Jason Benson

Jason Benson is a Lecturer in Performing Arts at De Montfort University, affiliated with the School of Humanities and Performing Arts within the Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities. He joined DMU in January 2020, bringing extensive professional experience as a theatre actor and director into his academic role.

Education:

• BA(Hons) Theatre – Bretton Hall College
• PGCE – University of Huddersfield
• MA Advanced Theatre Practice (Directing) – Central School of Speech & Drama

His teaching philosophy centers on using drama and performance to empower students to explore identity and societal issues. He specializes in physical theatre approaches such as Gaulier, SITI (Suzuki & Viewpoints), Grotowski, and Stanislavski techniques, integrating them into both pedagogy and research. His expertise lies in contemporary performance practices, particularly postdramatic and devised theatre.

Jason is currently a PhD candidate at Aberystwyth University, where his research examines the Volcano Theatre Company’s engagement with political aesthetics and Frankfurt School theory. This scholarly focus bridges performance practice with critical theory, reflecting a deep commitment to reflexive and philosophically informed pedagogy.

He teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including modules such as Deconstruction, Physical Theatre, Contemporary Music Theatre, and Performance Making.

Professional Recognition:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Jason remains actively involved in professional actor training, continually enhancing his practice and informing his academic work. While there is no public list of publications or students advised, his research trajectory suggests ongoing contributions to performance studies and critical theory in theatre education.