Steven Dykes
London
Summary
Accomplished Senior Lecturer with extensive subject & industry knowledge; an expertise in strategic planning & leadership roles; and considerable experience of programme validation & curriculum design. Demonstrates an exceptional ability to lead faculty, engage students, and foster inter-disciplinary collaboration. Proven track record in vocational training and professional development, with a focus on creating impactful learning opportunities for both students and faculty through international partnerships and exchanges.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work history
Programme Director
Rose Bruford College
Sidcup, Kent
01.2001 - Current
- Leading the American Theatre Arts (BA Hons) from its outset, through numerous external reviews, revalidation processes and programme re-writes & modifications, establishing a clear vision and sector-leading standards for success.
- Responsible for recruiting, line-managing and deploying a wide range of teaching staff, visiting professionals and post-graduate placements to deliver programme objectives and ensure student well-being & satisfaction (achieving 100% NSS positivity rates year on year.)
- Establishing international exchange programmes with a dozen American colleges, facilitating Semester Abroad Study for over 500 students.
- Responsible for auditioning and final selection of annual undergraduate cohort; main director/producer of public season & showcases. Chief liaison with admissions & marketing officers and US partners.
- Collaborating with numerous programme teams at undergraduate & postgraduate level to develop and implement innovative inter-disciplinary practice.
- Defining programme budget, supporting collegiate financial objectives and providing leadership in a complex and changing environment, promoting agility and resilience among staff and students.
- Establishing relationships with practitioners such as Mojisola Adebayo, Anni Domingo, d'bi.young anitafrika, Samia La Virgne, Monique Touko, Forrest McClendon and Nicole Charles to run workshops, teach modules and direct productions in the programme's annual public season.
Associate Lecturer
Goldsmiths, University of London
London
09.1996 - Current
- Convenor of two bespoke courses for Visiting International Students: 'London Theatre' and 'Acting in London'.
- Teaching practical classes for performance students and organising field trips for the seminar-based study of professional theatre productions.
- Fostering an inclusive learning environment, promoting diversity and respect amongst students from all over the world.
- Selecting curricula based on students' interests, aptitude and ability.
- Keeping up-to-date with latest research in field to ensure relevancy of course content.
Guest Lecturer
Centre College, Kentucky
London
02.2006 - Current
- Developing and delivering curriculum for London programme of leading American university (10 weeks annually)
- Collaborating with faculty members on research projects, contributing to the university's intellectual profile.
- Designing exams, assessments and course content, including lecture material and writing assignments.
- Organising educational activities and field trips to drive learning objectives and promote engagement.
- Encouraging open classroom debates to provide a platform for diverse perspectives on topics discussed.
Playwright
Various
Various
01.1992 - Current
- 1994 - 97 Writer-in-Residence for the performance ensemble of the MA in Theatre Arts at Goldsmiths, University of London, commissioned to write plays and musicals tailored for specific ensembles for performances in London venues.
- 2001-2005 Continued to create new work annually for the MA Theatre Practices (University of Manchester) and since 2000 have written 18 plays for specific companies and education groups.
- Original plays regularly receive further productions in the UK and USA.
- Workshop new plays with professional companies and facilitated learning environments for emerging playwrights.
- Conduct in-depth research - including location visits, archival investigations, interviews with primary sources - into diverse topics to create richly-detailed historically accurate works.
- Consistently excellent reviews from critics and audiences.
- Receipt of awards and funding from The Arts Council of England, Yorkshire Arts, The Arvon Foundation, The Knowledge East Enterprise Network, The Knowledge Transfer Partnership, The Keith Hutton Bursary for Performing & Creative Arts and the Bush Theatre International Playwright Award 1998 (shortlisted).
- See List of playwriting credits below.
Actor
Various
Various
10.1988 - Current
- Maintained a parallel career as a professional actor with performances onstage and screen throughout the UK and on tour including the Old Vic, Young Vic, Chichester Festival Theatre, The Wrestling School, BBC, ITV, and Universal / CBS Studios.
- Appeared in leading roles in the premieres of new work.
- Collaborated with leading figures in the industry.
- Member of the PTP/NYC ensemble, appearing in four seasons off-Broadway (2011-17) at the Atlantic Theatre Stage II, New York.
- Applied professional experience and network contacts directly to teaching practice.
