27 June 2013

University appoints Theatre Studies Professor

'Picture of Mark Robson should be credited to Lee Howell

The University of Dundee has appointed acclaimed academic and playwright Mark Robson to the post of Chair in English and Theatre Studies.

Professor Robson, who joins Dundee from the University of Nottingham, will head up the unique Masters Degree programme in Theatre Studies developed in partnership with Dundee Rep Theatre. He will also teach on other English undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at Dundee.

The MLitt Theatre Studies combines expertise from the School of Humanities and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design at the University, with professional input from Dundee Rep. The highly distinctive programme provides opportunities to study Theatre Design, Writing for the stage and screen, Directing, Theatre criticism and a range of other modules.

Professor Robson has published extensively on dramatists such as Shakespeare and Jonson, as well as literary and critical theory, rhetoric and aesthetics, literature, film and visual culture, comparative literature and translation. He has previously held posts at the Universities of Manchester and Leeds as well as writing plays himself.

Professor Robson was earlier this year selected as one of the 'Traverse 50' playwrights on attachment for a year to help Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre celebrate its 50th anniversary.

'With Dundee being in the running to become UK City of Culture, the V&A at Dundee project and other developments this is a very exciting time to be coming here,' he said.

'I'm very excited by the challenge ahead of me. I was attracted to this post partly because of the opportunity to help shape a unique and innovative programme and partly because of the collaboration with Dundee Rep. This really is a unique opportunity for both students and staff to work with actors and other theatre professionals.

'The English programme at Dundee is already doing wonderful work in terms of creative writing in prose and poetry, and I want to complement these existing strengths by adding my experience as a writer of drama.

'There is a great chance to enhance the cultural life of the city by working with the Rep, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee Literary Festival, V&A at Dundee, and DJCAD to make Theatre Studies a core component of its creative output.'

The partnership between the University and Dundee Rep builds on the positive relationship which has existed between the two neighbouring institutions for decades, the aim being to foster a culture of creativity and stimulate dynamic engagements across a number of areas of activity.

Also innovative is the combination of theoretical study with highly practical engagement within a live theatre environment. This will enable students through internships and access to the Rep staff and its facilities to realise in practice and performance the fruits of academic study.

This partnership forms part of the wider vision of a 'Creative Campus' which will stimulate a clustering of shared practice by students, arts practitioners and the wider community of Dundee, Tayside and beyond.

Professor David Finkelstein, Dean of the School of Humanities, welcomed Professor Robson to the University, saying, 'Theatre Studies is one of a number of dynamic programmes in the School that are helping to power the vision of the Creative Campus.

'We are looking forward to Mark Robson taking up his post and playing a central role in Dundee's cultural output and creative talent.'

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
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