The Seun Shote Initiative
Orísun Productions announces launch of The Seun Shote Initiative, in honour of the late actor and co-founder
Orísun Productions has launched The Seun Shote Initiative in memory of the late actor who died suddenly on 15 March 2021. The Initiative will provide opportunities for young aspiring actors from the Black community and from other under-represented groups. As part of the Initiative they will host a free five-day workshop for 13 – 19 year-olds commencing Spring 2023. The workshop, which will be led by experienced youth facilitators, will welcome established industry professionals across a variety of creative disciplines as guest speakers, culminating in a showcase of the participants’ work. Further details to be announced. Orísun Productions will work with secondary schools, youth clubs and youth offending teams in London to identify and invite participants to join the workshop. A crowdfunding campaign was launched to help fund the Initiative.
A steering group made up of some of Seun’s closest friends and colleagues was set up following his death, to discuss ways to honour the late actor’s legacy; committed to continuing the work started by Seun when he co-founded Orísun.
“It’s 2022 and though there have been many important developments in diverse access to the arts; we must not become complacent in our endeavours. It is imperative we continue to create more opportunities for Black and working-class voices to be heard at the grass route level and beyond. This initiative is designed to help make that dream a reality.”
The First SSI workshop
In March 2023, on the second anniversary of Seun Shote’s death, we held a one day workshop aimed at young people from under-represented backgrounds with an interest in acting and theatre. Five young people aged between 14 and 18 attended the workshop at Theatre Peckham. The first half of the day was run by an experienced drama facilitator from Fly High Workshops. The afternoon session was ran by two facilitators from Attic Theatre who designed a session working through the themes of the Roy Williams’ play titled All Roads. The young participants were then treated to a meal before seeing All Roads, at Theatre Peckham.
