Hellos and goodbyes for Drama, Production & Design

As we open applications for our Acting and Production & Design programmes, we’re excited to introduce some of the newer faces in our Drama, Production & Design faculty, as well as bidding farewell to a few more.  

At the end of the Summer Term, we welcomed Kevin Freeman as Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) in Production Arts. Kevin joined us from Norwich University of the Arts, where he was Director of Fashion and Textiles, and prior to that served as Course Leader for the BA in Costume for Theatre and Screen at Wimbledon College of Arts.  

Debra Tidd also joined the School in September as Head of Stage Management, bringing more than 30 years’ experience in theatre and live events to our Production & Design department. Debra has worked as a Stage Manager and Company Manager across the West End, throughout the UK and on international tours, with organisations including the Donmar Warehouse, Old Vic, National Theatre Productions and Young Vic. Her production credits include Billy Elliot, Les Misérables, We Will Rock You, The Prince of Egypt, & Juliet, The Crucible and Shucked.  

We were also delighted to welcome Dan Cheyne as Scenic Construction Lecturer on the BA (Hons) in Production Arts’ Design Realisation pathway. Having employed his skills as a carpenter with theatres including the Dundee Rep and Royal Opera House, as well as in building bespoke fine furniture, Dan has most recently shared his experience and knowledge of Scenic Construction with students through roles at both ArtsEd and Mountview. 

Within our Drama department, Paul Welsh has joined the BA (Hons) in Acting programme as Screen Practice Tutor. A producer and writer, Paul has developed, produced and executive produced over 100 feature-length and short films, including Winners and Lore, both official entries for the Best International Feature at the Academy Awards (for the UK and Australia respectively), Lost in France and the BAFTA-nominated Skeletons. As an educator, Paul has lectured for a decade at BA and MA level, and has spent many years delivering story and filmmaking workshops for new and emerging talent in the UK and Australia. 

The Drama department is also thrilled to welcome back Gilly Roche, who returns as Head of Interdisciplinary Practice following an extended period of parental leave. 

Finally, we bid a fond farewell to Helen Barratt at the end of September, following four years as Head of Stage Management at the School, to Jordan Rousseau, who left his role as Scenic Construction Lecturer earlier this year to join the Props Workshop at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and to Andrew Goldberg, Interim Head of Interdisciplinary Practice. 

A big Guildhall hello to Kevin, Debra, Dan and Paul, welcome back to Gilly, and goodbye to Helen, Jordan and Andrew!