In The Beginning

Orion Lee started a bursary in conjunction with New Earth Theatre in the UK which now gives all East and South East Asian acting graduates from UK drama schools the opportunity to be seen by casting directors from Royal Shakespeare Company, BBC, National Theatre.

The Constellation Creatives Bursary aims to encourage and promote greater participation and representation of British East and South East Asian actors on stage and screen by supporting the pathway from graduating student to professional actor.

Since it’s inception in 2013 many alumni have embarked on their first job directly from this bursary.

Constellation Creatives drama student bursary

Now in its eleventh year, the Constellation Creatives Bursary aims to encourage and promote greater participation and representation of British East and South East Asian actors on stage and screen by supporting the pathway from graduating student to professional actor.

It provides: £1,000 towards additional expenses incurred in that transitional period; a FREE Standard Headshot Package provided by David Yiu; two casting workshops with Mixing Networks; as well as a FREE year’s subscription to Spotlight.

The bursary is awarded to a drama school student of East or South East Asian descent who, in the opinion of the judging panel, has best demonstrated at the audition/interview that they have the talent, skills and commitment to succeed as a professional actor.

This year, the panel included: Alastair Coomer (Head of Casting, National Theatre), Matthew Dewsbury (Head of Casting, Royal Shakespeare Company), John Cannon (Head of Casting, BBC), Sarah Leung (Independent Casting Director, CDG, BAFTA) , Orion Lee (Actor and Benefactor), and Kumiko Mendl (Artistic Director, New Earth).