‘Small Axe’ Star Shaniqua Okwok Slams Royal Central Drama School’s “Performative” Anti-Racism Pledges After It Stands By Tutor Over Slave Incident

deadline.com:

EXCLUSIVE: Small Axe star Shaniqua Okwok has criticized The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama for paying lip service to anti-discrimination pledges after the prestigious UK drama school failed to say whether it disciplined a teacher accused of a “racist incident.” Okwok, one of Royal Central’s most successful recent graduates, made a formal complaint against a teacher after they allegedly demanded that she embrace her “inherited trauma” and play a slave during an acting exercise in 2015.

Deadline can reveal that the complaint was upheld last year and Royal Central apologized to Okwok, but for confidentiality reasons, she was not told if the lecturer faced any consequences.

The individual remains in post as a lecturer at the school, which boasts alumni including Judi Dench and Kit Harrington. The teacher did not respond to a request for comment.

In an exclusive interview for Deadline’s Drama Schools Uncovered series, Okwok argued that Royal Central upheld her complaint in an effort to “shut her up.” She said her experience showed that the school’s efforts to rid itself of systemic racial prejudice were “performative.” In a statement, Royal Central said it had issued an “unreserved apology” to those who experienced racism, adding that the school has overhauled its leadership team and is working to create a culture of “equity and inclusion.” Josette Bushell-Mingo, the Olivier Award-nominated actress, was appointed principal in 2021.