Schedule of the Day
Our programme for the event on 28 June 2025 can be found below. If you've booked your place, we'd be grateful if you could complete this form to tell us which sessions you plan to attend.
10-10.30 – Welcome Refreshments and Registration.
Room: Faculty of Arts Building (FAB), Agora / Foyer
10.30-10.50 - Welcome back to Theatre and Performance Studies from Professor Nadine Holdsworth
Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 0.03
11-12.30 – Session 1 Options:
Theatre and Performance Studies: Then. A roundtable with Professor Emerita Margaret Shewring, Reader Emerita Gerry Cousin and Professor Richard Beacham (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 0.03). Chair: Dr David Coates
This roundtable session will bring together three former members of staff who each spent several decades of their careers teaching and researching in Theatre and Performance Studies at Warwick, from its founding year through to 2021. They’ll discuss how the degree changed over those five decades and will share some of their favourite memories from their time in the department. The focus will be on the 70s, 80s, 90s and early 2000s. Other former and retired staff members will be present on the day.
Alumni Panel: Theatre for Health, Wellbeing and Communities (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 0.08)
In this session you'll hear from alumni who work in applied theatre in a range of contexts. Panellists include Maria Askew (2006-2009), Head of Theatre for Community and Education at Mountview, dramatherapist Holly Samson and Beth Fiducia-Brookes, Artistic Director and CEO of Underground Lights.
Taster Practical Workshop: Climate Crisis and Theatre (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, Jim Davis Studio, FAB 0.20)
Facilitator: Dr Bobby Smith
In this session, you'll explore the research and principles behind Acting on Climate—a programme that connects young people, artists, and educators to explore how theatre can contribute to meaningful dialogue and reflection on the climate crisis. You’ll discover examples of projects created with young people, and have the opportunity to participate in interactive activities that have been used to spark creativity and foster conversation around this urgent global challenge
Playwriting Taster Workshop (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 1.01)
Facilitator: Prof. Silvija Jestrovic
Would you like to flex those creative muscles and have a go at writing a piece for the stage? This is your opportunity to re-join Silvija’s popular playwriting module for an afternoon and try out some writing exercises. By the end of the session, you will have a short piece of writing (or several) to take away.
Campus Tours: A Theatre Student’s Perspective (Meeting Place: On the FAB Foyer/ Agora Steps)
Current Theatre and Performance Studies students will take you on a tour around campus, showing you some of your old haunts, as well as some of our new facilities. This will include the former Humanities Studio, Warwick Arts Centre and our new Faculty of Arts Building.
12.30-1.45 Lunch Break
Room: Faculty of Arts Building (FAB), Agora / Foyer
1.45-3.15pm – Session 2 Options:
Theatre and Performance Studies: Now (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 0.03) Chair: Dr Ian Farnell
In this session you’ll hear current staff and students discussing what it’s like to study Theatre and Performance at Warwick in 2025. They’ll talk you through the course structure, modules, teaching experiences, facilities, and curricular opportunities. There’ll also be plenty of time for you to ask questions and reflect on how it has changed. Panellists will include current undergraduates, Orla Glynn and Brandon Lipscombe-Holt, current postgraduate researcher Emily Nicholson (who also did her undergraduate with us), and recent graduate of our 'MA Applied Theatre: Arts, Action, Change', Vishal Ratnajothy.
Alumni Panel: Working on Screen (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 0.08) Chair: Dr Rashna Nicholson
In this session we'll hear from alumni at different stages of their careers who contribute to the creation of works for the screen. The panel includes BAFTA and RTS nominated Director and Producer, Lawrence Till (1982-1985), Head of Production at King of Sunshine Productions, Susi Hollins (1987-1990), film and television actor Angus Imrie (2012-2015), Head of Creative at Happy Hour Productions, Matt Cooper (2006-2009) and recent graduate Talya Rajagukguk (2021-2024).
