New Earth Academy
New Earth Academy provides FREE specialist training and opportunities in the performing arts for British East and South East Asians* (BESEA) aged 18+ living in the UK. The only programme of its kind in the UK, our courses are designed for those with an interest in developing their performance skills and engagement with live theatre.
Initially a week-long acting summer school based in London, the Academy has grown over its 14 years to encompass a range of disciplines and locations. New Earth Academy plays a key role in addressing the under representation of BESEA artists on UK stages and screens as well as behind the scenes by providing a safe and supportive environment to gain access to professional training, develop new skills, join creative networks and engage with industry professionals.
Our 2024 Academy courses include week long Performers Academies in London, Leeds and Birmingham, a UK wide online Writers Academy, a week long Off Stage Academy Plus for those interested in technical theatre and a London based Performers Academy Plus for those with previous performance experience and training.
If you have any questions about the programme, please read the FAQ page. If you require the documents to be in a different format or need any adjustments made in order to apply, please get in touch with us by emailing academy@newearththeatre.org.uk
New Earth Academy is run in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Leeds Playhouse, The Lowry and New Vic Theatre with support from Factory International, HOME, Horizons Collective, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire of Acting, York Theatre Royal and Arts Council England.
Select an Academy page for more information on the courses we offer.
"Personally, I hold New Earth in a special place - as everything that they continue to do for East and Southeast Asian theatre artists is extended to where home is for me."
Birmingham Performers Academy 2023 Participant
"New Earth team are amazing from the audition to final performance. I felt so supported… I have learned a lot from classes and lunch talks, and made a bunch of friends. I really enjoyed every moment in New Earth Academy Plus."
London Performers Academy Plus 2023 Participant
"I was thrilled to discover the collaborative aspects of writing. I always thought that writing was quite a lonely process but I had a lot of fun writing spontaneous scenes with others in the group and it was incredibly helpful to receive feedback from my peers."
Writers Academy UK 2022 Participant
"Performers Academy has benefitted my career path so much, in terms of the skills I learnt and people I got to meet, it was unforgettable!"
Leeds Performers Academy 2022 Participant
Support New Earth Academy
As a charity, we work extremely hard to raise funds every year for our Academy and Academy Plus programmes so they can remain free at the point of access for all participants. We want to continue to grow our programme and expand our reach across the U.K. working with as many BESEA creatives as possible.
If you are able, please consider making a donation to support our Academy programmes and other outreach activities. You can make a one-off or monthly donation to our Pay It Forward Campaign by visiting www.easydonate.org/ACADEMY
Alternatively, you can donate by text using the following codes. Texts cost the donation amount plus one standard rate message, UK networks only. Follow the text instructions if you would like to set up a monthly donation.
To donate £5, text ACADEMY to 70970
To donate £10, text ACADEMY to 70191
Please remember to Gift Aid your donation if you can.
* We use the term ESEA to mean those who identify as East Asian or Southeast Asian living and working in the UK. East and Southeast Asian descent includes: Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, North Korea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and their Diasporas.
Past academies
Writers Academy: North West 2021
June - July 2021
Performers Academy: North West 2021
June - July 2021
Performers Academy: Midlands 2021
June - July 2021