Darren Daly

Dr Darren Daly is a Lecturer and Programme Leader for the MA in Screen Acting at the University of Salford's School of Arts, Media and Creative Technologies. With 20 years of professional acting experience across stage, screen, and digital media, he operates as a practitioner-researcher integrating industry practice with academic training.

His educational background includes:

• BA (Hons) Performance & Media Arts (1996-1999)
• Graduate Diploma in Acting (2003-2004)
• MA in Text & Performance (2008-2009)
• PhD in Dramatising a Learning Theatre (2016-2020)

Daly's research centers on actor training methodologies for digital performance contexts. Key interests include applying Stanislavski's tempo-rhythm to screen acting, adapting Michael Chekhov's techniques for motion capture, and developing industry-higher education collaborative training models. His work examines how actors maintain psychological presence and physical expressivity when performing with emerging technologies like Unreal Engine.

Recent publications reveal a cohesive research trajectory exploring the intersection of traditional acting techniques with digital performance tools. Daly investigates temporal dynamics in screen acting, actor-camera intimacy, and virtual body representation through motion capture systems. His outputs consistently address practical training applications while theoretically engaging with performance philosophy and technology studies.

Daly actively supervises PhD students on actor training, screen performance, and motion capture topics. As Programme Leader for the MA Screen Acting, he shapes curriculum development emphasizing industry-relevant skills through partnerships with regional theatres and technology companies. His affiliation with the Creative Technology Research Centre facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration on digital performance innovation.