News

News, Updates and Announcements from Central

Lighting being installed in an empty theatre

News, updates and announcements from Central

Michael Grandage CBE has announced that he will stand down as President of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama after 12 years in post.  

Photo of Michael Grandage CBE wearing a blue, shortsleeved collared shirt, standing against a blue and white wall with his arms crossed in front of his chest

Central promotes National Inclusion Week, as an opportunity to raise awareness and open up the conversation about inclusion and accessibility online.

National Inclusion Week #ThePowerOfNow white, black and red graphic

Central is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving Sovereign in British History.  Our condolences are with His Majesty King Charles III and the rest of the Royal Family.  

Black and white image of HRH Queen Elizabeth II

With 2022 marking the momentous 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Central staff, students and alumni have been hard at work preparing and taking their shows to the festival. Central's staff team was especially excited to be back at the Fringe this year, in person for the first time since 2019, to celebrate this work and to welcome members of our community to the annual Central in Edinburgh Party. 

Two Central graduates holding up signs and smiling at the camera

Central is pleased to announce that a number of staff have been represented in the shortlistings for the 2022 TaPRA Prizes. 

Tapra logo - white text against a blue background

In July, Central is pleased to partner with New Earth and to host their intensive two-week New Earth Performers Academy. The only programme of its kind in the UK, New Earth Academy provides free, specialist training and opportunities for British East and South East Asians (BESEA) aged 18+ who are interested in developing their skills and engagement in theatre-making and performing arts. 

Pink letters spelling: New Earth

Congratulations to Dr Duška Radosavljević and the team behind The Aural/ Oral Dramaturgies Project on their recent award wins. 

A man holding the microphone up to the people in the front row of a concert

This July, Central’s Dr David Shearing has taken over the historic marketplace in Romford with a unique interactive piece of public art, "The Rising Sun".  

The Rising Sun - Interior Image, Photo by Hannah Davis

Central is excited to announce that it has reached its target of raising more than £20,000 for bursaries for its Youth Theatre programme. The target was met thanks to the kindness of Central’s supporters who took part in a matched-funding appeal on The Big Give’s website between 14 – 21 June.  All donations made online during this period were matched by The Childhood Trust and Ros and Alan Haigh whose generosity made the appeal possible. 

A group of young people stood on a stage smiling to camera

In June, Central’s Conferment of Academic Titles Committee met to award academic titles to members of its staff in recognition of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and research. 

View of Central's North Block building showing people walking on different levels

On 29 June, Central hosted the book launch for Dramatherapy: The Nature of Interruption, and welcomed an audience of students, staff, alumni, Dramatherapists and invited guests to its Embassy Theatre. The book, edited by Richard Hougham and Bryn Jones, celebrates 35 years of the dramatherapy programme at Central and 20 years of the MA Drama & Movement Therapy course. 

The cover of 'Dramatherapy, The Nature of Interruption'

Central is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding for its research through UK Research and Innovation’s Impact Acceleration Account (IAA). The funding, which has been awarded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), will enable the School to create a Centre for Research Impact in the Performing Arts to co-ordinate, expand, and promote its impact and Knowledge Exchange activities.

UKRI Logo - Blue and White lettering against a white background reading 'UKRI UK Research and Innovation'