Theatre of Difference with Topher Campbell

Submit your application

Course Title

Theatre of Difference with Topher Campbell

‘The lives and experiences of Black LGBTQ+ people are not often centered in mainstream storytelling. How can we develop stories that speak to our ‘now’ in a way that isn’t tick boxing? How do we dare to imagine?’

This summer and autumn, Topher Campbell with be leading Central’s first mentoring programme for Black and Black LGBTQ+ artists interested in making work for the stage or interdisciplinary performance work.

It offers an opportunity for Black and Black LGBTQ+ artists to develop their creative practice in a safe and supportive environment. It is designed to help develop confidence and artistic bravery, encouraging artists to express their ideas no matter how radical, traditional, non-traditional or anarchic. Grounded in Black Performance theory including Afro-fabulation, spoken word, the body, mixed media work and staging memoir, the programme will reflect on Queer performance and theatre traditions and how they can be repurposed from an anti-colonial perspective.

The programme will be delivered over an intensive week in the summer, and three weekends in the Autumn. It will include practical masterclasses with Topher Campbell and the mentoring of individual work, and may also include guest artists.

If you are a Black or Black LQBTQ+ artist interested in participating in this mentoring programme, please apply here.

Course Dates

Monday 17 July - Friday 21 July

1 week, Mon - Fri, 10am – 5pm |  Submit your application


This mentoring programme is aimed at Black and Black LGBTQ+ artists with a performing arts project that they would like to develop.

Course feeAll places on this mentoring programme are bursary places subsidised by Central, with a small administration fee for participants.
Days Various. This course is delivered over 5 days. 
TimesAll times listed are either GMT or GMT +1 (depending on the time of year). If you’re joining from overseas, please use a timezone convertor before booking to establish what the local time will be for you. 
AgeThe minimum age is 18 on the first day of the course. There is no upper age limit.
Max. class size12 students
Course DeliveryAll of the Summer Short Courses take place onsite at our Swiss Cottage campus in London. 
International students

We welcome International Students to our courses, however please ensure you are on the correct visa.

As our Summer Short Courses are classed as part-time, non-accredited short courses they are not eligible for a Tier 4 Student Visa however you may be eligible for a Short Term Study Visa.

Language requirementsApplicants must be confident speaking and reading English to a conversational level (IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent). You may be expected to read texts/scripts that have advanced vocabulary.
AttendanceDue to the structure and the collaborative nature of the courses, full attendance is requested.
Cancellations Central reserves the right to cancel this course if we do not meet the minimum number of participants. In this instance, a full refund will be made to you. We are unable to refund any other costs you may have incurred.

Course Tutor

Topher Campbell

Topher Campbell is an Afro-Queer artist, filmmaker, archivist and educator. His work is interdisciplinary and based on an interdisciplinary approach embedded innovation and social justice.

Share this page