Anna McNamara appointed Director of Manchester School of Theatre
26 June 2025
Professor Anna McNamara joins Manchester Metropolitan University as Director of Manchester School of Theatre and Professor of Actor Training.
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Manchester Metropolitan University is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Anna McNamara as Director of Manchester School of Theatre and Professor of Actor Training.
In her new role, Anna will provide strategic and operational leadership for Manchester School of Theatre, which delivers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Acting, Drama and Contemporary Performance, underpinned by pioneering research in performance.
Speaking about her appointment, Professor McNamara said:
“I am delighted to be joining Manchester School of Theatre. It is a privilege to be a part of such a vibrant and dynamic community. I look forward to building on MST’s rich legacy of artistic innovation and industry-leading training, championing and empowering the next generation of creative expression and voices.”
Anna joins Manchester School of Theatre from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), where she was Director of Learning and Teaching. Prior to this, she held a series of senior academic roles at the Guildford School of Acting (GSA).
An award-winning educator, Anna was made a National Teaching Fellow by Advance HE in recognition of her impact and innovation across the creative industries and higher education. She is also a Principal Fellow of Advance HE (PFHEA) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).
She holds a BA in Theatre Studies from Rose Bruford College, following her training in Musical Theatre at GSA. She also has an MA in Education and a PhD in Actor Training. A published editor and international speaker on performance and pedagogy, her editorial credits include Be The Change: Learning and Teaching for the Creative Industries, Inspire: Learning for Teaching in Higher Education, Actor Trainers on Acting: For the Twenty-First Century, and the forthcoming The Women Who Shaped UK Actor Training.
Manchester School of Theatre is part of Manchester Met’s School of English, alongside the Manchester Writing School, and is based in the University’s state-of-the-art Grosvenor East building, home to sector-leading teaching and research facilities including the 180-seat Grosvenor Theatre.
