Solange Urdang is a British activist, co-founder of the Black British Theatre Awards (BBTA) and CEO of the Urdang Academy (from 2001 until 2022), founded by her late mother Leonie.[1]
Personal life
editUrdang is the daughter of Leonie Urdang, founder of the Urdang Academy in London in 1970. Leonie was originally from Cape Town in South Africa and fled the country in the 1960s because of the consequences of apartheid.[2]
Urdang herself studied at the academy (Lower and Upper Schools) and at the High School of Performing Arts in New York.[3]
On 4 May 2024 she was invested as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), recognising her career dedicated to uplifting marginalised communities through the creative arts.[4] The ceremony took place at Windsor Castle and was conducted by Prince William.
Urdang Academy
editUrdang took over the role of CEO of the Urdang Academy from her mother, Leonie, from 2001 until 2022. She continued her mother's legacy and carried over her vision to break barriers in the dance world.[5]
Urdang was instrumental in moving the school to the Old Finsbury Town Hall location (from its previous Covent Garden base), its expansion and most recently its acquisition by City University, London.
The Dang Collective
editIn 2021 Urdang started the Dang Collective, a new Arts and Education Company, focusing on pre-vocational and professional training in dance and musical theatre. The Collective officially launched on 1 August 2022.[6]
Its divisions include:
-the Dang Academy, offering training with professionals from the West End
-the Dang Theatre and Dance Syllabus
-the Dang Global
-Dang part-time courses and associates, short courses in dance and musical theatre
-link talent agency
Black British Theatre Awards
editIn 2018 Urdang co-founded the Black British Theatre Awards with Omar F. Okai to recognize black excellence in British theatre. The awards are held yearly since and categories include performers, directors, writers, producers and all the behind the scenes technicians.[7]
References
edit- ^ OBE, Black British Theatre Awards co-founder Solange Urdang invested with. "Black British Theatre Awards co-founder Solange Urdang invested with OBE". One Dance UK. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ "Founder | The URDANG Academy". 2014-09-03. Archived from the original on 2014-09-03. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ "About The Dang - The Dang". 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ OBE, Black British Theatre Awards co-founder Solange Urdang invested with. "Black British Theatre Awards co-founder Solange Urdang invested with OBE". One Dance UK. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ "About us – URDANG". urdang.city.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ "About The Dang - The Dang". 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ "About the Black British Theatre Awards | Pioneering Excellence in Performance". Black British Theatre Awards. Retrieved 2024-09-18.