Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre

Established in 2007, Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre is devoted to fostering a critical and creative culture in which artists can develop their practice. We offer practitioners the opportunity to engage in dialogue with theatre critics and scholars, to pursue and research current theatre projects, and to benefit from the expertise available at Birkbeck.

The Centre hosts a range of events that promote an ongoing public discussion around the role, future and function of theatre practice. For 2012-13, the focus of these events is Patronage, in relation to how artwork is commissioned, supported, funded, and financed in the contemporary moment and historically.

In the past, we have welcomed distinguished speakers including:

• Samuel West
• Phillip Ridley
• Alecs Sierz
• Richard Bean
• Janelle Reinelt
• David Edgar
• Lyn Gardner
• Karen Fricker
• John Stokes
• Josie Rourke
• Simon Stephens
• Sean Holmes
• Colin Teevan
• Rebecca Lenkiewicz
• Roy Williams
• Grayson Perry
• Diane Torr
• Simon Scardifield

As part of this mission to foster artist development, the centre hosts residencies for artistic associates and honorary research fellowships in which theatre makers, writers, scholars and critics make use of the resources available through the dedicated studio spaces and offices at our theatre building on Tavistock Square.

The Centre’s work is closely associated with Birkbeck’s degree programmes in Theatre Studies, Directing, Producing and Creative Writing.