News

News, Updates and Announcements from Central

Lighting being installed in an empty theatre

News, updates and announcements from Central

Congratulations to Central’s Programme Leader for Learning Development and Inclusion, Dr Javeria Khadija Shah, who has been nominated for a ‘Positive Role Model Award for Race, Religion & Faith’ at the 2022 National Diversity Awards!  

National Diversity Awards Logo and Congratulations Card to commemorate Dr Shah's Nomination

Throughout the Spring Term, Central’s Outreach Team has been busy working with young people across the country.

Three sixth form students working on floor

Central is excited to announce its collaboration with the Donmar Warehouse on the UK premiere of ‘The Trials’, an ambitious mainstage production at the Donmar that explores the climate crisis and which marks the start of a wider partnership between the two organisations to support the development of young talent and offer pathways to higher education. 

Poster for The Trials at the Donmar Warehouse, featuring 12 young people sitting in a jury box

A roundup celebrating a selection of Central graduate’s news and successes, covering alumni award wins and nominations, and their numerous contributions in all areas of stage and digital theatre, television and film, as well as in the wider community.

Image of Fisayo Akinade playing Mr. Ajayi in Heartstopper, sitting at a table staring to camera

Central is proud to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day by joining together with Recite Me to raise awareness of the importance of digital inclusion. 

Recite Me is accessibility software logo, spells out Recite in red and Me in a grey speech bubble

Central is excited to announce that it has secured matched-funding for an appeal to raise bursaries for its Youth Theatre programme. The matched-funding appeal will go live on The Big Give’s website between 14 – 21 June, with gifts providing fully-funded bursaries for young people from underrepresented groups to attend Central’s Youth Theatre classes for an entire year.

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

One year ago, Central launched the Keep Creating Campaign to raise vital funds for students impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.

A colourful abstract painting in pastel shades

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama congratulates its colleagues in music, theatre, drama, dance, performing arts, film and screen studies across the sector for a strong showing in REF 2021 that demonstrates the importance of research in the creative arts to public life.

REF 2021

Congratulations to Central graduate James Clarke, a teacher at Whitefield School and partner on Central’s Innovating Knowledge Exchange (IKE) project, on his recent win at the 2022 Music & Drama Education Awards.

James, Whitefield School and the IKE team have also been shortlisted for two additional awards at this year's Pearson National Teaching Awards and the Tes Schools Awards.

Rachel Hudspith, James Clarke and Nicola Abraham on stage at the 2022 Music and Drama Education Awards

Congratulations to Central’s Dr Broderick Chow, Reader and Director of Learning, Teaching and Inclusion, who has been appointed Chair-elect of the Theatre and Performance Research Association (TapRA). Appointed as Chairs-elect alongside Broderick are Dr Rachel Hann (Senior Lecturer, Northumbria University) and Dr Royona Mitra (Professor, Brunel University London) who also sits on Central’s Independent Equity Committee.  

Image of the Chairs-Elect of TaPRA, Dr Royona Mitra, Dr Rachel Hann and Dr Broderick Chow

Central is delighted to have been awarded the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) Quality Mark for recognition of the inclusion and success of its care experienced students. 

Central is committed to increasing the number of care leavers accessing Higher Education.

Central’s Principal, Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE, has delivered the keynote address at The Stage’s The Future of Theatre Conference, a three-day virtual event full of insights and discussions centred around the most pressing questions for the future of theatre.

Future of Theatre Conference Banner with photo of Josette Bushell-Mingo next to title of her keynote adress, 'The Future of Drama Training'