The Society for Theatre Research: Annual Lecture Series

The Society for Theatre Research Lecture Series has been running since 1952 and continues to showcase leading research and practice in the field of British performance.

The next Lecture in the series is In Conversation: The Conundrum of the Black Female Theatre Director on Wednesday 20th March 2024.

When actor and director Yvonne Brewster graduated from Rose Bruford drama school in 1959, she was told that it would be hard for her to get work.  Undaunted, in 1986 Brewster co-founded Talawa, providing opportunities for Black theatre-makers, creating writing workshops and encouraging women directors.  Theatre of Black Women (1982–1988) was Britain’s first black women’s theatre company, founded by Bernardine Evaristo, Patricia Hilaire and Paulette Randall.  Since those pioneer days, much has changed for Black women directors, and arguably UK theatre may now be facing a ground-breaking moment.

In Conversation events are informal sharings with theatre-makers and practitioners. Director Karen Tomlin will discuss her experiences and recent doctoral research on Black female directors.

The Speaker: Karen Tomlin has worked as a Theatre Practitioner and Artist for over twenty five years. She initially trained as an actor, studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Working for theatre companies such as The Globe and The National Theatre. As a theatre director making work for theatre companies such as Paines Plough, Clean Break, The Gate, and Ovalhouse Theatre and the Theatre Royal Stratford East.

She has extensive experience working within actor training conservatoires; these include Royal Central school of Speech and Drama, Arts Educational, Rose Bruford, RADA. Guildhall Drama School and currently at LAMDA.

She is a qualified teacher in Post Compulsory Education ( University College London, Institute of Education) and has a Masters in Applied from ( Royal Central School of Speech and Drama). She recently submitted her doctoral research at Queen Mary University of London entitled The ‘Body Out of Place: The Conundrum of the Black Female Theatre Director.

This event is free and open to the public. You don’t have to be a member, but it is essential to book to let us know if you will be coming in person or watching via the zoom livestream. Links to the livestream will be emailed to those who have booked and also added to the event before it starts.

To book an ONLINE ticket, follow this link: https://www.str.org.uk/product/in-conversation-the-conundrum-of-the-black-female-theatre-director-join-online/

To book an IN-PERSON ticket, follow this link: https://www.str.org.uk/product/in-conversation-the-conundrum-of-the-black-female-theatre-director-join-in-person/

We look forward to seeing you there!