After nearly two decades of bold, beautiful and exciting storytelling, our brilliant Co-Founder, Artistic Director and Co-CEO Keith Saha will be stepping down from 20 Stories High this December. 

Since starting the company back in 2006 withJulia Samuels, Keith has poured his heart andsoul into creating groundbreaking theatre thatchampions working class, culturally diverseyoung people, emerging artists, and world-classprofessionals. From bold and joyous shows toraw and heartfelt stories, everything has beenmade with and for young people, always flyingthe flag for our motto: “Everybody’s got a storyto tell and their own way of telling it.” 

Since co-founding the company back in 2006 with Julia Samuels, Keith has poured his heart and soul into creating groundbreaking theatre that champions working-class, culturally diverse young people, emerging artists, and world-class professionals. Over the years, he has made award winning joyous, raw, political and heartfelt stories in mid-scale, and small-scale venues as well as community spaces, living rooms and bus stops. Keith has been a driving force in transforming theatre for young people locally and nationally —making it more inclusive, more accessible, and more connected. 

At the heart of it all is a fierce belief in our motto that: “Everybody’s got a story to tell and their own way of telling it.” 

Keith said “My time with 20 Stories High has been an absolute joy and privilege, and I will miss everyone greatly, but after a massive 19 years, I think now is the right time for me to make space for some fresh energy and creativity for our 20th year!  So, after two decades of making work with and for young people, I will now be turning my focus to a freelance career—creating new forms of theatre and live performance and art projects specifically for adult audiences and participants – a new adventure I’m really looking forward to. 

I want to take this opportunity to say a HUGE shout out to all the young people, emerging and established artists I have had the privilege of collaborating with. Also, all the past and current members of the team at 20 Stories High team and board who over the years have helped shape the company into what it is today – with a special shout out to  past and current associate directors Nathan Powell, Ameera Conrad and Paislie Reid and of course my  partner and co-founder Julia Samuels and our amazing exec producer Lucy Graham who started with us as a student volunteer 10 years ago and of course current co-CEO Leanne Jones, who has  who has pushed the company in so many brilliant directions. 

I also want to give a shout out to my creative mentors who have helped guide me through a very non-traditional career path since the company’s inception, Benji Reid, John McGrath, Isobel Hawson, Lee Corner, Kully Thiarai and our dearly departed mentor and associate artist Philip Osment who was with 20 Stories High right from the beginning asking all the difficult questions around dramaturgy and rigour!  

Making theatre with and for Global Majority and working-class audiences isn’t just important it’s vital. The world is in a challenging place, and the arts sector—like many others—is navigating uncertain terrain. But in my heart, I truly believe there’s hope, activism and a renewed energy out there. The recent “Youth Theatre Together” movement is a powerful testament to that, and I’m really excited to see what the next chapter holds for 20 Stories High with a new creative leadership.” 

It’s been a joyful, wild ride, and though we’ll miss him loads, we’re buzzing for his next adventure…THANK YOU, KEITH!  

You’ve shaped the DNA of 20 Stories High and inspired generations of artists, audiences and young people. 

As we get ready to celebrate our 20th year, we’re excited to welcome new creative leadership into our team – bringing fresh energy, bold ideas, and the same commitment to telling groundbreaking stories.  

This September, we will begin the search for new creative leadership. We are in the planning stages of what this could look like, and we are so excited to approach the process with an openness, boldness and imagination, with a continued commitment to making work with and for culturally diverse working-class young people.  

Watch this space! 

20 Stories High