Mastering multiple passions: Birkbeck Graduate's award-winning achievement

Over the past fifteen years, I have balanced creating theatre and visual art with the demands of running a materials research and design company, all while navigating a decade of chronic pain and hospital visits. This journey led me to reconsider my career path and focus on the long-term.

Some time ago, I was quite ill, and during one of my hospital stays, my youngest daughter asked me over several cups of stewed hospital tea what I wanted to focus on when I recovered. When I mentioned pursuing a Master’s in sustainable materials, she smiled and asked, "What would make you happiest?"

I realised that being in a rehearsal room, making theatre, was my true happy place. She responded, "Well, there's your answer!" This led me to Birkbeck. A Master of Fine Arts at Birkbeck allowed me space, time and focus to hone and develop my craft as a theatre maker, giving it equal weight to my materials research and providing a harmonious balance between multiple passions. I'm delighted to now be graduating with a distinction, alongside winning the Peter Cheeseman Award!