ArtsEd Appoints Director Of The School Of Acting

Julie Spencer has three decades' experience as actor, director and teacher

ArtsEd has announced that Julie Spencer has been appointed as the new Director for The School of Acting. She will be taking up her new post in January 2019.

Prior to ArtsEd, Julie was Head of Drama at St Mary’s University and has worked extensively in the profession as an actor, director and practitioner for over 30 years. She has spent two decades teaching and directing Higher Education and Conservatoire actor training courses.

Throughout this time, Julie has taught students at the Central School of Speech and Drama, the Malta Drama Centre, the Kingston Little Theatre in Jamaica, Bulgaria and Milan - and has also delivered Masterclasses at RADA.

Internationally, Julie directs classical performances on the MA Theatre Studies course at Milan University, and is a Theatre Associate of Color de Ventura in Santiago, Chile. She is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the European Shakespeare Research Society.

As an actor, Julie was fortunate to work for various theatre, TV and film companies, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, Glasgow Citizens, the Bush Theatre and the Tricycle Theatre, and with Directors such as Sam Mendes, Danny Boyle, Michael Attenborough and Nick Hynter in various productions.

This year, Julie is honoured to be shortlisted for the Diversity Champion Award in Education which is celebrated at the Inclusive Companies Awards (formerly the Excellence in Diversity Awards), to celebrate those who go above and beyond the call of duty to improve the lives of others in workplaces and communities around them.

Principal Chris Hocking commented, "I am delighted about Julie’s appointment as Director for the School of Acting. Her impressive depth of national and international expertise matched with the sheer diversity and know-how from her background in acting and education means that Julie is exceptionally well qualified to lead ArtsEd’s dynamic School of Acting and its inspirational tutors.”

Julie Spencer said, “ArtsEd has developed a reputation for nurturing the talent of a notably diverse student body and for creating exceptionally confident and creative young performers who grace stages and screens across the world.

"This is why I feel extremely privileged to be taking on the role of Director of The School of Acting next year. I look forward to working with all the talented students and high calibre staff and adding to the excellence behind ArtsEd’s world-class training."

October 16, 2018