Three initiatives launched to support migrant theatremakers

Three initiatives to support migrant artists in the UK have been announced by international theatre company Projekt Europa, which includes a mentoring scheme with theatremakers such as actor and playwright Arinzé Kene and designer Anna Fleischle.

Called Projekt Empower, the mentoring scheme will pair 10 emerging first-generation migrant theatremakers with 10 established migrant artists.

Alongside Fleischle and Kene, the 10 mentors will include Mehmet Ergen, Kaisa Hammarlund, Thusitha Jayasundera, Ingrid Mackinnon, Lucian Msamati, Hyemi Shin, Omar Elerian and Caroline Steinbeis.

Mentees for the five-month programme will be selected through an open call-out. 

Meanwhile, Projekt Elevate will commission nine migrant artists to develop ideas for co-created work with their communities, in collaboration with Northampton’s Royal and Derngate, Kingston’s Rose Theatre and Colchester’s Mercury Theatre.

The artists will be provided with artistic and dramaturgical support. 

The third initiative, called Projekt Encounter, is a 20-week community engagement programme for migrants in Kent who have little or no previous engagement with the arts. 

Projekt Encounter aims to deliver a programme of workshops, with the aim of building a community ensemble at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. 

Projekt Europa artistic director Maria Aberg said: "I am thrilled to announce our 2022 programme of work, focused on amplifying international voices from within the UK. 

"By working with migrant artists and communities we will support, inspire and empower them to ensure the future strength and resilience of our theatre sector.

"The three projects are about creating opportunity, building networks and forging creative relationships between artists, theatres and communities."