Our People – Andy Roberts
From former student to Associate Lecturer and Director of the at the 天美传媒官方, Andy Roberts shares his career story so far.
Tell us about your role at the university.聽
I am an Associate Lecturer in Acting for the Music Department and the Director of the ShowRoom Theatre鈥檚 Professional Programme. The ShowRoom Professional Programme brings cutting-edge contemporary performance and theatre to Chichester, offering our students a diverse range of performance styles to learn from and be inspired by.
When did you join and what brought you here?
I began working at the university in 2010, having previously been a student here in 2004. Following my university studies, I started co-running Bootworks Theatre, I was lucky enough to tour internationally, gaining extensive experience in performance, theatre-making and touring. These experiences broadened my understanding of global arts practices and motivated my return to the university. Now, I am committed to sharing my insights and curating cutting-edge contemporary work for the ShowRoom Theatre, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the current arts landscape.
What鈥檚 an average day at work like for you?
My days are a mix of teaching sessions, responding to a never-ending stream of emails, collaborating with companies, coordinating with technicians and more teaching. In the evenings, you’ll find me setting up the box office, working with students on production projects and engaging with visiting companies in the ShowRoom. Oh, and did I mention there’s always more emails waiting to be answered.
“I laugh every day, whether it’s during teaching, coordinating with colleagues, or working with students and visiting companies.”
What do you love most about working at the 天美传媒官方?
Community, community, community. Being a small university, I love how much it feels like a close-knit family where collaboration and support are always at the forefront. I laugh every day, whether it’s during teaching, coordinating with colleagues, or working with students and visiting companies.
What is your greatest achievement in your job or research?
Highlights include winning a Total Theatre Award, performing on a lake in Japan, and walking from Chichester to Edinburgh while crafting a show for the festival along the way. On a more cheesy note, there’s nothing quite like buying a ticket to one of my past students’ shows鈥攊t’s always a deeply gratifying experience.
Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to add?
Yes, here鈥檚聽a list of my favourite Fiction reads in 2024 so far. Enjoy 馃檪
- Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
- Stoner by John Williams
- Hyperion by Dan Simmons
- Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
- The Most Secret Memory of Men by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr.
