Discover Central Podcast

We catch up with Dr Naomi Paxton, Central’s Knowledge Exchange Fellow, a Parliamentary Academic Fellow, and an Associate Fellow of the School of Advanced Study, University of London. We discuss her research which focuses on feminist activism, the suffrage movement, and the cultural histories of political and feminist theatre. Central’s Students' Union Women's Officers, Celeste de Palma and Lauryn Jackman, also feature.

We are joined by Ben Naylor, the course leader for MA Acting Classical, to discuss his research, his work as a director and the recent productions staged at Central for his students, including Hamlet, which will be available to stream on Central's YouTube channel in May 2021. We are also joined by Aaron Lynn and Ella Faye Donley, recent MA Acting Classical Class of 2020.

We are joined by Dr Sylvan Baker, a Lecturer in Community Performance and Applied Theatre at Central, to discuss his recent appearance on the BBC's Small Axe: The Podcast which focused on his experience of growing up in the British care system. We also talk about his work with The Verbatim Formula, which he co-Founded with Dr Maggie Inchley of Queen Mary University of London.

In March, we were joined by Dr Katharine Low, a Senior Lecturer in Community Performance and Applied Theatre at Central, for a discussion about her research, her newly published book, and the work that she and her students have been undertaking over several years and in collaboration with partner organisations in South Africa.

We catch up with Mairi Hayes and Jake Harders, graduates of Central who now work across the School's Diplomas and Short Courses to find out more about their work. We also hear from Diploma graduates Sonny Kong and Luke fox about their experiences studying at Central.

For our final episode of Series 3, Central's Access and Participation Manager Victoria Edwards sits down with alumni Tim Chaundy and Maame Atuah to talk all things Central Outreach.

For this special, bonus episode of the Discover Central podcast, we’re joined by Central students and alumni Will Sebag-Montefiore (Just These, Please) and Adwitha Arumugam, Sam Law and Aadar Malik (The Situationalists) to discuss the process of taking their shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

We chat with Dr Javeria Shah (Central’s Inclusion Specialist, Programme Leader for the Learning Centre, Lecturer on the MA Acting for Screen course and the Founding Chair of the School‘s Global Majority Staff Network) and her research collaborator from Leeds Beckett University Dr Shona Hunter, to discuss their work and their programme of events, Black History Interruptions. Central’s Student Union Black and Minority Ethnic Officer Monica Beckles-Strachan also features. 

We met with Daron Oram, Central’s Principal Lecturer in Voice, whose work and research into anti-discriminatory training practices have led him to develop a range of approaches that challenge some traditional practices within actor training. Central’s Students' Union Welfare Officer Kirsty McMunn also features.

A chat with Ayse Tashkiran, a Senior Lecturer and Central’s Co-Course Leader for the MA/MFA Movement: Directing and Teaching course, to discuss movement direction and the array of work which is being undertaken to embed inclusive practice into Movement training. Christina Fulcher, an MFA Movement: Directing and Teaching alumna whose work and research as a student on the course have carried over into her professional career as a movement director, choreographer, and teacher also features.

We sat down with Shaun Northover, Central’s Alumni and Events Manager, to discuss the benefits, events and networking opportunities available to Central’s graduates. Central’s Students' Union President and recent Class of 2020 graduate Parker Hollants also features and shares a message of support and congratulations for the Class of 2020.

We are joined by Central’s Lead Admissions Tutor, Charlène Segeral and audition panellist Nathan Armarkwei Laryea, who offer their advice, guidance and insight into the undergraduate audition process at Central. If you're thinking of applying for on one of our undergraduate Acting courses, this episode is packed with practical information that you'll find useful when making your application.

Central’s Dr Nicola Abraham (Lecturer, Applied Theatre Practices) and Dr Selina Busby (Principal Lecturer, Course Leader MA Applied Theatre, Course Leader PG Cert Applied Theatre with Young People) talk about the innovative work they are undertaking, together with Central students, to support the wider community both in the UK and globally during COVID-19 lockdown. Also featured are Central students, Darius Gervinskas and Moneka Prato about projects they've been working on which are making a difference in the lives of isolated, at risk and sheltering individuals as well as to support front line workers in the NHS.

Central’s Jessica Bowles (Principal Lecturer, Course Leader MA/MFA Creative Producing) talks about the ways her international cohort of students are collaborating and working together during lockdown, the unexpected benefits of teaching and learning in a digital space, and what changes this period of pause and reflection might have on producing and on the future of the wider performance industries. Also featured is MA Music Theatre student, Clara Coslett with her tips for staying healthy and looking after yourself in lockdown.

Central’s Dr Farokh Soltani (Lecturer, Writing for Broadcast Media and Performance) talks about working through writer’s block and tapping into your creativity in lockdown. Also featured is Theatre Practice student Jack Freestone who offers his tips for staying healthy and connected in lockdown.

Central’s Nick Moran (Senior Lecturer, Course Leader of Production Lighting and Lighting Design) talks about the 2020 BA (Hons) Theatre Practice Exhibition which for the first time has been presented in an entirely digital format. Also featured is Theatre Practice student Pedro Pendao, who shares his top tip for staying healthy and looking after yourself in lockdown.

Lara McIvor is a graduate of Central’s MA Applied Theatre course, and Lama Amine is a graduate of Central’s MFA Movement: Directing and Teaching course, they talk about their work with Lebanon and Jordan based non profit organisation Seenaryo.

On this episode, we talk to PhD candidates Alma Prelec and Gabriel Vivas-Martinez about their research and their roles as curators and co-Artistic Directors of the 2020 Theatre Times International Online Theatre Festival. They also discuss the future of digital performance and festivals, and consider the potential impact of Coronavirus on theatre productions. We also hear from final year Acting student Phillip Olagoke, with his top tip for looking after yourself in lockdown.