Alumni Michele Austin stood in conversation at the House of Lords

Michele Austin at the House of Lords | Photograph: Paul Cochrane

If you have a project or update to share, you can connect via the Alumni Facebook group or contact [email protected]

Awards

Rose Bruford College was awarded the Bronze Award for Lecturers and Teaching Quality at the prestigious Whatuni? Student Choice Awards 2025 (WUSCAs) – the only London institution to be shortlisted in this category.

Rose Bruford College alumni were prominently celebrated at this year’s BAFTA Awards. Acting BA (Hons) graduate Jessica Gunning won Supporting Actress for her role in Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, adding to an already impressive sweep that includes an Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award. In her speech, Gunning reflected on her journey, saying: “I imagine the kind of then-me seeing me now, and think, ‘Little did we know.’” Mr Bates vs The Post Office won Best Limited Drama, with 2013 Acting graduate and College Fellow Sara Huxley as co-producer, and Honorary Fellow Toby Jones among the cast. ITV also received the Television Special Award for commissioning the impactful series. Mr Loverman, based on the novel by Community Theatre Arts graduate and former College President Bernardine Evaristo, stood out as the only show to win in two competitive categories: Leading Actor and Supporting Actor.

Rose Bruford College alumni and Fellows feature across several categories at the 11th National Film Awards UK. President and alumnus Ray Fearon is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for My Fault: London, which also earned nods for Best Screenplay and Best British Film. Fearon also stars in Cleaner, nominated in three categories. Gary Oldman is recognised for Best Actor for Slow Horses, while Mr Bates vs The Post Office—co-produced by alumna and Fellow Sara Huxley—earned five nominations, including one for Honorary Fellow Toby Jones. Other Best TV Drama Series contenders include Code of Silence (Beth Goddard), Mobland (Toby Jones), Baby Reindeer (Jessica Gunning), and Adolescence (Hannah Walters). Bailey Patrick appears in Marching Powder, nominated for Best British Film and Best Comedy, while KAMA, starring Matt Wakeford, is nominated for Best Independent Film.

Two Creative Lighting Control BA (Hons) students are nominated for the Student Virtual Lighting Design Award at the Profile Awards – set to take place in June at Alexandra Palace. You can see the work by nominated students James Addison and Max Tate via the Profile Awards’ website.

Events

people, dressed in formal attire at the 75th anniversary including tuxedos, suits, and elegant dresses, pose together in an ornate room with deep red wallpaper, dark wood paneling, and a large chandelier.

Alumni, Fellows and supporters of Rose Bruford College | Photos by Paul Cochrane

Rose Bruford College marked its 75th anniversary with a celebratory reception at the House of Lords. The event brought together alumni, Honorary Fellows and supporters from across the creative industries and higher education. It was a moment to reflect on the College’s legacy while looking ahead to its future and the next chapter in its journey. Speaking at the event, Professor Randall Whittaker, Principal and CEO of Rose Bruford College said: “Seventy-five years on, we are proud to carry that legacy forward. But we are not doing so by repeating what came before. We are reimagining what arts education means in a world that is rapidly evolving.”

Dr Marisa Carnesky, Programme Director for Contemporary and Popular Performance BA (Hons), premiered The Magic Thrills of Her at the Victoria & Albert Museum. The work explores the herstory of women in magic and speciality performance.

Actor Musicianship BA (Hons) students performing Macbeth

Our L5 Actor Musicianship BA (Hons) schools production of Macbeth went to Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School and performed to 220 of their students.

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

Productions

JJ from Austria performed Wasted Love in the Grand Final of Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland | Photo: © EBU/ Alma Bengtsson

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

Eurovision 2025

  • Morgan Evans (Creative Lighting Control BA (Hons), 2022), Associate Lighting Designer and Previs
  • Sam Lisher (Creative Lighting Control BA (Hons) 2017), Screen Content Producer
  • Luke J Collins (Creative Lighting Control BA (Hons) 2012), Disguise Programmer
  • Tom Young (Creative Lighting Control BA (Hons) 2013), Programming Team

Joanne Howarth as Rebecca Nurse in The Crucible at Shakespeare’s Globe, © Marc Brenner

The Crucible – Globe Theatre (until 12 July)

  • Ola Ince (Directing, 2010), Directing
  • Joanne Howarth (Theatre Arts, 1982), Playing Rebecca Nurse

Cul-de-sac – Omnibus Theatre (until 14 June)

  • David Shopland (American Theatre Arts BA (Hons), 2011), Writer, Director and Designer
  • Callum Patrick Hughes (American Theatre Arts BA (Hons), 2011), Playing Simon Waller
  • Shereen Roushbaiani (American Theatre Arts BA (Hons), 2011), Playing Ruth Townsend

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Bridge Theatre (until 20 August)

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

  • Matthew Woodyatt (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2003), Playing Mordcha and alternately Tevye
  • Carys McQueen (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2019), Playing Mirila
  • Susannah van den Berg (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 1999), Playing Rifka

Titus Andronicus – Swan Theatre, Stratford (until 7 June)

  • Rachel Bown-Williams (Acting BA (Hons), 1998), Fight and Intimacy Director
  • Pip Horobin (Technical Theatre Arts BA (Hons), 1989), Company Manager

Hamlet, Hail to the Thief – Aviva Studios, Manchester

  • Jessica Hung Han Yun (Lighting Design BA (Hons), 2014), Lighting Design
  • Tom Peters (Acting BA (Hons), 1996), Playing Polonius

Joshie Harriette (Light in Performance MA, 2023)

  • Lighting Designer on Detention, the Gary Clarke Company’s new dance theatre show exploring Section 28

Ed Parry (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2016)

  • Saxophonist with the Scissor Sisters’ UK Tour

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

  • Video and Lighting Designer on Insane Asylum Seekers at the Bush Theatre (until 7 June)

Rachel Bown-Williams (Acting BA (Hons), 1998)

  • Fight Director on Dealer’s Choice at the Donmar Warehouse (until 7 June)

Harvey Badger (Actor Musicianship BA (Hons), 2020)

  • Writer and Lyricist of Operation Beach Hut for Mikron Theatre

Hywel Morgan (TA BA (Hons), 1994)

  • Playing Roy Jenkins in The Gang of Three at the King’s Head Theatre (until 1 June)

Neil Reidman (TA BA (Hons), 1994)

  • Back in the West End, playing Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap