Sunday 14 October marked the official opening of the College’s new Campus by international and award winning guests: Stephen Mear, choreographer and director, and Lara Pulver, actor, Bird graduate and College Patron. The opening celebrated the first time in its history that the college has been able to work from one site. The former school has been very significantly renovated and refurbished and during summer 2018 an entirely new teaching block was added. Following the College’s RIBA architectural competition, they worked very closely with award winning architects Gareth Hoskins. This imaginative and innovative development project was delivered on time and on budget. The Campus is now fully occupied, and it offers the college community an excellent learning and working environment.
Bird College also announced the appointment of Stephen Mear as President. He will be an advocate for Bird College and for the wider dance and musical theatre sector promoting the work of the college as will Gary Avis MBE who was recently announced as a new patron. Both will work alongside existing patrons Christopher Biggins, Baroness Tessa Blackstone, Lara Pulver, Liz Robertson and Dougie Squires OBE.
Principal and Chief Executive, Shirley Coen and Deputy Principal and Artistic Director, Luis De Abreu said: ‘We are so delighted that Stephen has agreed to be the President of Bird College. He has a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience in dance and musical theatre as a performer, director and choreographer. No one better understands the complexities of recognising talented artists in the first instance and providing them with outstanding and multi-disciplined training which is at the heart of the College’s ethos. He is inspirational and highly respected, and we know that he will be a great support to us individually and the whole college community. It is such a privilege to have such a prestigious President and Doreen Bird, the College Founder, would be so very proud. As we are.’
The College is equally proud of internationally acclaimed actor Lara Pulver who graduated from Bird College in 2000 to play the lead role, Peggy Sawyer, in 42nd Street. This was just the start of her glittering career and Lara is equally at home on stage and screen. She and Stephen Mear have collaborated on a range of high-profile musical theatre projects including Gypsy, which received great critical acclaim. Their most recent project is Guys and Dolls at the Royal Albert Hall. She has been a Patron of the College since 2010.