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Awards

Bernardine Evaristo smiles while holding the Women’s Prize for Fiction’s bronze statuette, having received the Outstanding Contribution to Writing award. She wears a bright green shirt and a colorful patterned headband, standing in front of a backdrop featuring the Women's Prize Trust and Bukhman Philanthropies logos

Bernardine Evaristo accepting the Women’s Prize Outstanding Contribution Award | Photo: Ian West © PA Media

Several of our community members were recognised for their contributions in The King’s Birthday Honours: PhD student Daniel Swift MBE, for services to the arts and people with disabilities; alumnus Sir Gary Oldman, for services to drama; and Honorary Fellow Adjoa Andoh MBE, for her contributions to drama

Rose Bruford College alumna, fellow and former President Bernardine Evaristo OBE was named the recipient of the Women’s Prize for Fiction’s Outstanding Contribution Award. This special one-off honour marks the 30th anniversary of the prestigious prize.

Acting BA (Hons) student Mani Lad was named one of the winners of the 2025 Lilian Baylis Awards. The awards, given by the Royal Victoria Hall Foundation, were presented at The Old Vic by Olivier Award-winning actor Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi, The Father and the Assassin).

At The Profile Awards, Lighting Design BA (Hons) alumni Jessica Hung Han Yun, Sarah Readman, and Joshua Pharo, along with MA Light in Performance alum Joshie Harriette, received awards, while Creative Lighting Control students James Addison and Max Tate were nominated in the student category. The awards celebrate outstanding lighting design in UK Theatre and Television.

Events

Colorful sci-fi-themed set with bold red, orange, and white geometric wall designs, futuristic consoles, and a central platform under vivid pink, purple, and blue lighting. A mannequin with a black dress stands near a labeled “Airlock” door, and a TV screen on the left displays a live feed or recording of the same set in use. The event celebrates our recent alumni and graduates

Face to Face 2025 industry showcase

Face to Face, our annual industry showcase celebrating the talents of students graduating from undergraduate Design and Production courses took over campus with displays of work by students from six disciplines: Audio Production, Costume Production, Creative Lighting Control, Lighting Design, Scenic Arts and Stage Management. Find out more and see the programme with this year’s students.

The International Federation for Theatre Research’s General Conference took place in Cologne, featuring presentations and panel discussions with Rose Bruford College academics including Dr. Karen Morash, Professor Stephen Farrier, Professor Nick Hunt, Dr. Ben Burratta, Dr. Joe Parslow, Dr. Marina Hadjilouca, Dr. Joseph Dunne-Howrie, Dr. Jon Venn and Dr. Phoebe Patey-Ferguson. Find out more about research at Rose Bruford College.

Visit our What’s On page to find out about upcoming events at Rose Bruford College.

Productions

A group of seven people sit and stand around a small round table under a hanging stained glass lamp on stage in The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs at Kiln Theatre. They're laughing and mid-conversation, sharing drinks and snacks, with one woman in a wheelchair holding a cat plush toy. The warm lighting and their joyful expressions suggest a scene of camaraderie and community.

Fanta Barrie (top left) and the company of The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs at Kiln Theatre | Photo: (c) Mark Senior

Here are some of the productions and shows which arrived in June:

Scouts! The Musical – UK Tour

  • David Fallon (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2019), music & lyrics
  • Kemi Clarke (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2021) played Scout Leader Dylan
  • Heather Gourdie (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2021) played Narrator/Swing
  • Burhan Kathawala (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2023) played Joe
  • Rob Gathercole (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2015) played Luke/Linus Lionheart in and was Musical Director

Fiddler on the Roof – Barbican Theatre (until 19th July)

  • Susannah van den Berg (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 1999) playing Rifka
  • Matthew Woodyatt (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2003) playing Mordcha and alternately Tevye
  • Carys McQueen (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2019) playing Mirila
  • Yarit Dor (MA, 2008) Fight and Intimacy Director

Katie Brayben (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2003)

Yarit Dor (Fellow and MA Theatre Directing, 2008)

Kadell Herida (Acting BA (Hons), 2016)

  • Following his recent run at The National, played Jadon Sancho in Dear England at The Lowry

Luke Haywood (Lighting Design BA (Hons), 2010)

  • Lighting designer on Inside Giovanni’s Room at Sadler’s Wells East

Joshua Pharo (Lighting Design BA (Hons), 2010)

  • Lighting designer on The Reckoning at the Arcola Theatre

Gillian Tan (Stage Management BA (Hons), 2011)

  • Video consultant on Stars: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey at Brixton House
  • Video designer on Elephant at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Eben James (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2017)

  • Played Bill in Martha at the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Fanta Barrie (Acting BA (Hons), 2018)

Alex Holmes (Stage and Events Management BA (Hons), 2021)

  • Assistant Stage Manager on Die Fledermaus at Grange Park Opera (until 5th July)

Giulia Mazzoccanti (Stage and Events Management BA (Hons), 2022)

  • Stage manager on The Flying Dutchman at Holland Park Theatre

Joshie Harriette (MA Light in Performance, 2023)

  • Lighting designer on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Dream Ballets: A Triple Bill at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Sam Barnes (Audio Production BA (Hons), 2023)

  • Sound No.1 on The Frogs at Southwark Playhouse

Rob Woodley (Lighting Design BA (Hons), 1998)

  • Technical Manager for Studio ZNA managed the delivery of relighting gallery spaces for the National Gallery’s C C Land: The Wonder of Art – a major redisplay of its collection to mark its 200th anniversary.