Kerry Michael joined Stratford East in 1997, as an associate director, becoming artistic director in September 2004. His manifesto is to bring London's new communities to the stage, and portray their experiences as second and third generation emigrants. His debut play as artistic director was "The Battle of Green Lanes "by Cosh Omar, set amongst London's Cypriot society. He directed the hit musicals "The Harder They Come" (at Theatre Royal Stratford East and then transferred to The Barbican and the West End's Playhouse Theatre) and also "Come Dancing" by Ray Davies and Paul Sirett.