Following their latest national tour of Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s Dishoom, Rifco Theatre Company have appointed actor and director Ameet Chana as Associate Director.
This new role for Rifco Theatre Company will expand their current programme of work with a particular focus on their Studio and Digital programmes as well as their vital artist development work through the Rifco Associates scheme. It has been made possible through additional investment from Arts Council England NPO funding 2018-22.
Ameet Chana, best known for his roles in Bend It Like Beckham and EastEnders, alongside his work on Sunrise Radio’s weekend breakfast show, has had a varied stage and screen career including working directly with Rifco Theatre Company both as an actor and Assistant Director.
Alongside directing Rifco Theatre Company’s next Studio production in Autumn 2019, Chana will also support Artistic Director, Pravesh Kumar, on the company’s support of emerging British Asian artists and the development of new digital projects.
On his new role Chana comments; “I have had a very close working with relationship with Rifco since its inception 18 years ago. Having worked as an actor in a number of Rifco Theatre Company’s shows, supported Pravesh Kumar as Assistant Director on Laila – The Musical and co-curated the British Asian Festival in 2016 – it seems the natural path for me to become a more regular fixture within the dedicated team of Rifco Theatre Company.
This new role will be an exciting challenge but also a huge responsibility. I am driven to produce and champion British Asian voices and to ensure we keep fighting for inclusion across the sector, advocating for more artists from diverse backgrounds to be in decision- making and leadership roles within the arts, particularly theatre.”
Chana will also be heading up the development of Rifco Theatre Company’s digital arm, Rifco Digital, which most recently commissioned Vidhu Sharma’s ‘I am British Asian’ to celebrate the opening of their British Asian Festival 2018.
Artistic Director, Pravesh Kumar commented, “This is a very exciting announcement and I am thrilled that Ameet Chana officially now joins our team as Associate Director. He has a long history of working with the company and has made a huge contribution to our success. I am genuinely committed to giving real, practical opportunities to diverse artists in the sector so that they can influence and lead programming. Leadership at the top of regional theatre has to change and this role will be integral in developing a new top table.”
Find out more about Rifco Theatre Company’s upcoming programme of work and Associates programme at www.rifcotheatre.com
