Gilly Roche

Biography

Gilly specialises in creating inclusive, postdisciplinary environments for the development of new artistic ideas and practices. Their research explores the queer potentiality of the early, R&D stages of artmaking.

At Guildhall, they oversee Making It - the School's artist development programme. Available from the first day of training until five years after graduation, it's a rolling programme of opportunities dedicated to supporting artists to create, collaborate, innovate and build sustainable careers. They are the Director of Making It Festival, the School's annual celebration of new, original work created by students from across Guildhall. 

Based primarily within the Drama Department, Gilly leads the Self-Led Practice strand within the BA (Hons) Acting Programme and chairs the department's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. They oversee the School's annual Cross School Project - bringing every first year undergraduate student together to collaborate and share ideas. 

Prior to Guildhall, Gilly was New Work Producer at Leeds Playhouse. During their tenure, new work developed by the Playhouse won or was nominated for two Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Awards; multiple Fringe Firsts; the Stage Special Award and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for Playwriting. Originally from Glasgow, Gilly has worked as a producer with the National Theatre of Scotland, the Citizens Theatre, Leeds Playhouse and freelance, and as a graphic designer in Barcelona and San Francisco. They're a fellow of AdvanceHE and a Trustee for the award-winning, campaign-led verbatim theatre company, LUNG.