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David Harewood: teach young actors resilience to face industry’s brutal side

Exclusive: Incoming Rada president says he wants to pass down what he learned from mental health struggles as a graduate

David Harewood has called for acting graduates to be taught “resilience” to steel them for the industry’s brutal side, as he prepares to take over as president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Harewood, who has long advocated for more opportunities for black British actors in the UK industry after having to move to the US to get his big break, said his and Erivo’s presence would send a strong message to students. Rada admitted it was “institutionally racist” in 2021 after students complained about non-inclusive teaching, and the organisation apologised for its “inadequate response” to the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.

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