Central Hosts the New Earth Performers Academy
In July, Central is pleased to partner with New Earth and to host their intensive two-week New Earth Performers Academy.
The only programme of its kind in the UK, New Earth Academy provides free, specialist training and opportunities for British East and South East Asians (BESEA) aged 18+ who are interested in developing their skills and engagement in theatre-making and performing arts. Initially a week-long acting summer school based in London, the Academy has grown over its 12 years to encompass a range of disciplines and locations.
Central is one of three new lead partners of the New Earth Academy, alongside The Lowry in Salford, The Hippodrome and the Conservatoire in Birmingham and The Leeds Playhouse. Central will play host to in-person performance courses as well as support the Academy’s hybrid Off Stage offer one of seven academies which are spread across the country.
New Earth’s Creative Engagement Associate who is the Project Manager of New Earth Academy Yuyu Wang is an MFA Advanced Theatre Practice graduate and said of the project:
“It’s been brilliant running the New Earth Academy in partnership with Central this year and I’m thrilled to be back at Central – it is always a special place in my heart. It’s fantastic to meet such a talented group of BESEA artists and creatives on the course. New Earth Academy is a unique training experience. It’s created with a creative community of shared identities in a supportive environment and I’m grateful to be part of it.”
Kumiko Mendl, Artistic Director at New Earth, said:
“The courses available not only provide skills development and pathways into the industry, but creative connections and networks for BESEA artists which, as we emerge from the pandemic, feels more important than ever.”
Dr Broderick Chow, Central’s Director of Learning, Teaching and Inclusion and the Course Leader for the New Earth Performers Academy said:
“It is an absolute joy to spend two weeks with a dynamic, committed and talented group of emerging BESEA theatre artists. Representation is about equality of opportunity, but it is also about so much more - it is about being able to bring our whole selves to our performances, to tell our stories, and to harness our voices as individuals and as a community. The programme has been focused on developing creative tools to pursue a career or further training in theatre and performance, but we have also explored our identities as a diverse community and had a lot of fun too.”
New Earth Academy plays a key role in addressing the under representation of BESEA artists on UK stages and screens, both on and off stage, by providing a safe and supportive environment to gain access to professional training, develop new skills, join creative networks and engage with industry professionals. Central students Matthew Boyd (MFA Voice Studies: Teaching and Coaching), Renee Chua (MA Advanced Theatre Practice), Graham DSouza (MFA Voice Studies: Teaching and Coaching), Rebeca Pereira-Gonzalez (MA Movement: Directing and Teaching), and Jeni Seo (MFA Actor Training and Coaching) are all undertaking creative placements on the Academy as Voice Coaches, Assistant Directors and Movement Director.
The Performers Academy concludes with a showcase at Central for the participants’ family and friends, invited guests and members of the industry. At this year’s showcase, New Earth will also present it’s Constellation Creatives Drama Student Bursary, which aims to encourage and promote greater participation and representation of BESEA actors on stage and screen by supporting the pathway from graduating student to professional actor.
Now in its tenth year, the Constellation Creatives Drama Student Bursary provides £1,000 towards additional expenses incurred in that transitional period as well as a free year’s subscription to Spotlight. For more information on The New Earth Academy and Central’s involvement, please visit their website.
