Associates is a bespoke programme led by Associate Director Ameet Chana and Artistic Director Pravesh Kumar. It has been specifically created to address the lack of opportunities and pathways for British South Asian artists.
Rifco Associates was launched in 2015 to address the lack of opportunity for British Asian artists in the theatre sector. Artists from a range of artistic practices including writers, lyricists, composers, designers, aerial artists and spoken word performers have been supported through the programme.
All candidates receive a bursary alongside mentoring support, writer-in-residence days and masterclasses with industry leaders to develop their monologue over the year. Each of the new Associate pieces will be filmed and made available online as well as be performed in a live showcase event.
The programme is led by Rifco Theatre Company’s Associate Director, Ameet Chana, who himself, came through the Associate programme.
"Everyone at Rifco welcomed me with open arms… I am often ’the other’, but at Rifco I never felt like an outsider."
Christine Lalla, Year Two Associate
All places for this year's Rifco Associates programme have now been filled. Follow us on our socials or sign up to our mailing list to be notified about next year's call-out.
This year, we've selected a cohort of new and mid-career writers and writer/performers from British South Asian backgrounds to develop scripts for short-form digital content.
"What I really admire about Rifco is how it produces work for South Asian audiences who would not usually go to theatre, and it’s a pleasure and a privilege to be part of that."
Karim Khan, Year Two Associate