About Me

In brief:

Robert Marsden has been a freelance theatre director since 1998 and holds a PhD in acting and directing. He is the author of ‘Inside the Rehearsal Room’ available from Bloomsbury directly or Amazon.

Rob in technical rehearsal. Photograph: Andrew Billington

He is an Equity and Stage Directors UK member, a Senior Fellow of the HEA, and undertook his teacher training at Rose Bruford.

As well as his BA, MA & PhD training and studies, Robert has also taken short courses in Voice with the late Kristin Linklater (BSA), Directing for Screen with Patrick Tucker (Raindance) and Michael Chekhov Technique, Intimacy Training for Directors (ID-UK) and Shakespeare / Chekhov with Max Hafler (Chekhov Training and Performance Ireland).

Robert has worked extensively in commercial and subsidised theatre across the UK and into Europe including directing for Imagine Theatre (since 2007), Selladoor Worldwide, (since 2016), New Vic Theatre Newcastle-under-Lyme (2000-2006), Bolton Octagon, Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough, Theatre Productions (National Tours), Victoria Theatre Halifax, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Milton Keynes Theatre and Southwark Playhouse.

Repertory seasons include work for Leatherhead Theatre, Frinton Rep, and Swanage Mowlam Theatre.

He was Creative Director of Reveal Theatre Company Ltd from 1999 to 2015 and dipped his toe into Radio and Television for the BBC.

Robert is currently Director of Curriculum at Wilkes Academy Ltd, and was proudly Head of Department of Media, Performance and Communication, and an Associate Professor of Acting and Directing at Staffordshire University. He was also an Associate Dean for the Faculty during 2021-22.

Between 2018 and 2021, he was joint Artistic Director of the Mitchell Arts Centre and is a trustee for the UK Pantomime Association and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Please see DIRECTING page or TEACHING page for more details.

Other research areas, including projects and conference delivery can be found on the RESEARCH page.