Cara Gray

Cara Gray is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Drama, Theatre and Dance at Royal Holloway, University of London. Her current research focuses on the project "Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination" (September 2024-November 2026), funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which investigates how theatres contribute to their local communities and reimagine concepts of 'the local'.

As a cultural geographer with interdisciplinary expertise, Gray's research explores the cultural geographies of amateur creativity, with particular emphasis on backstage theatre-makers and set-builders. Her work examines how theatre intersects with community life, especially in towns, and how theatrical practices contribute to social experiments and sustainable living. Gray's research methodology often involves ethnographic approaches, including site visits and interviews with theatre practitioners.

Gray's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the relationship between theatre, community, and place, particularly examining how amateur and professional theatre practices intersect in community settings. Her work shows how towns function as 'theatres of social experiment' where new ideas emerge and old ones are recycled.

• Education:
• PhD in Drama, Theatre and Dance, Royal Holloway, University of London (2018)
• MA in Cultural Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London
• BA(Hons) in Human Geography, University of Exeter (Cornwall Campus)

Gray's work contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable communities and cultural preservation. Her research provides valuable insights into how cultural institutions support social cohesion and sustainable development in diverse community contexts, particularly through her examination of volunteer-led theatres and community engagement practices.