The Kiln Theatre in North London has announced that their Associate Director Amit Sharma is stepping up to the role of Artistic Director and CEO.
He will take over from current Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham, who announced in June 2023 that she is leaving the Kiln in early 2024.
There have been a number of high-profile artistic director moves in London over the last 12 months, including Vicky Featherstone set to leave the Royal Court, and Rufus Norris announcing that he is stepping down from the National Theatre. Rubasingham has recently directed a revival The Father and the Assassin at the National, and is widely tipped to be in the running for the top job.
Amit Sharma is an internationally award-winning director of theatre and TV. Before joining the Kiln Theatre as Associate Director, he was previously Deputy Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep, Associate Artistic Director at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, and Associate Director at Graeae Theatre Company.
Sharma directed the recent critically acclaimed production of Retrograde at the Kiln; and has also directed two productions at the National Theatre – The Solid Life of Sugar Water, which was a Graeae Theatre Company and Theatre Royal Plymouth co-production, and The Boy With Two Hearts.
He also co-directed Prometheus Awakes, an outdoor production featuring Deaf and disabled artists as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad; and Aruna and The Raging Sun in Chennai, India as part of UK/INDIA Year of Culture 2017.
Sharma is a BAFTA nominated screen director, for his two films which were part of the Criptales season on BBC and BBC AMERICA. He also co-directed the award-winning BBC and NETFLIX television drama Then Barbara Met Alan (Best Single Drama, 2023 Broadcast Awards).
Amit Sharma said in a statement: “Over the last 18 months, I’ve got to know first-hand how truly iconic the Kiln Theatre is. To become the next Artistic Director and CEO is such a huge honour and to follow Indhu, who has always been a huge inspiration to me, is beyond my wildest dreams. I want to thank Sita and the Board for offering me this opportunity, and I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of working with them and forging the future that lies ahead. The Kiln is a theatre right at the heart of its community – a beacon for the people of Brent, bringing audiences to the borough from across London, the UK and internationally. There’s a magic that happens on that stage, and I look forward to working with the brilliant team there to bring that to audiences as we embrace this new phase together. I am absolutely buzzing for this next chapter.”
Chair of the Board Sita McIntosh said: “I’m thrilled that after two months of working through almost 40 applications we have entrusted the role of Artistic Director and CEO of Kiln Theatre to Amit Sharma who is currently an Associate Director with us. Amit has already proved his directorial credentials, most recently with Ryan Calais Cameron’s Retrograde which opened to five-star reviews and completely sold out, but he also impressed the selection panel with his commitment to Kiln Theatre and our values, his artistic vision for the future and his 360 view of what the building can represent and offer the local community of Brent. The Board and I look forward to working with Amit to see that vision realised in 2024 and beyond.”
Current Artistic Director and CEO Indhu Rubasingham said: “I am very excited about the appointment of Amit Sharma as the new Artistic Director of Kiln Theatre. He is a person and an artist I greatly admire and respect. His integrity, values and talent are immense. I could not be happier about this appointment and have no doubt he will lead Kiln Theatre in this next chapter, both brilliantly and to further heights.”
Currently playing at the Kiln Theatre is Mlima’s Tale until 21 October 2023, followed by new musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) from 9 November 2023, starring Dujonna Gift and Sam Tutty.
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