Joe Sumsion

Joe retains working relationships within the theatre industry, occasionally developing and directing new plays and always seeking to connect Acting students with the industry He also supports students through his role as Second Year Academic Adviser.

Before joining UCLan Acting in 2017, Joe worked extensively as a freelance theatre director for, amongst others, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Nottingham Playhouse, Manchester Youth Theatre and M6 Theatre Company. In 2001, Joe was appointed Artistic Director of Action Transport, a young people’s theatre company in Ellesmere Port, going on to create productions in the UK and internationally with Vulavulani Theatre Company, South Africa. In 2008, Joe joined The Dukes in Lancaster as Artistic Director, leading the creative development of the company and directing many productions including The Hobbit, winner of the 2016 UK Theatre Best Production for Children and Young People Award. Joe has worked extensively with playwrights. In 2007 he edited The Skeleton Key, a book revealing the secrets of writing outstanding plays for and with young people, and he has twice received the Writers Guild of Great Britain Award for Encouraging New Writing. He is currently a board member of the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal and maintains strong connections with the theatre industry.