William Wollen appointed dean of LAMDA
We are delighted to announce the appointment of William Wollen as executive dean of LAMDA.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of William Wollen as executive dean of the drama school. Will, currently director of education & undergraduate student experience within the division of arts & humanities at the University of Kent, will take up the post on 12 April 2021.
Overseeing our suite of accredited higher education courses, encompassing professional acting, production and technical arts and directing, he will ensure that the highest standards in vocational training are maintained. He will also drive forward our ambition to secure degree awarding powers, having registered as an independent higher education provider in 2018.
In addition to his academic credentials, Will has 20 years’ experience in the UK theatre industry, working as an actor, director, teacher, writer and arts consultant. He worked as assistant director of outreach and touring at The Watermill Theatre and was artistic director of Theatre Royal Margate.
Will Wollen said: “I’m delighted to be joining LAMDA as executive dean of the drama school. There is no doubt this is a challenging time for students, conservatoires and our industry in general, but the pandemic forces us to re-examine what we do. It challenges us to prepare for a future where we will need additional skills to thrive. It challenges us to build on a commitment to diversity and inclusion and connect with the reality of contemporary audiences who are consuming new stories, in exciting ways, told by voices that haven’t always been heard before.
“It also challenges us to be a drama school that looks outwards at the world that is shifting, making sure that our highly skilled graduating students are also socially engaged, confident in their own voice, and empowered to lead, because they are already building what comes next.
“I’m looking forward to getting started with the students and staff team at LAMDA, who are already responding so creatively to the challenge.”
Sarah Frankcom, director of LAMDA said: “I’m thrilled to be welcoming Will to LAMDA. He will lead a newly created faculty at a time when we are evolving how we train the actors, directors and technicians of the future and develop next generation artists for a changing landscape with new challenges and opportunities. Will brings a brilliant combination of relevant industry experience and artistic practice with an exciting approach to innovation in the higher education sector. I can’t wait to start working with him.”
