New Earth Theatre is proud to announce it’s support for Rising Waves, a mentoring scheme launched to provide mentoring for British East and South East Asian (BESEA) artists in the performing arts. The scheme has been established by a new collective of BESEA artists, creative practitioners working in the performing arts who came together because they believe that artists, creative and technical practitioners of BESEA heritage face specific barriers and obstacles in the performing arts industry. They are passionate about securing a better future for the next generation and building a supportive community.

Fifteen mentoring partnerships will be set up and run over six months. All participants – both mentors and those receiving mentorship – will be of BESEA heritage and will receive training to ensure they can make the most of their relationship. The scheme is open to artists, creatives and technical roles in the performing arts and will be free of charge.

The aim of the scheme is to help combat the historic and systemic prejudices that BESEA artists face in the performing arts and wider UK society. There has been a 300% increase in hate crimes towards people of East Asian and Southeast heritage in the UK since the pandemic began.