New Producers Spotlight: Priyanka Joshi

Meet Priyanka Joshi – a spoken word artist based in Wolverhampton, who’s using the New Producers programme to carve out a new chapter in her creative journey after maternity leave. With warmth, ambition and a love of storytelling, Priyanka is on a mission to lift up new voices and honour the women who’ve inspired her.

A theatre trip to remember

“The first cultural event I remember attending was watching Cats at the theatre with my mum aged 8. It was love at first sight – the visuals, the buzz of the West End, the orchestra, the lighting and costumes! Safe to say it most definitely left a lasting impression on my blossoming creativity and opened my eyes to a world I still love.”

Dancing at the Royal Albert Hall

“The most meaningful cultural experience would have to be performing with my high school Bhangra dance group at the Royal Albert Hall. It was electric – to perform in front of thousands of people was a buzz like no other. It means so much to me because I was able to represent my culture and heritage in such an iconic venue – a once in a lifetime experience for sure.”

Why Priyanka applied for New Producers

“Being a spoken word poet that has taken part in many different events, I wanted to arm myself with the knowledge and tools to help further grow the spoken word community in my city and put on poetry events of my own. This was a fantastic opportunity for me which has come at the tail end of maternity leave, and has given me a clear map to further my creative career and achieve my goals.”

A whole new toolkit

“I am enjoying hearing from experts in all the many different facets that make up being a producer – some of which I had zero knowledge – but thanks to this course, and with the support of our wonderful group of peers – I am learning so much and absorbing all the helpful nuggets and lessons being shared.”

On Wolverhampton and its people

“The people in Wolverhampton are the most friendly and considerate I have come across. I moved to Wolverhampton 15 years ago from London, I was shocked at the level of warmth extended to me by complete strangers – and I like to think I have adopted that same warmth and genuine nature the community holds. Still working on my ‘olright bab!’”

A powerful vision for the future

“I would love to bring a spoken word show to stage which combines poetry inspired by South Asian women’s stories with Indian Classical dance forms and music. Telling the tales of women of the diaspora is important to me as a 3rd generation British South Asian. The women in my life have shaped me, and their stories of triumph and struggle as they straddled two worlds give me endless inspiration. I would love to be able to honour their journeys and bring their experiences to audiences who can relate to them and celebrate their own superwomen.”

And finally, a tasty fact…

“I may be a poet but my love language is food! Eating it, cooking it, sharing it – I love it all!”

From poetry and performance to food, family and fierce cultural pride, Priyanka Joshi brings vision and voice to New Producers 2025. We can’t wait to see her spoken word stories come to life on stage.

This programme has been delivered by Wolverhampton Arts Centre and China Plate Theatre.