I am a director, practitioner and researcher. My primary research interests focus on metamodern cultural forms, theatre of the millennial generation, and contemporary political performance. My writing has been published in Performance Philosophy Journal and ArtsPraxis and I am the author of the first book about metamodern theatre - Metamodernism in Contemporary British Theatre: A Politics of Hope/lessness (Bloomsbury 2024). My research fuses praxis and critical scholarship, encompassing workshops, performances and publications. My teaching across all HE levels focuses on actor and director training for both stage and screen, ensemble devising skills and emerging contemporary performance practices. Professionally, I have acted and directed with award-winning, London-based theatre company Pregnant Fish Theatre since 2010. My work with the company has been described as 'precisely what theatre should try to be' (Empire of the Will). Pregnant Fish believe that theatre can be made for everyone and performed everywhere. We’ve taken shows to high streets, abandoned shops, throughout gardens and pubs as well as theatres. My work with the company has been described as ‘something bigger...ultimately uplifting’ (Wildfire) and 'precisely what theatre should try to be.' (Christopher Fear). I coordinated two national tours, three Edinburgh Fringe productions, seven professional London productions, six interactive family productions touring UK schools and outdoor spaces, and an audio drama. I also facilitate applied theatre workshops for London pupils affected by the high levels of deprivation and train PGCE students and NQTs in applying drama throughout the primary and secondary curriculums. As associate artist for Phakama from 2018–2023, I coordinated and facilitated applied theatre programmes that develop emotional resilience and familial bonding for families affected by HIV, and children with special educational needs. I am Senior Lecturer in Acting, Performance and Directing at The University of East London, the Course Leader for MA/MFA Directing for Stage and Screen, and teach across MA Acting, MA Theatre Directing and MA Contemporary Performance Practices. My teaching focuses on actor and director training, ensemble devising skills and emerging contemporary performance practices. I have taught in HE since 2015, including across BA Drama at De Montfort University and BA Drama and Performance at The University of Worcester. I was awarded my doctorate from The University of East London in June 2020. My practice as research thesis was titled 'Towards a Listening Theatre: Metamodernism, Millennials and Contemporary Political Theatre'. |
© Tom Drayton 2024