Hi I'm Shannon George, but professionally known as Shantí. 8 years ago I studied Theatre Arts and Directing at university. I birthed Brownstone Studios, a film and theatre production company celebrating Black British talent in the UK and globally.
I have actively been screenwriting, producing and directing since 2019 and in that time have created sold out theatre shows, created numerous short films and have written for TV and Film. I have had the privilege to have worked alongside the New Arts Exchange (NAE), the UK’s largest gallery dedicated to contemporary visual arts from the Global Ethnic Majority. With funds provided from the Arts Council I was commissioned as a producer to work alongside Boabab Pictures and the New Arts Exchange to produce a short film, which was premiered at NAE and later screened at Broadway Cinema in October 2024.
First Theatre show performance
Short films - Film Festivals
There is still a big issue in theatre that needs changing and addressing... onstage racial diversity and black female playwrights. It saddened me when Francesca Amewudah-Rivers who starred as Juliet alongside Tom Holland in the West End faced a harrowing amount of racial abuse, trolling and even death threats, for simple playing Juliet. We need change and a lot of it.
This is where you come in!
And just to say thank you for making it this far, it means so much to us at Brownstone studios and I really hope you can help us achieve this goal. My desire is to be a contributor that creates meaning impact in the industry and rewrites history. Hopefully this Crowdfunder means something to you, just as much as it means something to us.
Why do we need your help?
The industry is hard and very everyman for themselves almost. Funding applications can be very vigorous and even uphold biases. Biases that we want to dismantle and allow the proportion of funds allocated to be more equitable, especially amongst the global majority. We at Brownstone Studios, want to diversify theatre spaces and platform work that is created by Black British Playwrights.
A 2024 REPORT FROM THE BBTA ACT FOR ACTION:
"The Act for Action Report has seen inequality in opportunities for Black professionals within the British theatre industry as a result of systemic barriers that hinder career advancement and equality. 74.6% of respondents highlighted unequal opportunities for Black professionals on stage, with an equally concerning 75.2% reporting disparities off stage. These findings validate a pervasive imbalance in access to roles, projects, and leadership positions within the industry, perpetuating exclusion and limiting professional growth. A significant number of respondents expressed frustration over the lack of equal opportunities for career progression within the theatre industry. Many reference systemic barriers such as limited mentorship, biased promotion practices, and inadequate support for skill development as key challenges."
We see the need and we hope you see it to, to help us fulfil the important changes we want to make in the creative industry.
How will the funds help?
We have created this budget according to the ITC (Independent Theatre Council) this ensures FAIR PAY creating salaries against verified bodies in the creative industry. The Grand total for the entire production is: £43,462.96, this will allow us to:
- Secure a venue for a 4 day show
- 2 weeks worth of a rehearsal space
- Hiring Crew (Production manager, lighting and sound technician, actors, producer, set designer and director)
- Fair Pay for all
- Travel expenses & accommodation
We need to raise a minimum of £3,500 and then we will submit an application through to The Arts Council, to support with the remaining total of our budget.
Please send this fundraiser around town and tell somebody! Every little helps and thank you for making this possible.
Check out www.BrownstoneStudios.com for see our work and follow us on social media BrownstoneStudios Instagram
Love Shantí & Brownstone Studios