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Robert Marsden

Robert Marsden

Creative Director

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location of Robert MarsdenMadeley, England, United Kingdom

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Freelance Theatre Director / Writer | Higher Education Leader/ SMT member - currently at Wilkes Academy | previous Associate Professor (Acting and Directing), HoD and Associate Dean at University of Staffordshire.

  • Education

    • Higher Education Academy

      -
      Senior Fellow

    • St Joseph's College

      1989 - 1996
      English literature, Religious Studies, Geography

    • University of Wolverhampton

      2014 - 2020
      Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Acting and Directing / Rehearsal Studies

      Breakthroughs and Discoveries in Theatre Rehearsal Rooms

    • Middlesex University

      2009 - 2012
      MA Directing Theatre and Lecturing in Higher Education Distinction

      Directing and Lecturing in Higher Education

    • Aberystwyth University

      1996 - 1999
      BA (Hons) Drama

      With specialism in directing

    • Rose Bruford College

      -
      PGCLTHE

      Teacher Training for HE

  • Experience

    • Reveal Theatre Company

      Jan 1999 - Jan 2016
      Creative Director

      Directed and/or produced 15 productions, including new work, verbatim theatre, classics and contemporary drama

    • Freelance Theatre Director

      Apr 1999 - now
      Various companies

      Directed at various commercial and subsidised companies across UK and into Europe. Companies worked for since 1999 include New Vic Theatre (2001-2005), Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough, Bolton Octagon, Selladoor Worldwide, Southwark Playhouse, Bolton Octagon, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Yvonne Arnaud Guildford, Leatherhead Theatre, Swanage Repertory, Hordern Ciani Ltd, DGO, BBC Radio, Birmingham Old Rep, Scott Ritchie Productions, Cooper Hall, Milton Keynes/ATG, Greenwich Theatre, United National Productions, Theatre Productions Tours Ltd, Anton Benson Productions, RealLife Theatre/JB Shorts. Show less

    • New Vic Theatre

      Apr 2002 - Mar 2006
      Assistant then Associate Director

      Assistant Director for mainstage then Associate Director (Borderlines). Worked on over 25 productions whether mainstage, studio, outreach.

    • Aberystwyth University, University of Lincoln, MMU, Keele University

      Jul 2002 - Aug 2008
      Guest lecturer/ Associate Lecturer

      Various short term contacts lecturing in: applied and community theatre, creative company practice, directing and acting, teacher training (drama).

    • University of Staffordshire

      Jan 2006 - Feb 2024

      - Establishing, managing and leading this new department from existing departments and forming part of the Faculty/School Senior Management Team- Line manager, at one stage, of 45 academics including practitioners, researchers and professors.Teaching Excellence Fellow, responsible for mentoring HEA/incoming staff.- Courses (L3 to L8) in the department included Acting, Drama and Performing Arts, English and Creative Writing, Film and Media, VFX, Animation, Journalism, Philosophy, Music and Sound.Managing a 18 month Curriculum Redesign exercise for all courses as a transformational exercise for Levels 3 to 8: completed Sept 2023.- Strategic roles included reshaping provision and the merging of the department, with Art and Design for a new relaunch in Feb 2024. Show less

      • Interim Head of Department - Creative Industries / SMT Member- DTIB academic school

        Jan 2024 - Feb 2024

      • Head of Department: Media, Performance and Communication/ SMT for DTA School | Associate Professor

        Sept 2020 - Jan 2024

      • Interim Associate Dean / SMT member

        Aug 2021 - May 2022

      • Associate Professor (Acting and Directing)

        Aug 2017 - Sept 2020

      • Award Leader / Senior Lecturer, Drama Practice (Acting and Directing)

        Jan 2006 - Jul 2017

    • Imagine Theatre

      Jun 2007 - now
      Theatre Director

      Directing pantomime across the UK for this major pantomime producer, working closely with Steve and Sarah Boden and artistic director Eric Potts in a freelance capacity.Directing includes for Halifax Victoria Theatre (14 years); Rotherham Civic Theatre (3 years); Crewe Lyceum (3 years) plus Reading Hexagon, Loughborough Town Hall and Porthcawl Grand Pavilion directing the majority of their titles. Also supported with script/new title development, including creation of the production in a dramaturgical role, with musical arrangement creation for the new productions.Other projects include regular contributions to the 'Just Imagine' podcast series and other outreach projects. Show less

    • Creative Partnerships

      Jul 2008 - May 2010
      Creative Agent

      Creative Agent linking schools with creative industries for the national CP programme.

    • Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

      Jan 2017 - now
      Writer

      Writer of :'A Beginner's Guide to Directing Theatre' (2025) 'Inside the Rehearsal Room' (2022)

    • Mitchell Arts Centre

      Sept 2017 - Sept 2021
      Artistic Director: Theatre

      Artistic Director of the Theatre strands of the Arts Centre feeding into the student experience at Staffordshire University including graduate progression and professional opportunities.

    • UK Pantomime Association

      May 2021 - now
      Member Board Of Trustees

      Trustee for the UK Pantomime Association and chair of the Judge's Panel for the annual awards https://pantomimeassociation.co.uk/

    • Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

      Jan 2024 - now
      Board Member

      Trustee for this internationally recognised training provider.

    • WILKES ACADEMY LIMITED

      Apr 2024 - now
      Director of Curriculum / SMT member

      Supporting current curriculum and future developments, including:- Review and refresh of Degree Scheme BA (Hons) Musical Theatre, validated by University of Staffordshire- Leading on redevelopment of Schemes of Work for all disciplines for Levels 3-6- Developing HE curriculum provision opportunities- Integration of departments.- Module level leadership training and leading staff CPD opportunities.- Development of assessment, feedback and marking processes.- Leading on EDI for curriculum development. Show less

  • Licenses & Certifications

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Robert Marsden
      Runner up- Best home grown production. What’s On Stage Mar 2017 Runner Up for my production of Wind in the Willows- Old Rep Birmingham (beaten by Gangsta Granny!) of the What’s On Stage award for best home produced Midlands production of 2017.
    • Awarded to Robert Marsden
      Senior Fellow of HEA Higher Education Academy Mar 2013