University of Warwick launches search for long-lost Theatre and Performance Studies graduates to help celebrate the department’s 50th birthday

Theatre and Performance Studies at The University of Warwick is turning 50 in 2025, and the department is appealing for their former students to come home and help mark the half-century milestone.

Since opening its doors in 1975, Warwick’s Theatre and Performance Studies department has grown into one of the UK's most distinctive creative communities, and helped shape the careers of acclaimed alumni including director Dominic Cooke; playwright Alecky Blythe; and actors Alex Jennings, and Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones.

Now, as it celebrates its golden anniversary with a major reunion event on 28 June 2025, the University is appealing for alumni to reconnect, share their stories, and contribute to the department’s living legacy.

“We’ve lost touch with many of our graduates, particularly from the 70s, 80s and 90s,” said Assistant Professor David Coates, who is organising the anniversary celebrations. “We want to hear where their lives and career trajectories took them, in the arts, creative industries and beyond.

“Our alumni are an essential part of our story as well as our best advocates and inspiration for future generations of students. We’d love them to get back in touch via our website to share their stories.”

Professor Coates has extended a warm invitation to all Warwick’s theatre alumni to reunite on campus for what promises to be a joyous reunion and help celebrate the department’s 50^th birthday in style.

“The event will bring together alumni from across the decades to re-connect, celebrate our history and contemplate our future. We have a full programme of nostalgic taster seminars, practical workshops and alumni discussion panels that are all bookable online, as well as campus tours led by current Theatre and Performance Studies students that will visit old haunts and showcase some of our fantastic new facilities.”

As part of the anniversary, the department is also working to expand the University archive.

“Our Theatre Studies archive is currently too formal, and we would like more colour and character,” added Professor Coates. “We’re appealing for photos, programmes, module notes, flyers and any other memorabilia material that can help capture the spirit of student life in the department over our five decades. If you're interested in contributing, please do get in touch.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

ACCOMPANYING IMAGE:

Ruth Jones and Paul [Stevens/Storcus?], 3rd Year Theatre Studies Students, in 'Casina' by Plautus, circa 1988. Credit: photo by Huw Evans. Held by the Modern Records Centre at The University of Warwick UWA/Photos/IV.A.1/3/19. Hi-res version available on request.

LINKS:

🔗 Department’s history: Our HistoryLink opens in a new window
🔗 Share your story: Alumni StoriesLink opens in a new window
🔗 Book your place: Reunion DetailsLink opens in a new window

Memorabilia contributions for the Modern Records Centre: email D.J.Coates@warwick.ac.uk

COMING SOON:

TaPRA 27-29 August 2025 - University of Warwick

The Theatre and Performance Research Association (TaPRA) Annual Conference will also be hosted by the University of Warwick in 2025, celebrating two important landmarks: the 50th birthday of Theatre and Performance Studies at Warwick, and the 20th Anniversary of TaPRA.

University of Warwick press office contact: 

Ann Baylis, Media & Communications Officer

ann.baylis@warwick.ac.uk / Mobile: 07876 876937

General and out of hours press office number +44 (0)7392 125605 (please call as emails are not checked out of office hours)

29/5/25