Sarah 'Rain' Kolawole

Personal profile

I am a playwright, spoken word artist, poet and facilitator.

I am currently a ‘Beyond’ Artist with Graeae Theatre and Derby Theatre developing a sensory piece of children’s theatre ‘AYO’ aimed at children with complex needs and multiple disabilities and their neurotypical peers.

I was awarded my Arts Council England DYCP (Developing Your Creative Practice) grant in 2023, and I am currently developing my writing and a mainstream script ‘Above Water’.

My writing style tends to be quite poetic and I’m excited about themes around relationships, siblings, ‘race’ and identity. My background as an adopted adult, youth worker, qualified Children’s Social Worker and research degree often trickles into my writing and facilitation approach.

Published writer

• 2024 – Seeds of Resistance anthology.
• 2023 – Ten Poems about Black History anthology.
• 2021 – Hear Me Now monologue Vol2

Writing Commissions, shows and sharings

• AYO – ACE funded R&D of children’s multisensory piece, at Derby Theatre. 2025.
• The Places Between – directed by Callum Berridge
  2021
• Derby Theatre – ‘Home Girl’ (Alex Wheatle) book
  adaptation for the main stage. 2020-22
• Nottingham Playhouse – My script ‘Rootless Island
  Baby’ had a rehearsed reading 2020 and 2021.
• Derby Book Festival – poetry performance and writing
  commission – 2018.

Performance summary

I have performed across the country at arts centres, theatres, festivals and events from 2003 – present.

• New Arts Exchange – Seeds of Resistance book launch
• performance poet – 2024.
• The Bunker Theatre – Take Over Festival performance
  poet – 2020.
• Derby Theatre – Culture Cares conference –
  performance poet 2018.
• Windrush 70 poetic Tribute – Performance poet – 2018
• Derby Theatre – Check in Festival – pitch and
  performance – 2018.
• The Primary Gallery – Writer and Performer for the
  exhibition “If a Pair is two then what is three” at the
  Harley Gallery on the Welbeck Estate- 2016.
• New Arts Exchange – Art for Social Change Renaissance One – performance poet – 2015.
• Font Festival – Performance of One woman show
  ‘Broken in Transit’.
• The Curve – Serendipity Black History Month Live –
  Development and performance of my one Woman show
  ‘Broken In Transit’ – 2013-14.
• Blackdrop Open Mic– Writer, performer, co-organiser
  and facilitator.

Facilitation

I have written and facilitated creative writing and performance poetry workshops over zoom, in Schools, theatres and community settings 2011- present. Including founding my own young people’s theatre group ‘Rootz’ at Nottingham Playhouse.

• Nottingham Playhouse – Rootz theatre group for ‘care’ experienced young people, which I founded in 2019.
• Earthpods – R&D creative writing workshop facilitator for young people – 2021
• The Gramophones – ‘Shewolves’ creative writing
  workshop facilitator for young people – 2020.

Social Work Experience

• Freelance Social Worker: 2021
• Compass Fostering Agency: Advanced Practitioner Panel and Assessment (2018-21)
• Barnardos, Derbyshire Leaving Care Team: Team Manager (2015-18)
• NSPCC Leicester: Level 3 Social Worker (2014- 15)
• Nottingham City Council
  • Children In Care Team: Social Worker (2012-14)
  • Child Protection Team: Social Worker (2010-12