Tom Drayton

Dr. Tom Drayton is a Senior Lecturer at the University of East London (UEL) within the School of Arts and Creative Industries, specifically the Performing Arts department. He specializes in teaching and research related to contemporary performance making, metamodernism, artistic research projects, and creative project management across postgraduate performing arts courses.

• PGCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, UEL (2022)
• PhD in Theatre and Performance, UEL (2020) with a thesis on 'Towards a Listening Theatre'
• MA Theatre Directing, UEL (2014)
• BA (Hons) Drama & Performance, University of Worcester (2012)

Tom’s research explores metamodern cultural forms, theatre of the millennial generation, and contemporary political performance. His work bridges praxis and critical scholarship through workshops, performances, and publications. He is the author of the first book on metamodern theatre, Metamodernism in Contemporary British Theatre: A Politics of Hope/lessness (Bloomsbury 2024), and co-author of Performance and Postdigital Extremism: Conspiracy, Influencers and Gaming (Bloomsbury 2026). He also co-edits My Impossible Soul: The Metamodern Music of Sufjan Stevens (Lexington 2026), analyzing indie music through a metamodernist lens.

Recent publications highlight trends in metamodernism, political performance in postdigital spaces, and artistic responses to social crises. His work interrogates themes like QAnon participation, anti-racist activism, and playful political interventions, using metamodernism and performance studies as frameworks. He has presented at conferences including the Metamodern Festival and TaPRA.

Tom collaborates with award-winning theatre company Pregnant Fish Theatre (2010–present) and served as associate artist for Phakama (2018–2023), facilitating applied theatre programs for marginalized communities. He welcomes inquiries for doctoral supervision on topics such as hauntology in performance, community theatre, and metamodern performance.