SEEN Lewisham - A new Global Majority festival for London comes to the Broadway Theatre this June

This new festival will showcase, mentor and fund artists of Black, Asian and global majority ethnicities from Lewisham, helping them to elevate and amplify their work to new audiences.

SEEN Lewisham is a partnership between the London Borough of Lewisham and innovative, multi-award winning arts company Nouveau Riche. The festival is funded by Lewisham Council, the Mayor of London and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

Kicking-off our first programme announcement is Black Wall Street, The Dreamland, the latest production by Khareem Jamal on Friday 14 June. Taking place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1921, the production brings to life the extraordinary tale of Greenwood, a predominantly black neighbourhood within Tulsa.

In addition to captivating performances, the SEEN Lewisham programme will showcase the talents of local artists, performers, and designers who responded to a call for submissions in February. Through a grant programme, selected artists have received funding and will be mentored by industry pioneers to bring their performances to life.

Meet the mentors:

Nouveau Riche

Our production partner, Nouveau Riche, is a multi-award-winning creative movement. Their objective is to discover, nurture, and produce unique stories with a keen focus on work that is both educational and entertaining. Nouveau Riche is the driving force behind powerful productions such as For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy and No More Mr Nice Guy. Led by Global Majority Artists, Nouveau Riche not only provides mentorship to festival artists but also co-produces the festival, ensuring its success.

Alleyne Dance

Alleyne Dance is a UK-based company founded in 2014 by award-winning twin sisters Kristina and Sadé Alleyne. Their choreography blends West African, Caribbean, Hip Hop, and Kathak influences into dynamic movement. With five main works presented internationally, including stage productions like A Night’s Game and The Other Side of Me, along with the award-winning dance film (Re)United, Alleyne Dance is committed to learning and participation, engaging audiences worldwide.

Josh Oladipo

Josh Oladipo is a dynamic force in music. From his role as one half of Billy Dukes to his presence on Reprezent Radio, his collaborations with talents like Kojey Radical and Lucy Rose showcase brilliance. Hailing from South London, his sound combines electronic psychedelia and soul, enchanting audiences worldwide. His global presence, radio influence, and dedication to mentoring via the School of Bop underscore his development as an artist and innovator.

Brenda Dacres, Mayor of Lewisham said:

“Lewisham is buzzing with creativity and talent coming from the rich cultures of Global Majority communities. SEEN Lewisham will build on the legacy of our year as The Mayor of London’s London Borough of Culture, where local talent thrived. This festival will provide a platform for local artists to shine, sharing voices and narratives often overlooked.

“We know it is important for people to see art that reflects themselves, and those of communities they may be less familiar with. I look forward to enjoying the diverse and wide range of art at SEEN Lewisham this summer.”

Ryan Calais-Cameron from Nouveau Riche said:

“I grew up in Catford, an area that has always been a huge colourful cultural hub of art and creativity. SEEN will continue in that legacy, a festival that will have the very best of what Lewisham and London has to offer all in one place, an opportunity for locals and visitors to come and see work and artists that reflect themselves.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said:

“It’s great to see Lewisham continue to celebrate diversity through the arts with SEEN Lewisham. It shows how the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture award continues to inspire communities and showcase local talent through music and performance, as we build a better London for everyone.”

Cllr James-J Walsh, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Communication said:

“Lewisham is delighted to be launching SEEN Lewisham this June. Black and Global Majority art and culture, is Lewisham’s culture, and it is important we invest in developing emergent artists from every section of our community.

“Our festival not only delivers great new artistic pieces for audiences, but each Artist will have mentoring from other leading global majority artists and companies including Nouveau Riche and Alleyne Dance, enabling the elevation and amplification of more fantastic culturally significant work being produced for London, from Lewisham.”