Theatre Centre artistic director departs

ROB WATT, the artistic director of Theatre Centre, is to step down after five years in post to pursue freelance directing and dramaturgical opportunities.

During his tenure, Watt established the company’s Future Makers initiative, which engages young people around the UK with conversations, workshops and creative projects that inform Theatre Centre’s productions.

Watt also teaches at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, works with the Institute of the Arts Barcelona and is a governor at Addy and Stanhope Secondary School in Lewisham.

He was previously an associate at Headlong Theatre and headed up the youth programme at the National Theatre.

Theatre Centre has also announced the appointment of seven new trustees, who will participate in the search for the next artistic director, which starts immediately.

The new board members are actor, trainer and writer JAMES COONEY; drama teacher BENJAMIN EVA-GRIFFITHS; head of creative engagement at Kiln Theatre and chair of London Theatre Consortium’s Creative Learning group ROMANA FLELLO; theatre practitioner and community producer at Bush Theatre JOANNE LEUNG; geopolitical advisor to Eastern Europe and Central Asia for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office KIERAN LINES; architect, artist and academician at the Royal West of England Academy of Art KARL SINGPOREWALA; and associate director at Stoke New Vic Theatre and associate artist at Birmingham Rep CAROLINE WILKES.

Watt said: “It has been a privilege and a career highlight to lead Theatre Centre for the past five years. The company’s dedication to nurturing creativity, amplifying diverse voices, and creating work that truly resonates with and for young people has been nothing short of inspiring.”

Chair of Theatre Centre, REBECCA MAJOR, commented: “It’s been a joy to see the immense impact that Rob has had on Theatre Centre’s work. Theatre Centre has always thrived on innovation and challenging the status quo, and by creating the Future Makers process, Rob leaves us with a legacy of placing young people at the centre of our productions, our work, and our ideas.”