Education
Fellow -
The Higher Education Academy
United Kingdom 08/2014 -
Post-Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching -
University of Manchester
Manchester 09/2013 - 01/2014
Bachelor of Arts - English and Drama
Goldsmiths, University of London
London 10/1983 - 06/1986
Skills
- Strategic planning
- International Exchange facilitation
- Subject and Industry expertise
- Curriculum design and course material development
- Inter-disciplinary collaboration
- Active practical research profile
- Vocational training and professional development
- Faculty leadership
- Student engagement
- Highly experienced actor, playwright and director
DIRECTING CREDITS (Rose Bruford College)
2024 San Diego (by David Grieg)
2023 Moscow, Moscow, Moscow (by Halley Feiffer) UK premiere
2022 Before, Again (by Steven Dykes after JB Priestley)
2021 Furious! The Ballad of '72 (by Steven Dykes and Callum Hughes)
2020 Desdemona’s Child (Blood Cry) (by Caridad Svich) UK premiere
2019 False Flag / The Liberation Hypothesis (by Steven Dykes)
Blue on Blue (by Steven Dykes)
2018 Secessionville (by Steven Dykes)
Somewhere in England (by Steven Dykes)
The Hairy Ape (by Eugene O’Neill)
2017 In the Republic of Happiness (by Martin Crimp)
2016 Vinegar Tom (by Caryl Churchill)
The Crucible (by Arthur Miller)
Slaughter City (by Naomi Wallace)
2015 After The Fall & Incident at Vichy (by Arthur Miller)
2014 The Blue Hour (by David Mamet)
2013 This Divided Earth (by Steven Dykes)
2012 Casanova (by David Greig)
Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom (by Jennifer Haley) UK premiere
2011 There’s A City In My Mind (by Steven Dykes)
The Penelopiad (by Margaret Atwood)
2010 As It Is In Heaven (by Arlene Hutton) UK premiere
2009 The Children’s Hour (by Lillian Hellman)
Mud, River, Stone (by Lynne Nottage) UK premiere
2008 Ice Cream (by Caryl Churchill)
Gone Missing (by The Civilians)
2007 Machinal (by Sophie Treadwell)
2006 The Means At Our Disposal (by Steven Dykes)
2004 Figures (by Steven Dykes)
2003 Coming To Our Senses (by Steven Dykes & Paul Englishby)
Full List of directing credits available upon request.
ARTICLES and PUBLICATIONS
Member, Editorial Board, Stanislavsky And ... Series (Routledge), The Stanislavsky Research Centre, University of Leeds, School of Performance and Cultural Industries/Research and Innovation, Leeds.
Journal Article: Strange Fruit, Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard in the Deep South, Stanislavski Studies, Volume 4 Issue 2, 185-203, pub Taylor & Francis (London), 2016
Contribution to Journal Article by Professor Nesta Jones, Considering Kolonists, Stanislavski Studies, Volume 4 Issue 1, 13-24, pub Taylor & Francis (London). For this piece Professor Jones contextualised and edited material generated from an extensive interview and further conversations with me as the author of Kolonists, 2016
La Boheme (Leoncavallo) Translation of Libretto - ENO, London, 2000
File on David Mamet - Writer-File Series, London: Methuen, 1991
ACTING CREDITS (Recent)
PLAYER-KINGS, directed by Robert Icke, National Tour, 2024
MACHINAL, directed by Richard Jones, Old Vic Theatre, 2024
PYGMALION, directed by Richard Jones, Old Vic Theatre, 2023
HERE, directed by Robert Zemekis, Playtone Pictures, 2025
FBI INTERNATIONAL, Universal/CBS Studios, 2024
SING YER HEART OUT FOR THE LADS, directed by Nicole Charles, Minerva Theatre, Chichester, 2022
Spotlight https://app.spotlight.com/9813-5611-6522
PLAYWRIGHT CREDITS (select)
Homestead, Brighton Festival (2024), Tristan Bates Theatre, London (2016), Theatre Museum, London (2006)
Glockenspiel, Tristan Bates Theatre, London (2017)
Territories – PTP/NYC, Atlantic Theatre Stage II, New York (2011).
The Spoils [with composer Paul Englishby] – Shady Dolls Theatre Company, Sala El Granero Theatre, Cuenca, Spain and Grimeborn Festival, Arcola Theatre, London (2009)
The Swing Left, North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford, England (2007)
A Light Gathering of Dust – Gateway Theatre, Edinburgh (2001)
amnesia and other means of escape [with composer Paul Englishby] Arts Council of England joint commission with MADAYS - Young Vic Studio (1997)
Kolonists - Bridge Lane Theatre, London (1999), Pelican Studio, New York (1997), Man in the Moon Theatre, London (1995)
The Happiness Compartment - Greenwich Studio Theatre, London (2003), Soho Rep Theatre, New York (1998), Oval House, London (1995)
Visitation [with composer Paul Englishby], Oval House, London (1994)
Full list of produced plays and relevant research available upon request.
