Biography
Job Title: Vice Principal
Specialisms: Voice, Theatre
Patsy Gilbert has, throughout her career, worked as an actor, singer, educator and community practitioner. Her particular interest in vocal practice led to developing projects such as the Vocal Points programme in 2006 with The Sage, Gateshead which brought together vocal professionals from music, theatre and health to discuss and explore various aspects of vocal production.
After graduating from MA Voice Studies at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Patsy continued to deliver workshops nationally and internationally on singing and spoken voice – working particularly with disparate communities and using singing and spoken voice to promote self-advocacy.
In 2009 Patsy joined St Mary’s University, Twickenham where, as Head of Drama, she was responsible for the development of Drama St Mary's, an Actor training conservatoire within a university setting. She was responsible for the MA Theatre Directing programme in collaboration with the award winning Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond. At St Mary’s she developed a strong educational and academic profile, delivering workshops and papers on vocational training within university settings, as well as widening participation and access for vocational training. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and winner of the Walpole Prize for Teaching and Learning Excellence.
Patsy is a professional singer, arranger and choir leader working nationally and internationally with community and professional choir projects. She is also a trustee at dynamic Halifax-based theatre company Northern Broadsides and was announced as Joint Vice-Chair in July 2023.
