Welcome Tafsila Khan – Our New TAD

After an extensive and in-depth recruitment process, Extant are delighted to announced that Tafsila Khan has been appointed as the second Trainee Artistic Director (TAD2) and will start her role in December 2024.

Tafsila is access consultant and theatre maker from Wales with a passion for creating real stories and giving a voice to those who are usually unheard. She’s been a Creative Associate at Wales Millennium Centre, a board member for Arts Council Wales and is Access Coordinator at Taking Flight Theatre.

“I’m excited about my new role as a Trainee Artistic Director at Extant because it offers a unique opportunity to learn and grow in an environment that truly values accessibility and diverse storytelling. The mentorship I’ll receive will be invaluable, providing me with guidance from experienced leaders who understand the challenges and opportunities in theatre-making.

It will allow me to expand my creative vision and the extensive training opportunities will help me refine my dramaturgical and directorial techniques. I’m looking forward to networking with a range of artists and industry professionals, which will enrich my practice and open doors for future collaborations. Extant’s focus on innovation and inclusivity makes this an exciting next step in my artistic journey.” Tafsila Khan.

The appointment of our second Trainee Artistic Director is one part of the Extant Evolve programme – a multi-year project which is enabling Extant to review how it works and create new and radically inclusive forms of leadership for the future. Extant CEO and Artistic Director Maria Oshodi says:

“We are delighted that our second Trainee Artistic Director role has gone to Tafsila – a former Pathways Director, which demonstrates the company’s on-going commitment to develop the best visually impaired talent and leadership across the UK.”

The four-month recruitment process for TAD2, saw 18 national and international applicants (an increase of 60% on the previous round) and a number of innovations including:

• Our first TAD – Benjamin Wilson – lead the Stage 1 and Stage 2 interview process, putting into practice the training and experience he had gathered over his tenure
• Employing 6 visually impaired theatre makers to support the interview panel at Stage 2 of the interview process, examining and interrogating the applicants’ proposals and practical workshop
• A three-month application window with 2 x online FAQ sessions where potential candidates met with different members of the Extant team and asked questions about the role

“I found the interview process to be quite intense and rigorous – which definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone – but through the process I learned a lot more about my own knowledge and skills which will hopefully benefit me in my new role.”

Through the Trainee Artistic Directorships, Extant are being the change they want to see, developing new models of artistic leadership shaped by creatives from underrepresented backgrounds. Our first TAD – Benjamin Wilson – offers these words of advice for Tafsila:

“I have found the best way to learn how to be a leader is to lead. Take charge, grab the organisation by the horns and make some exciting stuff happen. Make this job whatever you need it to be. You will do it differently to how I did it because we are different people, with different priorities and different strengths. I am excited to hear what you do with this job and how you go about it.”

Evolve addresses the challenges faced by disabled people in sustaining creative careers and we will showcase Tafsila’s journeys in talks, workshops and the press, as well as sharing our learning widely.

November 2024