Yellow Earth Theatre has established a new bursary that aims to encourage and promote greater participation and representation of East Asian actors on stage and screen by providing support to a graduating drama student.
The bursary will ease the pathway for a British East Asian leaving drama school to enter the profession by providing £1,000 towards Spotlight fees, headshots and similar expenses.
Known as the Creative Constellations Drama Student Bursary, it has been provided by actor Orion Lee and the first award was made at the Gala Night ending Yellow Earth’s 2013 Dim Sum Nights London performances before the company goes off on tour.
The first recipient is third year Mountview student Stanton Wright, who was presented with his award by Yellow Earth’s Artistic Director Kumiko Mendl and donor Orion Lee.
Kumiko Mendl said that making a decision was not easy: “We were impressed with all the candidates we saw but Stanton's obvious ability and passion for acting won through. We now look forward to following his progress in the future and feel confident he will be a positive addition to the growing pool of talented BEA actors.”
Stanton Wright commented, “As any Drama School student will know, training in London is a very expensive 3 years of your life, the final year more so—demanding additional costs for essentials such as headshots and Spotlight membership.
"Coming from a family with a low income, I can’t express how grateful I am to Yellow Earth for awarding me their bursary."