DMU and Curve to host event on future of theatre and academia

De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) and Curve theatre are bringing together creative leaders from some of the UK’s biggest theatres with prominent academics to discuss the future relationship of British Theatre and Higher Education.

DMU students starred in Willy Russell's Our Day Out at Curve 

The Higher Education and Professional Theatre Conference on 15 September will focus on how stronger partnerships between the sectors can tackle issues of diversity, employability, research and job-creation.

The discussion will involve theatre practitioners, programmers, producers, technicians, policy-makers, academics, students and audiences with tickets available to interested parties and the general public.

Confirmed delegates and speakers include Patrick Spottiswoode, Director of Education at Shakespeare’s Globe; David Thacker, Professor of Theatre at Bolton University (and previously Artistic Director, Bolton Octagon Theatre) and Rebecca Blackman, Senior Relationship Manager, Arts Council England. 

Hosts at the conference will also include Independent Theatre Council Chief Executive Charlotte Jones and Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Loughborough University Elenora Belfiore who has published extensively on cultural politics and policy.

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This will be the second year of the conference following its successful launch in 2015. Hailed “a long overdue event” by 2015 speaker Charlotte Jones, Chief Executive of the Independent Theatre Council, the first conference included representatives from The Royal Shakespeare Company, Derby Theatre and University, and Central School of Speech and Drama.

This second conference takes its cue from key themes and questions presented at the first conference, with attendees forming working groups of theatre and higher education peers to reflect on best practice and possible policy around the HE and Professional Theatre relationship.

Chris Stafford, Chief Executive at Curve said: “We are pleased to be able host The Higher Education and Professional Theatre Conference alongside De Montfort University for our second year. In uncertain times for the arts, it is more important than ever for theatres to build stronger relationships with our partners in the education sector, share our skills and resources and develop new strategies. 

“As industry leaders in the promotion of diversity, we are passionately committed to pioneering inclusive and thriving theatre in The UK. These events and conversations are absolutely key for that success.”

Barbara Matthews, DMU Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Art, Design and Humanities, said: “I worked in the theatre industry for many years before joining De Montfort University and would have loved the chance to attend such a conference then!

“Now I have an insight into both worlds I know that there are many inspirational and imaginative collaborations, but there is still much that we can learn from each other. We can be divided by unintended bureaucratic hurdles and differing vocabularies, so I very much hope that we’ll find a way to cast those aside and continue to discover new ways of working together.”