More about ya gal
Hi, I’m Malaika Kegode. I’m an award-winning writer, performer, creative producer, and an Associate Director at Theatre Royal Plymouth. I love finding stories between the cracks in the pavement and then helping them to grow.
I began my creative career as a performance poet in 2014, a path which led me to perform across the UK at a number of iconic venues, festivals, and literary events such as The 100 Club, WOMAD, and The Scottish Storytelling Centre. I have three poetry collections - Requite (2017), Thalassic (2019), and Body Buffet (2022). I am also the founder, co-producer, and host of Milk Poetry.
These days I’m based between Bristol and Plymouth. In addition to poetry, I make live shows, write for film, music and radio, produce events, facilitate workshops, and advocate for others to be able to do the same. Creativity is one of our greatest tools for healing and connection, and this belief drives all aspects of my practice forward.
I am also passionate about cinema. I’ve worked as a curational associate for Watershed, a resident artist for Encounters Film Festival, and programme selector for a number of film festivals including Queer Vision and Tallinn Black Nights. I was selected to be part of the Cinema Rediscovered Film Critic Workshop, and was also honoured to be awarded the Elspeth Kydd Memorial Prize for my screenwriting portfolio in 2021.
I was an Associate Artist at Bristol Old Vic 2021 - 2024, part of English Touring Theatre’s Nationwide Voice’s 2023 cohort and writer-in-reisdence at the University of Bristol’s Theatre Collection in 2022. I’m currently a Pervasive Media Studio resident, and a proud Trustee of mental health charity Many Minds.
If you’d like a more comprehensive bio, you can download that here.
Writing & Performing
When people ask me what I do, the first thing I’ll tell them is that I’m a writer, then in a quieter voice I’ll say “and performer”.
I’ve still not worked out if I’m a writer who performs or a performer who writes, but one thing is certain - I love live performance and making stories. Beginning my journey as a performance poet was a fast track to learning how to connect with an audience - earning my stripes performing at punk gigs, libraries, and to reluctant patrons in South Devon pubs. I love to figure an audience out, form a relationship with them, and build a unique experience together.
I regularly perform with my long-time collaborators and friends, folk-inspired prog rock band Jakabol, and love to find new ways of sharing ideas and creating worlds.
My practice is constantly shifting. I am now moving away from autobiographical work to focus more on creating live work for new voices and different spaces.
Click on the button below to see what I’ve been working on recently.
Producing & HOsting
I stumbled into producing by accident, and now it greatly shapes all aspects my work.
My entry into this side of the industry came in 2014 when I got a job from Apples & Snakes hosting Spokes Amaze at The Bike Shed in Exeter. I inherited this hosting gig from Jack Dean, and learned the ropes from producer Gina Sherman. Eventually, I became the lead producer, running and hosting the event until its last edition in 2017.
In 2015, poet Graham Chilcott and I founded Milk Poetry on Gloucester Road in Bristol. Graham later left, but I continued running Milk Poetry which has grown into a well-loved part of Bristol’s live arts community. We organize monthly events at The Wardrobe Theatre, along with workshops, festival stages, online events, and more.
I’ve also hosted events and/or shows for Penguin Books, BBC Radio 4 and Tongue Fu, and have worked as a freelance producer in for Roundhouse, Strike a Light, Watershed, and as an outreach & young people producer for Blahblahblah at Bristol Old Vic.
If you’d like me to host your event, feel free to get in touch with my agent Louisa by clicking the button below.
Workshops & Mentoring
As a mentor and workshop leader, I’m interested in acknowledging the confidence it takes to grow your practice, finding ways to take care of yourself on your journey, and making sure to celebrate your wins along the way.
I am a trauma-informed practitioner with NSPCC Safeguarding training and a current DBS Certificate. I have experience working with vulnerable and marginalised groups, and have worked with a number of organisations including Synergy Theatre Project, Bristol Drugs Project, Beyond Face, and Arvon Foundation.
Artists I’ve mentored have gone on to create brilliant work, build confidence in themselves and forge arts-based careers. I’m really proud to have been part of their journeys and appreciate all they’ve taught me.
If you’d like to know more or would like advice about running your own workshops, please get in touch for a chat.