babirye bukilwa

babirye is an actor, model, poet and writer born and raised in pre-gentrified Bethnal Green. They are currently based in London.

babirye’s debut play …Blackbird Hour was shortlisted for the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2019, the inaugural Women’s Prize for Playwriting 2020 and The Alfred Fagon Award 2020. Their second play …Cake, an origin story to …Blackbird Hour debuted at Theatre Peckham in 2021 directed by malakai sargeant (they/them) to critical acclaim including an Off Westend nomination for best production of 2021 and another nomination for best play of the year by The Alfred Fagon Award 2021.

babirye has taken part in BBC London Writers room, the introduction to playwriting at the Royal Court Theatre, and the Soho Writers' Lab. Their play The New Kingdom Of Kitara was shortlisted for the Tony Craze Award 2021 and awarded the ‘Highly Commended’ prize. babirye is currently an artist in residence at Soho Theatre for 2021.

babirye's play The Master’s House was commissioned by the National Youth Theatre in 2021 and a short film was made based off its themes.

babirye's poetry has been featured and published in SISTA! (Team Angelica Productions), The Colour of Madness Anthology: Exploring BAME Mental Health and Sweet Thang Magazine. They recently performed new poetry to a sold out run at the Barbican during Inua Ellams and Michelle Tiwo’s takeover celebrating Black British Girlhood and the blockbuster film Rocks.