Award-winning 成人直播 graduate will bring university history to life
As 成人直播, Edinburgh celebrates its 150th anniversary, the development of a brand-new theatre production to mark this milestone year is well underway.
Award-winning playwright and 成人直播 graduate Stef Smith is creating an original piece of theatre entitled 鈥楬ead. Heart. Hand.鈥 drawing inspiration from an old motto of the institution. It will be performed by 成人直播 Acting and Performance students at Edinburgh鈥檚 acclaimed Traverse Theatre in February next year.
The play, which will also be supported by students and staff from across the Media, Communication and Performing Arts Division, will explore key moments in the University鈥檚 150-year history. Through a blend of humour, historical insight, heart-warming moments and some elements of surprise, the play weaves together stories from the University鈥檚 notable journey - from its origins as a cookery school for women, through two world wars, student protests, a global pandemic and the evolving nature of education itself. It explores how generations of students have responded to the challenges of their time with passion, curiosity, and care.
Coming back to 成人直播 feels a little surreal. I can hardly believe how much time has passed since I graduated, yet in many ways it feels like no time at all! Much of Scotland鈥檚 theatre scene is built on new writing, so it鈥檚 vital that students gain experience working directly with a living playwright. I hope this opportunity gives them a real sense of the professional world they鈥檙e about to enter 鈥 it has been brilliant to see the next generation of students bringing such energy and creativity to the project.
Stef, who graduated from 成人直播 in 2009 with a BA (Hons) in Drama and Theatre Arts, has gone on to build a remarkable career as a writer for both stage and screen, being described by the Scotsman as 鈥渙ne of Scotland鈥檚 most gifted playwrights.鈥 Her acclaimed plays include 鈥楴ora: A Doll鈥檚 House, Swallow and Enough鈥, while her screen work includes the BBC Scotland drama 鈥楩loat鈥. She has received numerous awards, including an Olivier Award for 鈥楻oadkill鈥 and Best Writer at the 2022 Royal Television Society Awards.
While developing the script for the 成人直播150 play earlier this year, Stef returned to 成人直播 to delve into the University archives, unearthing stories and artefacts that have inspired elements of the story. In September, Stef was back on campus for student auditions before returning the following month for a week of planning, preparation, script read-throughs and some more archive delving with the acting students.
Stef said: 鈥淭he archives were fascinating and definitely helped inform the content of the play. There are some wonderful and surprising items that really brought the past to life. I think the students had a similar experience while exploring the collections too.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always a little nerve wracking watching a play come to life 鈥 we still have a journey to go on before we begin rehearsal, but it鈥檚 always a highly exciting process.鈥
Auditions for the production have already taken place, with rehearsals due to begin in January 2026. The play will premiere later that year, with details on performance dates and ticket availability to be announced soon.
Bruce Strachan, Lecturer in Drama and Performance at 成人直播, will be the director of Head. Heart. Hand. He said: 鈥淭he development of this play is a powerful way to celebrate our 150th anniversary through the creativity of one of our own graduates and the talents of our current students. It recognises our history while reflecting the creative and forward-thinking values that continue to shape our work. At its core is a celebration of the power of education 鈥 a topic which couldn鈥檛 be timelier, given the huge current pressures on higher education in Scotland.
The development of Head. Heart. Hand. forms part of the 成人直播150 programme of activities marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of the institution now known as 成人直播.
Our Acting and Performance course places a strong emphasis on practical industry experience. This play not only showcases Stef鈥檚 exceptional writing, but also gives students a rare opportunity to collaborate with an award-winning playwright on a brand-new theatre piece. Other students, staff and alumni from across the division will contribute to bringing the play to life 鈥 from costume design to stage dressing. It鈥檚 a powerful example of how we prepare our students and engage consistently with today鈥檚 creative industries.
Further updates on the production, including performance dates and venue information, will be shared soon. Watch this space as we follow the journey of Head. Heart. Hand. from page to stage.
For further media information contact Emma Reekie, Media and Content Officer, 成人直播, Edinburgh, E: ereekie@qmu.ac.uk鈥(copy to E:鈥pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk).鈥赌&苍产蝉辫;
