Speakers

We are delighted to welcome the following members of the University community to the stage:

Sir Gregory Doran (BA 1980, Hon DLitt 2011), former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company

Former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Beginning as an actor after graduating from the University of Bristol, Sir Gregory has championed diversity in theatre throughout his career. His groundbreaking casting decisions paved the way for greater inclusivity in the industry, and he was instrumental in bringing the RSC to cinemas and schools around the country with the Live from Stratford-upon-Avon programme. This spring, he returned to the rehearsal room to direct Gogol’s classic comedy The Government Inspector at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

Heidi Vaughan (BA 2005), Artistic Director and CEO of Tobacco Factory Theatres

Artistic Director and CEO of the Tobacco Factory Theatres. With an extensive background in youth and community theatre, Heidi takes audiences on imaginative journeys, nurtures talent and provides opportunities for joy. She strives to reflect and serve local audiences in South Bristol with broad and varied programming. Her recent production of The Winter’s Tale brought Shakespeare back to the Tobacco Factory’s in-house programme for the first time since 2019.

Polly Davis (MSc 2012), Executive Director of Ad Infinitum

Executive Director at internationally acclaimed theatre company Ad Infinitum. With a background in production and project management roles across the performing arts, Polly has a wealth of experience leading diverse organisations and creating transformative theatre. She is also a trustee at Knowle West Media, with former experience as governor at Barton Hill Academy and Director of Bristol Refugee Festival. Ad Infinitum is currently touring Last Rites, a boundary-breaking show about family and loss which will be coming to Bristol Old Vic in July.

Dr Kirsty Sedgman, cultural studies scholar at the University of Bristol Department of Theatre

An award-winning cultural studies scholar specialising in audiences, experience, behaviour, and communication. A ‘Doctor of Audiences’ in the Department of Theatre, her research investigates the way audiences engage with culture and informs our understanding of the role the arts play in society. Her newest edited book, ‘Theatre Fandom’ (May 2025) explores how theatre can harness the power of fans to drive deeper engagement and create longstanding fans of theatre.

Theatre Collection

The University of Bristol Theatre Collection will also be on hand to show guests a selection of treasures from their archives. Founded in 1951, the Collection is one of the world’s largest archives of British theatre history holding artworks, costumes, programmes and more. On the night, staff from the Collection will invite guests to play with ‘Making A Scene’, a workshop-in-a-box that uses 3D augmented reality (AR) technology to help bring the art of theatre production to life for young people.

Registrations are closed

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