Culturally Specific Performance Practice and British East and Southeast Asian Representation

A Collaborative Doctoral Award in collaboration with The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and New Earth Theatre.

At a moment when discrimination against East and South East Asian (ESEA) people in the UK is growing, this Collaborative Doctoral Award addresses the urgent question of the barriers that prevent ESEAs from telling our own stories, and the possibilities there are when we do.

It will generate new knowledge in the root causes of the marginalisation of British ESEA (BESEA) actors in theatre and performance as well as practice-based interventions in culturally specific and conscientious theatre training. This study examines how culturally specific spaces of artistic practice, including but not limited to actor training, might enable ESEA actors and performers to transform, challenge, or repair their narrow racialisation.

The project moves beyond textual and performance analysis of BESEA theatre through a range of methods, including case study research, interviews, rehearsal observation, and participation in performance practice, that allow the BESEA community to speak for itself, by centering their voices, experiences, and practices.

The student will benefit from access to New Earth Theatre's archives, networks, rehearsal and training spaces, and Central's expertise in theatre training and research supervision. The research will further Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and New Earth Theatre's shared mission of expanding opportunities for marginalised artists.