Stephen Simms

Stephen Simms is the Vice Principal of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - Acting and Professor of Actor Education at Birmingham City University, the only individual in the UK holding this title. He leads the Acting department and teaches on its courses. His directing work includes major productions like Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale', 'Two Noble Kinsmen', Beaumont and Fletcher's 'Philaster', Buchner's 'Woyzeck', Wedekind's 'Lulu', and award-winning musicals such as 'Spring Awakening' and 'A Clockwork Orange'. His recent work also includes 'The Revenger's Tragedy' and 'Total Eclipse'.

Research & Teaching Focus: Simms specializes in actor training, classical and contemporary performance techniques, and the intersection of pedagogy with professional theatre practice. His directing emphasizes text analysis and ensemble creation in both traditional and experimental theatrical frameworks.

Production Highlights:

• 'Spring Awakening' (award-winning musical)
• 'A Clockwork Orange' (theatrical adaptation)
• 'Woyzeck' (Buchner's avant-garde drama)
• 'The Revenger's Tragedy' (Jacobean revenge tragedy)

Advising & Collaborations: While no specific student advisees are listed, his role as Head of Acting and Professor implies extensive mentorship of conservatoire students. Collaborations with industry professionals are integral to his teaching methodology.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's Acting department, a nationally recognized center for actor training.