Natalie Ibu is the artistic director and CEO of tiata fahodzi and leads a consortium in delivering the Artistic Director Leadership Programme – a strategic project funded by the Arts Council England’s Sustain Theatre Fund, facilitating the professional development of 28 leaders of colour. Previously she was the Creative Producer for In Good Company, launching the regional artist development programme in the East Midlands for Derby Theatre, Embrace Arts Leicester and Create Mansfield.
During her 15 year arts management career, she has consulted for independent theatre companies like Openworks Theatre, Maison Foo, Fifth Word, Bear Trap Theatre Company and Spilt Milk Dance, led departments and programmes at the Roundhouse, Only Connect, HighTide Theatre and worked at the Traverse Theatre, Citizens Theatre and National Museums Scotland.
As director, credits include readings and productions at Paines Plough’s Roundabout, Watford Palace Theatre, Riverside Studios, Young Vic, Lyric, Southwark Playhouse, Southbank Centre, Jersey Arts Trust, The Old Vic Tunnels, Theatre503, The Gate, Latitude, HighTide, BAC, Oran Mor, Traverse, Royal Court, ATC at the Young Vic, OVNV at The Old Vic, Waterloo East and The Vineyard Theatre in New York, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Citizens’, The Arches, Contact and Nottingham Playhouse as well as national tours. Since graduating with a First Class Honours degree in 2004, she has completed the IETM Campus, Clore Leadership Programme Short Course, Stage One New Producers Workshop as well as residencies with the Royal Court, New Perspectives, New York Theatre Workshop, the National Theatre Studio, Royal Shakespeare Company, Citizens’ Theatre and Contact. She has been awarded bursaries from Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme, the Federation of Scottish Theatre, Scottish Arts Council and Arts Council East Midlands. Awards include Dewar Arts Award for Exceptional Artists Under 30, Time Warner Ignite 2, IdeasTap Innovator’s Award and the Lilian Baylis Award for Theatrical Excellence. She is a trustee of the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme and an Arts Council England South East Area Council Member.