Steven Kavuma

Steven Kavuma is a Ugandan-born, Welsh-raised writer and director, recognised as one of the most influential figures in theatre in The Stage 100 List 2020. His career spans theatre, television, and advocacy for diversity in the arts.

Previously, he served as Head of Programming at Seven Dials Playhouse and Course Leader at ArtsEd. His writing credits include DAL GAFAEL | HOLD ON for National Youth Theatre Wales, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, and Fio Theatre. He has been commissioned by the Royal Court Theatre, National Theatre Wales, and Swansea Grand Theatre. His play ANOTHER F***ING PLAY ABOUT RACE (longlisted for The Bruntwood Prize & Mustapha Matura Award ’22) has been developed by the Barbican Centre and Trafalgar Theatre. He was also one of the writers of GALWAD, Sky Arts’ groundbreaking multilingual, multiplatform television premiere set in a speculative future.

As a director, Steven’s work includes THE ENGLISH MOOR at the Globe Theatre, TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE at Seven Dials Playhouse, and ROMEO AND JULIET at the Globe Theatre / Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He has also directed TELEPORTATION by Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo (The Bunker Theatre) and BLUE/ORANGE by Joe Penhall (ALRA). His audio drama credits include DOCTOR WHO and TORCHWOOD productions for Big Finish, working with Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill, Indira Verma, and Sophie Aldred. As an associate director, he has worked on the UK tour of HOLES by Louis Sachar, STILL NO IDEA at the Royal Court Theatre, and AN OCTOROON at the National Theatre / Orange Tree Theatre.

Steven is the chair of LOYALTY, an artist development company based in Wales, and a patron of Angel Shed, an inclusive theatre company in Islington. He co-founded the Diversity School Initiative, a five-year campaign addressing under-representation in UK drama schools, collaborating with institutions such as ArtsEd, Bristol Old Vic, Guildhall, LAMDA, LIPA, Mountview, and RADA. He was also the co-founder of Uproot Productions, a Black-led production company using the arts to drive social change.