A Fond Farewell to Our Executive Director, Lian Wilkinson
We have bittersweet news: our Executive Director and Co-CEO, Lian Wilkinson, will be moving on from New Earth Theatre on 14 November 2025 to pursue a new chapter in her career.
Lian first joined New Earth in 2019 as Executive Producer, and in her six years with us has played a huge part in New Earth’s journey - helping the company to grow, evolve, and continue to celebrate the talent and creativity of British East and Southeast Asian artists and communities.
Under her tenure, New Earth produced landmark productions and national tours including WORTH, The Apology, Tsunagu/Connect Live and Miss Julie; expanded our artist development programmes and introduced a digital strand of our work. Working alongside former Artistic Director Kumiko Mendl, the Academy Programme grew from three to thirteen courses. In partnership with Tamasha, Lian developed Producers First, a programme supporting the next generation of ethnically diverse producers. She also played a key role in formulating and delivering the Anti-Racism Touring Rider. She steered us through a pandemic, a rebrand and an artistic director change: Lian’s leadership, creativity, and care have shaped so much of what New Earth is today.
Her time with us has seen the company through moments of great challenge and great joy. We’re incredibly grateful for her insight, warmth, and unwavering commitment to telling our stories with authenticity and heart.
Lian’s departure comes alongside some exciting organisational changes, as Marina Wu joins us as our new General Manager. From January, Clarissa Widya will step into the role of Executive Producer, and Tammie Rhee will take on the role of Producer. We’re incredibly fortunate to be moving forward with such a talented and dedicated team.
Speaking of her departure, Lian says: “It has been a privilege to be at the helm of New Earth during some seminal years for the company. Alongside the brilliant productions and achievements, my favourite part of the job has been at post-production drinks or friendly catch ups, where somebody goes ‘New Earth made my career.’ It gives me so much pride knowing that our work is truly life-changing, made possible by the brilliant New Earth community. My love for New Earth, my colleagues, and my co-CEO Ailin Conant, is truly shining: we’ve set up some great adventures ahead, and I can’t wait to cheer them on.”
Ailin says: “Working alongside Lian has truly been a career highlight for me. Her passion, care, consideration, stamina, and humour will stay with us long after her departure. We wish her all of the very best for her next chapter, and we trust we will find new and exciting ways to collaborate in the not-too-distant future.”