Born and currently living in New York, Baba Israel is a director, producer, poet, emcee, theatre and hip hop artist. He has toured across the US, Europe, South America, Australia and Asia, performing with artists such as
Outkast, The Roots, Rahzel, Ron Carter, Afrika Bambaataa, Vernon Reid, and
Bill Cosby. He is co-founder and Artistic Director of
Playback NYC Theatre Company which aims to bring theatre to under-represented communities.
As a teacher he works in a wide range of disciplines and works with
Urban Word, BAM, Arts Horizons, and
New World Theatre. His commitment to nurturing emerging talent and developing the skills of young people is demonstrated through his workshops at schools through the
Open Thought Arts programme.
Previous directorial work includes the
Project 2050 (New World Theatre), Maxwell Golden (UK) and
Sharpening Sawds (UK). He already has a strong relationship with Contact and was well-received by audiences as a performer in
Process (2008) and
Boombap! Showtime (2008).
Baba Israel will start his new post in the Summer and is delighted to be joining Contact;
‘In 2005 when I came to Contact, I was blown away by the community I encountered and returned to New York describing the place as a model venue for cutting edge, diverse and innovative young people’s art, where young people like to feel at home, take risks and grow as people. I have worked there as a performer, educator, and director and I am honoured to now become the Artistic Director of such a forward thinking organisation.’
Charles Lauder, Contact’s Chairman says “This is a thrilling appointment at a pivotal time for Contact. Baba Israel has an international pedigree and has undertaken remarkable work for and with young people. He brings a range of attributes and talents that make him ideally suited to inspire and lead the young people who are at the heart of Contact’s activities as well as its vibrant management team. We are hugely excited at the prospect of Baba taking us on the next stage of Contact’s continuing development."
Contact is a pioneering theatre in Manchester and one of the most successful theatres for young people in the country. It has an established international reputation for exciting new work, young diverse audiences, and international collaboration.
