Pioneering performance takes centre stage in Coventry

Performance training to fit an internet age will come into the spotlight when Coventry welcomes its latest visiting professor to help explore the future of arts and media.  

Scott Graham, co-founder of theatre company, Frantic Assembly will cement long-standing links with the university when he stands as lead contributor to a two-day exploration of modern day performance training.

The internationally acclaimed artistic director is one of eight set to speak at the university’s symposium on November 4 and 5 where students and industry experts will consider the future of performance training in an internet age.

The Future of Performer Training in the 21^st Century event will kick-start Scott’s visiting professorship and explore questions inducing how important will online technologies become, and is a different kind of training needed for a different kind of theatre.

Coventry University's collaboration with Frantic Assembly has been running for over a decade and has already helped hundreds of performing arts students work between both platforms on innovative theatre-making initiatives.

It now includes a unique postgraduate course in collaborative theatre making which brings the two institutions together through online learning and performance.  

Scott Graham, artistic director at Frantic Assembly, said: 

I am thrilled to begin my role as visiting professor with Coventry University. Together we aim to encourage a better understanding of collaborative theatre making and how we can develop the skills of students, practitioners and academics.

“Collaboration has always been at the heart of my work and I am very excited about what we can learn together.”

Dr Natalie Garrett, head of Coventry’s School of Media and Performing Arts, said: 

We are so pleased to welcome Scott back for this partnership. His visiting professorship will help us cement a long-standing and very successful working relationship with Frantic Assembly.

“We believe that Scott’s substantial experience will further contribute to all of our students’ exposure to current and leading theatre practice and are very excited for what this means for the future of our students’ work.”

For further press information please contact Hannah Smith, press officer, on 02477658352 or email hannah.smith@coventry.ac.uk.