York St John University appoints first Theatre Artist-in-Residence

Alex graduated from the University in 2017 with a first class honours degree in Theatre and was awarded the 2017 York Theatre Royal Graduate Prize. He will be organising and curating various events and performances over the year including the current exhibition Opening up the Archives: 50 Years of Theatre at York St John University.

Alex is a director, designer and theatre maker primarily interested in ‘The Theatre of Images’ and his work explores diverse genres from contemporary opera to performance art.

The role will run throughout the 2017/18 academic year, in conjunction with the York Theatre Royal’s Graduate Prize. As part of the residency he has been commissioned to create three new pieces of work.

The initial piece of work will see the new Artist-in-Residence working with first year students on the Drama and Theatre, Drama and Dance and Drama: Education & Community to animate the York St John Carol Concert at the Minster.

Alex will also have an opportunity to develop his style as an opera director, creating a contemporary opera of Euripides MEDEA, exploring the life and death of the opera singer Maria Callas. Working with students from the University and local artists throughout the year, the performance will premiere at York Theatre Royal in March as part of the York Literature Festival and will then tour to further venues.

The third project will be to direct York St John University’s contribution to the Wagon Mystery Plays in Summer 2018, working across all the departments and years to create a huge spectacular show utilising live music, dance and theatre to present one of the dramatic biblical tales The Mystery Plays have to offer.

Talking about his new role Alex said; “I am excited to take-up this residency and look forward to working with the new theatre intake and current students from across the University and hope to make dynamic, relevant and challenging theatre that reflects the diversity of practice and creative freedom that is the hall-mark of theatre at York St John.”

You can keep up to date with all events in conjunction with the 50th year celebrations via the Theatre blog.