Over the last 18 months the company has expanded its offering for future theatre makers with a new Youth Musical Theatre, the creation of a TOTS section and a brand new partnership with Gosport and Fareham Multi Academy Trust (GFMAT). As a consequence, it became clear to the Trustees that the current Youth and Outreach team needed to be given more resource and structure. The Board were therefore delighted to recently appoint Stuart Hibbard as Director of Education and Learning.

Theatre is in Stuart Hibbard’s blood. During his career Stuart has been an actor, teacher and director, inheriting his love of live theatre from both his parents. Stuart has a first class honours degree in Drama as well as a post graduate diploma from Central School of Speech and Drama. His expertise in Drama in Education will be invaluable as the company continues to expand its education and youth offering.

Born into a family that was always deeply rooted in theatre and in education, Stuart aims to inspire the younger generation with his love of theatre. His father set up community theatre projects in post-war Coventry, its theatres having suffered considerable damage in the conflict. In that period, Stuart’s father – a primary school teacher from Wales – met his mother and both of them had a passion for live theatre. At an early age, Stuart remembers watching his actor father perform on stage as well as crawling under the stage sets as they were being built.

Stuart is an experienced teacher and a former Head of Performing Arts. Appointed in September 2021, in his new role at TFT Stuart will work with the GFMAT to offer nationally recognised qualifications. This partnership means that TFT’s young performers can gain entry to universities and performing arts centres in drama and dance.

Stuart said, “I am delighted to be appointed as Titchfield Festival Theatre’s first Director of Education and Learning. It’s my job to develop the partnership with the Gosport and Fareham Multi Academy Trust together with providing more opportunities for our younger performers locally.

“The facilities at St Margarets Lane, with its two theatres, rehearsal space plus the Great Barn are outstanding. No other performing arts venue can boast that variety of venues. The opportunities presented by our collaboration with GFMAT and our Youth Theatre programmes are amazing. I want to help young people take advantage of these prospects and spread the word about how incredible it is to study in such a busy theatre.”

Titchfield Festival Theatre is also pleased to announce that the theatre will be working with the National Theatre Connections. Stuart will be directing "Find a Partner" by Miriam Battye which will be open to all our 14-19 year olds. The play will be performed in 2022 at TFT but also at the Mayflower Studios in Southampton. TFT is likewise now offering LAMDA training and exams through the theatre.

For more information about Titchfield Festival Theatre, please visit our website titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com, phone 01329 556156 or email us: info@tftheatre.co.uk.