Alumni Stories

Rhys Anderson, a graduate of Central's BA (Hons) Acting CDT course reflects on his experience playing Hamlet in TNT Theatre's touring production. 

Central graduates and students share insights into their contributions to Pegasus Opera Company's double bill. Graduate, Heather Smith, talks to us about her role as Stage Manager on Book

Central graduates and students share insights into their contributions to Pegasus Opera Company's double bill. Graduate, Sean Laing, talks to us about his role as Production Manager.

Central graduates and students share insights into their contributions to Pegasus Opera Company's Double Bill. Hear from graduate Peiyao Wang as she discusses her role as set and costume designer.

Gabriel Mansour and Kristóf Gellén, graduates of our MA Acting for Screen course talk with us about the making of horror film, Beltane. From their whirlwind one-day shoot to Beltane's recent triumphs at prestigious film festivals, they share insights into their filming experiences, their training, and their future aspirations.

Sam Marsden, an alum of Central BA (Hons) Drama, Applied Theatre and Education, shares insights into her new book, Acting Games for Improv (A Pocketful of Drama).

Bayra Bela talks with us about her transformative journey, from studying on Central's MA Acting for Screen course to producing the culturally rich The Mongol Khan, running at London Coliseum theatre from 17 November to 2 December. 

Abi Rutter chose to study at Central because of her passion for using applied theatre to support young people's well-being, and spoke with us the transformative impact of Scholarships in providing opportunities for students in the early stages of their careers. 

ClusterFlux an international, experimental theatre collective founded by Central graduates tell us about their Edinburgh Fringe show, PLEASE LEAVE (a message)

Josh Lewis is a graduate of Writing for Performance, BA and recipient of the 2022 StART Enterprise Award. Since graduating, he has founded the Cracking Slate theatre company which supports the development of confidence, creativity and collaboration in young people, which was developed from his time on the course at Central.

Central alumni Emma Wainer came back to the Swiss Cottage in May to run a workshop for students on commercialising creativity. We spoke to her about her time at Central and what it has meant to her career.

Lucy Descourtier, a graduate of MA/MFA Advanced Theatre Practice, reflects on her experience studying on the course. She also talks with us about her current work as a freelance Director and her theatre company ANTS, which she co-founded while studying at Central.

Rianna Simons, is a playwright whose work White Girls Gang was recently shortlisted for the Yale Drama Series Prize, resulting in her attending the Substratum writer's residency in Italy. She talks with us about her inspiration for the play, her experience studying at Central, and her advice for aspiring playwrights. 

Toby Olié is a puppetry director/designer and puppeteer, as well as an alumnus of Central. Find out more about his artistic development and his upcoming course at Central, 'Puppetry in Motion'.

We spoke with Patrick Bayele and Esther Foga who co-founded The Avieli Arthouse, which was named as one of the winners of Central's Enterprise Award 2022, and is a charity dedicated to promoting creative expression through innovative productions, workshops, and community outreach projects.

Simon Lyshon, an actor and theatre maker, who trained on Central's BA (Hons) Acting - Collaborative and Devised Theatre (CDT) course, talks to us about his role in Swamp Motel's latest immersive production, Saint Jude.

MA Advanced Theatre Practice graduate Mischa Jones talks with us about founding collaborative theatre company, Rocket Box, and producing their latest production, Gentle Things, an adaptation of the Greek myth of Cassandra. She also shares how her training at Central impacted her work and offers advice for aspiring theatre-makers.

Danny Romeo reflects on his time studying on Central's MA/MFA Advanced Theatre Practice course. He shares with us how the course allowed him to pursue his interest in immersive theatre, develop his collaborative skills, and shape his practice. 

Keith Higinbotham studied on Central's MFA Voice Studies: Teaching and Coaching course and graduates in 2022. He is now voice and dialect coach, and performer. 

Diogo Sales will soon graduate from MA Acting for Screen and has just been cast in Spanish HBO series, Monos con Pistola (Playing Dirty)

Alum Leo Woolcock, Creative Technologist at immersive entertainment company Swamp Motel, spoke with us about his work on their latest production The Alter, and his career to date.

Cat Mahari graduated from Central's MA/MFA Performance Practice as Research course in 2011, and is a creator, choreographer, director, composer, and visual and scenographic artist.

Callum Tilbury (AKA Lady Aria Grey) is a graduate of our MFA Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media course, and is an award-winning writer, drag queen, and comedienne. 

Kaysha Woollery graduated from MA Acting - Classical in 2019, she talks with us about her recent projects, and honing her skills in the pandemic. 

Alum Peter Hobday, who is now working as Creative Lead at immersive entertainment company Swamp Motel, spoke with us about his work on their latest production The Drop, his career to date, and his top tips for students and emerging graduates.

Molly Suthers, an alum from our Applied Theatre, MA course speaks with us about her placements and experience as a COVID-19 vaccinator for the NHS.

Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with a man that used to hit her) written by student, Martha Watson Allpress, includes a team made up predominantly of Central students and graduates. We chatted to some of them about the show, and it's current run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Maddie Flint and Nathalie Ellis-Einhorn graduates of our MA/MFA Advanced Theatre Practice course talk with us about GASH THEATRE GETS GHOSTED, their new show which is being streamed at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

We caught up with MA Acting - Contemporary 2017 graduate, Holly Boyden, to find out more about her show, It Kind of Looks Like a Doughnut. The show will be performed live at Pleasance Downstairs this month, before being made available to watch online at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

We caught up with Jonathan Burniston, a graduate of our Costume Construction, BA. Since graduating in 2016, Jonathan has worked in the costume departments of a variety of film and television productions, and most recently was Junior Costume Maker for Disney's Cruella.

We met with Elske Waite, graduate of MFA Actor Training and Coaching, 2018. She spoke with us about Sightlines, a two-week online festival of incredible events happening from 13-25 July.

We chatted with MA Acting for Screen, alumni Mateusz Mirek and Susan Brooke about Other Space Productions, the company they created with Michal Nowak.

We chatted with Central Scenic Painting for Stage and Screen, Theatre Practice, BA graduate, Madeleine Young, to learn more about her work with The immersive Doctor Who: Time Fracture in central London, and Raya at Hampstead Downstairs.

We caught up with Central alumni Christiana Hartsiotis to learn more about her podcast, Artist Avenue.

We caught up with Central alumni Kamari Romeo to see what he has been getting up to after he graduated from both Drama, Applied Theatre and Education (DATE), BA and Creative Producing, MA.