Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Appoints New Roles

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School heads in to a New Academic year with new leadership, fantastic new academic staff appointments and a calendar of exciting productions!

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is taking bold new steps into the future with a new Leadership team unveiled, along with other key appointments secured for the next academic year.

Stuart Harvey has moved into the role of School Principal, having previously worked as Director of Studies for the last 4 years. Stuart is the first ‘alumni’ (a 2007 Directing graduate) to hold the position of Principal in the School’s 79 year history.

“As the new Principal - and the first alum to hold the role - it is an honour to contribute to this extraordinary legacy” - Stuart Harvey

Tom Beasley will be joining as Charity CEO from November, following a successful 6 year tenure as CEO of community focused charity Active Gloucestershire.

The School is excited to welcome a new cohort of Postgraduate students across Acting, Directing, Voice, Design, and Writing, and our BA Undergraduate second and third year students return to the School to continue their studies. As we prepare for our 80th anniversary year, we are being reminded of the tremendous legacy of the past and their influence on our current and future cohorts.

Applications are also open for next year’s 2026 Postgraduate intake across the six ever-popular MA and MFA programs. Applications close in Feb/March depending on the course, with more information on the School’s website.

Aside from the new and returning students arriving, the School are excited to be welcoming a number of new faces on the staff team - including Emma Callander who joins as Artistic Director, Dr Almiro Andrade as Head of MA Drama Directing and Myles Horgan as Head of MA Screen Acting.

"I am honoured to be stepping into the role of Artistic Director at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School at this exciting moment in its long and rich history.
I am excited to start work with this brilliant team, to develop our vision of an inclusive, diverse training of the highest quality for the creative artists of the future. I'm a born and raised Bristolian, I've cut my teeth as a teacher and developed my skills as a director here over the past decade - so Bristol Old Vic Theatre School holds a dear place in my heart" -  Emma Callander

Looking ahead - the School’s autumn term is as busy as ever, with tickets on sale for two autumn productions - Government Inspector playing at the city’s Tobacco Factory Theatres from 8-15 November and A Christmas Carol playing at Clifton College’s Redgrave Theatre from 24-29 November.

There are also two regional school tours going out on the road in November and December, which will visit almost 40 different primary schools in Bristol and the wider South West region - introducing c.5,000 children to the beauty and magic of live theatre. 2nd Year BA Professional Acting students will be performing a twist on Lewis Carroll’s classic with Wonderland (a great introduction to puppet work), plus an original piece Once Upon A Winter that celebrates differences and creativity.