British comedian, presenter, and social media creator Munya Chawawa is expanding his creative footprint from digital platforms to classical theatre, founding a dedicated initiative to introduce teenagers to the stage, according to the BBC.
From Digital Creator to Theatre Advocate
Munya Chawawa built a massive online following through satirical sketches and viral commentary, but his artistic ambitions now extend into the performing arts sector. According to the BBC, Chawawa first fell in love with live theatre at age 16 after seeing Disney’s The Lion King, which he described as feeling like “the best movie you’ve ever seen, but in real life.”
Returning to theatre spaces as an adult, however, Chawawa experienced a sense of alienation. According to the BBC, he recalled feeling out of place as a Black man attending certain productions, noting subtle social cues that made those environments feel unwelcoming.
The Catalyst: Ryan Calais Cameron’s Acclaimed Play
Chawawa’s perspective on live performance shifted significantly after he watched Ryan Calais Cameron’s play For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy. According to the BBC, Chawawa regards the production as the best play he has ever seen, prompting him to wish that every Black boy globally could experience it.
Driven by that reaction, Chawawa organized group outings for teenagers to see the production. According to the BBC, he described taking the youths to the show as “the most fulfilling and magical and deeply moving experience.”
Launching the Black Boys Theatre Club
Inspired by the teenagers’ positive responses, Chawawa established the Black Boys Theatre Club. According to the BBC, the club organizes monthly trips for young people to see diverse theatrical productions—ranging from literary adaptations like Dracula and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to contemporary works—followed by post-show discussions hosted at Nando’s restaurants.
“Every time we go and see a play, it’s not about the boys skipping out of it going, ‘I want to be the next Billy Elliot’,” Chawawa told the BBC. Instead, he emphasized that the initiative aims to show teenagers that theatre is a safe and welcoming space where they can thrive either on stage or in the audience as part of their cultural multiverse.
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