We enjoy a rich network of relationships with the creative industries at local, regional and national levels.
We have ongoing relationships with South Street Arts Centre, Theatre Royal Stratford East and film studio MotionBlurr at Pinewood Studios.
We also partner with industry and arts institutions in our research. Many of our PhD students bring their own experiences of professional practice to the Department.
Recent visiting professionals to the Department include Actors for Human Rights, theatre company RashDash, and alumni such as playwright Duncan Macmillan and director Rachel Heyburn.
Who we work with
Why work with us?
Working with the Department of Film, Theatre & Television gives you access to dedicated arts students as well as our wealth of academic and practical expertise.
Our
students benefit from learning from and working with industry professionals and
creative arts institutions.
They can develop a deep knowledge of career pathways and
what it means to be a creative practitioner in a range of contexts.
We aim to forge long-term partnerships that foster innovation, knowledge-sharing and learning, while giving students career links and industry a pool of new talent.
Shinfield Studios
Shinfield Studios is the anchor tenant of the University of Reading's ‘Cine Valley' project, which aims to foster a film and TV hub, expertise and skills around the University of Reading. In partnership with Shinfield Studios and Bedlam Film Productions, the University of Reading has recently launched Screen Berkshire, to support the ongoing growth of the film and high end television (HETV) production industry in the region. The partnership will provide opportunities for work and training to build on the regional screen skills talent pool, improve diversity in the industry and support productions that are filming in the region. Shinfield Studios hosted the event on one of its 13 completed sound stages. The site will be fully operational in early 2024 and includes 18 sound stages, a 9-acre filming backlot, workshop facilities, contemporary office space, sustainable facilities and production support facilities, such as post- production services.
South Street Arts Centre
Our relationship with the South Street Arts Centre saw the creation of Development and Diversity through Theatre, an Arts Council-funded project.
This associate artist scheme enables the Department to work more closely with theatre companies, including Action Hero, RedCape Theatre and Dante or Die, in order to develop their work and provide opportunities and creative exposure to current students.
The idea for this development scheme emerged following a successful pilot piece, Focus Group, which allowed students to attend research and development sessions followed by open access rehearsals of the work in later development.
Theatre Royal Stratford East
Our Home Theatre (UK) collaboration with Theatre Royal Stratford East enabled our students to work as associate artists. They worked on one-person performances staged in different homes across London, as part of a third-year Contemporary Performance module.
The module explores current performance practice, including works in non-theatrical contexts and the functioning of digital technologies in live performance.
Students were able to add to their portfolio of relevant practice, as well as develop their professional experience and proficiency.
Image credit: Barnabas Wilhelm
For the students involved, Theatre Royal Stratford's Home Theatre (UK) project proved a profound experience. It enabled students to work with theatre practitioners in a professional environment, and to contribute to the development of performance made under unusual and stimulating time constraints.
Professor John Gibbs, Head of the School of Arts & Communication Design
Want to work with us?
We are actively seeking working relationships with industry professionals and institutions who can provide our students with practical exposure.
We often host masterclasses with industry professionals and welcome the opportunity to work with leading figures in the industry, as well as theatre companies and film studios.
If you have a project you would like to discuss with us, or a more general request, please get in touch.
Our research
Find out more about our research projects, which include an exciting range of work on contemporary practices and their context and histories.
Our facilities
Our versatile theatre spaces, cinema auditorium, film and TV studio, and post-production suites all support teaching and research.
Our staff
Find out who works in our Department, including our academics, lecturers and support staff.