African Theatre Taster Seminar
Facilitator: Prof. Yvette Hutchison (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 6.02)
In this session Yvette will outline her approach to theatre in the African context for a Warwick student group, via the Woza Africa digital educational resource for schools and theatre groups that Yvette created with the Africa Women Playwrights Network (AWPN) - this can be downloaded for free here. She will also share some of her recent research in Africa.
Theatre Archives and the Material Traces of Theatre Histories (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 2.43)
Facilitator: Dr David Coates
In this session you’ll think about how and where we find theatre and performance histories in the twenty-first century. You’ll then consider how we use the material traces of the theatrical past to construct historical narratives. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to look at material traces of Britain’s theatrical past from the long nineteenth century, including playbills, acting manuals and theatrical prints.
Campus Tours: A Theatre Student’s Perspective (Meeting Place: On the FAB Foyer/ Agora Steps)
Current Theatre and Performance Studies students will take you on a tour around campus, showing you some of your old haunts, as well as some of our new facilities. This will include the former Humanities Studio, Warwick Arts Centre and our new Faculty of Arts Building
3.15pm-4pm Coffee Break
Room: Faculty of Arts Building (FAB), Agora / Foyer
4pm - 5.30pm – Session 3 Options:
Theatre and Performance Societies: Past and Present (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 0.03)
Chair: Dr Ronan Hatfull
Were you a part of WUDS, MTW, Freshblood, Codpiece, Tech Crew, or one of the many other theatre societies here at Warwick? In this session, a panel of alumni and current students will discuss their experiences and memories of the extra-curricular student theatre scene at Warwick. They include current students Maddie Atkinson, Aanya Sisodia and Lucas Agudo alongside Claire Johnson-Shuter (2005-2008), Victoria Williams (1987-1990) and Matthew Salisbury (1980-1983).
Alumni Panel: Theatre Making and the Theatre Industry Today (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 0.08) Chair: Dr Freya Verlander
In this session we'll hear from alumni at different stages of their careers who make theatre or work in the wider theatre industry today. They include recent graduate theatre-maker Louis Wharton (2020-2023), Southbank Centre Programming Assistant Emily Smart (2019-2022), Theatre Programme Manager at the Soho Theatre, Rose Abderabbani (2005-2008), arts marketing expert Emma Martin, and acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Alecky Blythe (1992-1995), best know for her verbatim musical London Road (returning to the National Theatre in June 2025).
Introduction to Stand-up Comedy (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 0.19, Theatre Studio)
Facilitator: Dr Natalie Diddams
Experience one of our new practical modules in this introduction to stand-up comedy. Whether you're looking to rekindle your passion for performance, explore new creative avenues, or simply have a laugh, this interactive workshop offers an opportunity to develop your comic skills and connect with fellow alumni.
Community Theatre Taster Workshop (Room: Faculty of Arts Building, FAB 0.16, Rehearsal Room)
Facilitator: Saul Hewish
Did you take Saul’s popular module on Community Theatre, culminating in you taking a piece of theatre into a prison context? Join Saul to revisit some of the classic games and exercises, share reminiscences of the module, and reflect on its legacy over the last 20+ years.
Campus Tours: A Theatre Student’s Perspective (Meeting Place: On the FAB Foyer/ Agora Steps)
Current Theatre and Performance Studies students will take you on a tour around campus, showing you some of your old haunts, as well as some of our new facilities. This will include the former Humanities Studio, Warwick Arts Centre and our new Faculty of Arts Building
5.30pm-7.30pm – Our Big Birthday Reception
Room: Faculty of Arts Building (FAB), FAB 0.20, Jim Davis Studio
Join us from 5.30pm for a drinks reception to mark the occasion of our 50th birthday. The event will begin with a toast to our former colleague and Chair of Theatre and Performance Studies, Professor Jim Davis, who passed away in 2023. This toast will mark the renaming of one of our black box spaces as the Jim Davis Studio.