About Us

BACKGROUND

Caste Away Arts are an innovative theatre company tackling taboo issues. They are the artistic wing of the charity CasteWatchUK and have fast made a name for themselves as. Their mission is to eliminate discrimination and promote equality through theatre and arts with particular focus on communities “cast away” from society.

Caste Away Arts is co-found by Rena Dipti Annobil and Reena Jaisiah. In 2004 the pair’s paths crossed when joining the charity CasteWatchUK, a charity, who aim to eliminate caste discrimination in the UK. The two Re(e)na’s were passionate about humanitarian advocacy and utilised their creative skills to write a play about caste discrimination based on true life experiences of people that they met throughout their  research journey. In early 2006 they wrote a play, The Fifth Cup and produced it with the support of Caste Watch UK and Arts Council. It all started with tackling Caste and thus how they got their name – Caste Away Arts.

After working themselves to the bone, their hard work paid off when their debut The Fifth Cup sold out at The Drum theatre in Birmingham in December 2007. The following year in 2008 Caste Away Arts took the Fifth cup on a UK tour. Since then they have fronted many projects in the Midlands and the South of England. Caste Away Arts remain passionate about using theatre to break down barriers, eliminate discrimination and promote equality. They are committed to producing high quality entertainment with a strong social message and work in the local community with real people.

Caste Away Arts are forever growing and are committed to raising awareness of CasteWatchUk’s campaign for equality through the arts. They are supported by CasteWatchUK in all their endeavours.

THE TEAM

Rena Dipti Annobil – Artistic Director

Rena Dipti Annobilis one of Caste Away Arts’ Co-Founders and Artistic Directors. She co-wrote, co-directed The Fifth Cup with Reena Jaisiah and also took on an acting role in the play. Rena graduated from Aston University in 2001 with BSc (Hons) in Managerial and Administrative Studies. Whilst at university Rena trained in Indian Classical and Contemporary Dance, focusing on the ancient dance form Bharata Natyam, and performed at various theatres around the Midlands as part of the Coventry based Mrittika Arts Dance Company.

Rena has worked in broadcasting for six years; her experience includes producing live radio programmes and features at the BBC, producing and presenting her own TV show, and narrating BBC Radio 7′s Sony Award winning interactive story, The Chain Gang, in 2007.

Passionate about poetry, music, dance and drama, Rena has carried out several performance workshops for children and teenagers over the last few years. These days Rena juggles motherhood with her career at the BBC, carrying out workshops, and writing ground breaking new material for Caste Away Arts.

Reena Jaisiah (FRSA) - Artistic Director

Reena’s fertile imagination never failed to take her on journeys as a child.  Having Dyslexia was alienating and embarrassing but this purported ‘disability’ is the force that fuelled her tenacity. Reena; a maverick was born to break boxes, rip labels off and wear odd socks! Her inquisitiveness naturally led her to study Sociology at University. Before she could swim, Reena she was thrown in at the deep end of an Arts placement which shaped her future path in the arts. While culturing an array of skills, she discovered her ability to connect with young people. They left a lasting impression on her. Reena is one of few that candidly confronts social taboo and debates such as Islamophobia and Mental Health. She pioneered research at the University of Birmingham for her MA that tackled Casteism in the UK. Rather than publish verbose reports, she reverted back to her creative roots in order to build bridges and reach real people.  Reena met Rena Dipti Annobil and duo built a dynamic work ethos which birthed Caste Away Art- the artistic wing of Caste Watch UK. Together they produced the sell-out play The Fifth Cup. Through theatre Reena unearths her voice and a voice for those oppressed and this inspired her to train at Theatre School. Though she prefers behind the scenes, acting is another wall she’s pushed!   Caste Away Arts’ endeavours were recognised in the Pride of Coventry and Warwickshire Community Projects awards in 2008 after the national tour success of The Fifth Cup play which Reena produced co-wrote and directed.

Reena was commissioned by In Other Words to write a play to shed light on Autism and to challenge its stigma and is working on the novel. Reena has also dabbled with screen play writing and directing for Social Enterprises. The Royal Society of Arts recognised Reena’s efforts and nominated her for a fellowship for her ‘contribution to the Arts, her endeavours to encourage positive social relations and eliminate racial discrimination, and following her participation in Prison Link and her work to support individuals with autism.’

Reena has a wealth of experience in work and is a Social Researcher, enterprising Business Women and trained Adult Education Teacher whom currently works with young people who truly make her buzz! Reena taught drama in Shakespeare’s home town and visited countless schools.  She also travelled to Sri Lanka to visit Tsunami and War affected communities and continues this work in the UK where she created Enrichment programme -Release UK for generations of war affected young people living in the UK. Reena has fronted countless projects including a commission by Sandwell Leisure Trust with a youth project. She is a regular fixture at Coventry Godiva festival with her story telling sessions and is the creative director of Women on TOP, a poignant collaborative project with Kairos. During international women’s week 2011 Reena was nominated by Oxfam as one of the Midlands 100th most inspirational Women for her personal and community accomplishments.

An avid writer/ author eminent for her shambolic hand writing. It’s no surprise that her poem Alchemy from Scribbles was selected for publication for Rasp’s anthology.  Her writing contributions include a report for the BBC and poetry features for magazines and books. Reena is constantly saturated with ideas for Caste Away Arts and her local community and is working on wonders to come…