Vaughan & Keogh’s Story Collective appoints Young Vic’s Kwame Kwei-Armah to board

Kwame Kwei-Armah (Source: Story Collective, Aaron Imuere)

Simon Vaughan and Damian Keogh’s UK prodco The Story Collective has added director, writer, actor and artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah to its board.

Kwei-Armah, who has been leading creative at the Young Vic Theatre in London for the past six years, will work with the Fifth Season-backed company on projects in development and assist talent relationships.

He is currently in post-production on his feature film directorial debut The Collaboration, written by Anthony McCarten and based on the play he directed in both its debut London run at the Young Vic and its Broadway transfer.

He also recently exec produced The Black British Theatre Awards and Play in a Day for Sky Arts, while screen writing credits include the upcoming Spike Lee directed Boner and an episode of Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle.

Kwei-Armah was previously artistic director of Baltimore Center Stage in Maryland, US, and before that was a playwright with credits on Tree, co-created with Idris Elba, and Elmina’s Kitchen.

“The talent already part of its portfolio is beyond inspiring and I hope to learn so so much by being in close proximity to Damian, Simon and the team,” Kwei-Armah said.

The Story Collective (fka The Story Company) was launched in 2021 by BBC Studios alum Helen Jackson and Lookout Point duo, Vaughan and Keogh. Last year, it invested in Kate Croft’s scripted firm Artis Pictures and ex-Channel 4 commissioner Rachel Springett’s Maia Pictures.