OTHER WRITING CREDITS (Librettist)
La Bohéme - ENO, The Coliseum, London - first English language version of Leoncavallo’s opera (2000)
The Flood - An Oratorio [with composer Paul Englishby] - recorded by The Tallis Chamber Choir (1999)
The Score [with composer Paul Englishby] produced by Odyssey Television for the Arts Council / BBC season, Sound On Film, BBC (1999)
Hidden Voices [with composer Paul Englishby] - Mike Grigsby Associates, Fine Cut, BBC (1995)
Pictures on The Piano [with composer Paul Englishby] - produced by Middlemarch Films, Sound on Film, BBC (1994).
SYMPOSIA, PANELS, LECTURE DEMONSTRATIONS & WORKSHOPS
2001 - 2019 Annual International Symposium, Rose Bruford College. Chaired panels, conducted workshops and convened sessions with guest artists, interviewing Dennis Kelly, Professor Oliver Double, Adriano Shaplin and Kwame Kwei-Armah. Platform contributor on ‘Immersive Theatre’ with members of Punchdrunk Theatre Company.
2012 - 14 ‘Black Actor Training in the UK’, ‘New Writing by Black Playwrights’, and ‘Black Theatre practice in the UK’: three year research project. Convened and chaired panels / ran workshops with members from Talawa Theatre Company and the practitioners Clarence Smith and Mojisola Adebayo. Annual International Symposium, Rose Bruford College.
2013 Panelist, Institutional Review by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Review of placement of students on Masters programmes at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.
2013 ‘Howard Barker and the Wrestling School: a symposium’, panel member at plenary session, featuring the playwright himself and other members of the Wrestling School, Rose Bruford College.
2006 South-eastern Theatre Conference (SETC, Orlando, Florida). Chaired panel, ‘A Practical Guide for American Students studying on Exchange Programmes in the United Kingdom’
1999 Co-Producer of ‘Raising the Curtain’: an international symposium forming part of NXT’s November: Fall of the Wall season at the Theatre Museum and Bridge Lane Theatre, London. Speakers included practitioners from theatre companies in Croatia, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. November: Fall of the Wall - a season of plays reflecting on the cultural legacy of the Berlin Wall in the decade following its fall - was produced by NXT (a company I co-founded in 1986) in partnership with the Samuel Beckett Centre, Trinity College, Dublin, the Dramatiska Institutet, Stockholm, and CONCEPTS (Consortium for the Co-ordination of European Performance and Theatre Studies). The month-long series of events received funding from the European Commission as well as Arts Council England (for translation and new writing), The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the Royal Victoria Hall Foundation, Lufthansa, Panasonic, and the Goethe Institut London.
1995 ‘The English Acting Tradition’, Actor, actress on stage, IFTR/FIRT Professors' Conference, University of Quebec, Montreal, Canada. (Actor- Deviser)
1993 ‘New play readings’, New Playwriting in Europe, CONCEPTS, Valencia, Spain.
1992 ‘A Talkative Passion’, specially commissioned programme for tour of American universities including Middlebury College, Vermont; Keene College, New Hampshire; Northeastern University, Boston, USA. (Director/Deviser/Actor)
1991 Member of ATHE (Association of Theater in Higher Education) Delegation to Prague, Moscow and Leningrad. Study / analysis of theatre processes / training in three major centres of excellence, including symposia with practitioners of the Magic Lantern, Prague and Moscow Art Theatre.
‘Pinter's Women’, Second International Women Playwrights Conference, York University, Toronto, Canada. (Deviser/Actor)
‘Pinter and Englishness’, The Pinter Festival: An International Meeting, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA. (Actor)
1990 ‘British Theatre Training’, with members of the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain’s Education Department, Issues of the Nineties, Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), Chicago, USA.
REFERENCES
Nesta Jones FHEA, FRSA
Professor Emerita of Theatre and Performance, Rose Bruford College
11 Timberhill Road
Caterham
Surrey CR3 9LD
nesta.jones1@btinternet.com
Dr Dana Blackstone, PhD
Rose Bruford College
Lamorbey Park
Sidcup DA15 9DF
dana.blacsktone@bruford.ac.uk
Brian Shaw, Professor of Theatre
Columbia College Chicago
School of Theatre and Dance
600 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
bshaw@colum.edu
Timeline
Guest Lecturer
Centre College, Kentucky
02.2006 - Current
Programme Director
Rose Bruford College
01.2001 - Current
Associate Lecturer
Goldsmiths, University of London
09.1996 - Current
Playwright
Various
01.1992 - Current
Actor
Various
10.1988 - Current
Fellow -
The Higher Education Academy
08/2014 -
Post-Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching -
University of Manchester
09/2013 - 01/2014
Bachelor of Arts - English and Drama
Goldsmiths, University of London
10/1983 - 06/1986
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