About CETT « Authoring Theatre

The Central School of Speech and Drama was created a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) by HEFCE in 2005 in recognition of its status as one of the leading Higher Education institutions in the country delivering Theatre Training. It is the only cross-institutional CETL and its work recognises and rewards the talent and commitment of the teaching staff of the School, and the exceptional qualities of those who study here.

The Centre for Excellence in Training for Theatre (CETT) supports models of specialist teaching, performance practice and research in training for theatre that have been developed within Central, and further invests in that practice, ensuring that the school is leading the way in offering progressive models of vocational training, a creative interface between industry and educational practice, and a locale for innovative contemporary research.

The award has enabled the School to invest 2 million pounds in state-of-the-art provision for teaching spaces, and annual funding for the development and sharing of innovative practice of which this conference has now become an annual fixture.

Central’s CETT work addresses three areas:

Incubate: developing the best vocational training and learning

Through schemes such as curriculum projects, graduate residencies, CETT fellowships and student professional placement opportunities, CETT ensures that students receive the highest quality and experience in ground-breaking and contemporary working practices which feed directly back into their own advancement as practitioners, and allows the staff who teach to continue to flourish in their individual specialisms, thus enhancing their students’ education and development.

CETT funding has played a major part in the provision of the state of the art rehearsal spaces and innovative design spaces at Central

Projects CETT has supported over the last year include;

- 21st century learning – case studies in theatre training and modes of learning

- Rhizome – a pioneering multi user blog across leading arts institutions

- Graduate preparation and entreprenuership

Interface: where industry and education meet

CETT provides opportunities for students to benefit from a unique interface with industry professionals and ensures increased opportunities to train within cutting-edge theatre practices and technologies through both embedding work with industry professionals into the curriculum and enabling staff of the school to undertake consultancy and knowledge exchange activity. Research and development activities are designed to allow freedom and experimentation within the students’ studies, whilst staying directly in touch with the movements of the current performance industry.

CETT funding and partnership with a number of leading supply companies has enabled the development of state of the art provision both in Central’s historic proscenium arch theatre space and the innovative experimental lighting studio. These spaces are used frequently not just by staff and students but also by our industries to beta test and profile new developments.

CETT projects over the coming year include;

- development of sustainable lighting training with the Arcola Theatre

- professional development training for industry

- national and international partnerships with organisations and industries

Innovate: a laboratory for academic exploration

Pioneering conferences, research-based fellowships and the publication of academic studies make CETT’s work available and accessible to external audiences and participants. CETT works in close collaboration with Central Research to provide a platform for stimulating debate and in-depth examination of performance practices.